Page 210 of One More Kiss

Chapter12

Johnny

CJ snuck back downstairsand sat at the island.

“Hey beautiful. Hungry?” I asked as I flipped the chicken. It wasn’t anything special, but I had limited means to work with.

She nodded, a slight grin on her face.

“Almost done.” I grabbed plates from the cabinet. “When we bust outta here, I’ll make you some real food.” I plated the chicken and veggies and placed it in front of her before kissing her head.

She grabbed the fork and dug in as I sat next to her with my own plate after grabbing some water for us.

“So, Johnny, this is a little backwards, but tell me about yourself.”

I finished chewing and took a swig of water. “What do you wanna know? Ask me anything.”

“Well, you’re not married, or engaged,” she said with a smirk, “but are you divorced? You have a son. Just wondering how that went down.”

“Sensible question. I met Danny’s mom in town, we were younger and smitten…and irresponsible.” I took another sip of water. “She got pregnant fast, so I asked her to move in, told her I’d take care of them. We talked about marriage, but she said she wasn’t ready. Things went well while she was pregnant. I even bought a ring thinking once he came, she’d be ready. But, once she had him, she was ready to go back to her life I guess.”

“What do you mean? What happened?” Her eyes glistened and a pout formed on her mouth.

“She left us. She told me at least. Said she wasn’t cut out for living in the woods and missed her life.”

CJ put her hand on my arm. “And Danny? Did she…try to see him or—”

I shook my head. “No, when she left, she said she wasn’t cut out to be a mom.” I put my hand over hers. “Hell, I wasn’t sure I was cut out to be a dad, but I knew I loved that little guy more than myself, so I wished her well and figured it out.”

“Alone?”

I waved her off. “Naw. I had my parents for a while. Mom passed first, Dad just a few years back. Danny’s almost nineteen now. Good kid.”

“Well, he sounds lucky to have you. So never married?”

“Nope. What about you?”

She shook her head. “No.” She put a piece of chicken in her mouth.

“Sore subject?”

“I dunno. I wasn’t one of the girls who dreamed of the fairytale wedding or anything, but there were a few times I thought things were great, but I was horribly wrong.”

“Kids?”

She shook her head.

“Did you not want kids?”

She put her fork down and sighed. “I guess we’re past personal.” She sipped her water and I turned to her. “I did want them. But things just didn’t work out that way. Spent too much time with one loser, who coincidentally had kids while we were together, just not with me.”

I cringed at her story. How could someone who called themself a man do that to her? She continued with a shrug.

“After I finally moved on from that mess, I just never found the right person. Now, it’s too late for me.” My brow furrowed, confused. “Menopause.”

“Ah. You don’t look old enough for that.”

“Good response. But I’m 45. It started a few years ago and now; I don’t have to worry about pads or tampons anymore.” She started to grab her fork again, then looked at me with a grin. “Speaking of such things, where did the box of condoms come from earlier?”

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