Page 44 of Where Love Lies

“Honey, I’m not disappointed. I just want you to be safe.” My words are dipped in understanding, needing her to know I have no intention of being the bad guy, but sometimes, I’m going to piss her off if it means keeping her safe.

Done with her braids, I kiss the top of her and stand. “You’re still grounded, though.”

She scoffs, looking up at me with angry eyes.

“Mom!”

“Now, go take a shower. You smell like a skunk.” I ignore her outburst, gaining an eye-roll.

The front door slams. Heston is back.

“Might want to make sure your new husband is okay,” she sneers, and my lips thin with frustration over the entire situation. I open then close her door behind me. I might baby Paige, but I don’t agree with putting my hands on her like Heston did. Heston is to be my husband and that means we’ll have to parent Paige together. We’ll have to come to an agreement on how to do that moving forward. Because physical discipline is not an option!

Heading down the stairs, my hand sliding along the rail, I can hear him in the kitchen opening drawers and cabinets. Rounding the foyer, I spot him behind the kitchen island, his face and chest sweaty as if he just went for a run. Placing his hands on the granite, he slowly lifts his head until our eyes lock.

“I’m sorry,” he grovels. Exhaling, I drop my arms and walk through the living room until I reach the other side of the kitchen island.

“What made you think that was okay?” I assert, my nostrils flaring. His silence pushes me to continue, “You need to remind yourself that you aren’t her father!” I slap my hand on the granite, but he doesn’t even blink. In fact, he seems unfazed by my anger.

“Got it.” His monotone makes me sigh. Pressing my elbows on top of the counter, I reach for his hand and hold it.

“Just, don’t do it again, Heston. She’s going to test you, us. That’s what kids do and it’s up to us to keep a clear mind and redirect. We’re partners and when one of us gets too frustrated then the other needs to step in.”

Lowering his head, we stand in silence for a few seconds before he looks back up at me.

“You’re right. I just don’t want the neighborhood painting Paige in a bad image when I know how amazing of a kid she is. Kids need discipline. They have to have it to become civilized individuals.”

His hand squeezes mine, and I look up at him.

“I love you.” He smiles.

My grin freezes on my lips, the corners of my mouth turning down and I façade a smile. He keeps saying he loves me while hurting me over and over. A game of chess played by the devil that I’ll never win.

23

A few days later

“Love you!” I kiss Paige’s head, and she runs off toward her dad’s truck at the end of the driveway. My eyes lock on Cam’s, the tension buzzing in the air between us. Breaking my stare, I turn around and head back inside, the sound of Cam’s truck filling the small space between the houses as he drives away. Shutting the door behind me, Heston claps his hands, then rubs them together, looking over the spread he created on the kitchen island. Pepperoni, ham, four different sliced cheeses, and crackers. Simple but amazing. A lot of people asked about the wedding date and wanted to see the ring, so we thought a get-together to hang out would be perfect, so we invited all of our neighbors over, including Layla’s mother, Melanie. I don’t think she’ll come though; she stays inside with the twins every day. I know nothing about her beside the fact that she cleans, cooks, and tends to four children.

“It looks good. You did amazing.” I wrap my arms around him, and he kisses the top of my head, his hand rubbing along my bare back, the dark blue romper leaving the skin exposed.

The doorbell rings, and I pull away from him to greet our guests.

“Hey!” Tenly beams, her arms open wide for a hug.

Laughing at how excited she is, I accept her embrace, then we both head inside.

She instantly spots the food. “This looks so yummy, guys!”

“It was all Heston. If it had been left to me, we’d be having chips and store-bought cookies.”

“Mmm, I bet.” She tries to act as if she’s simply agreeing with me, but there’s more behind her words. A shadow of criticism. I’m starting to see why Owen always wants to fight with her. “You know what? I have a girlfriend who does these for her Instagram. She always adds a piece of fruit to the spread to give it a burst of color!” She flicks her fingers out like she’s miming an explosion.

I place my hands in my pockets, and Heston’s eyes lock on mine, silently conveying that he wants to tell Tenly to fuck off but won’t.

The door opens, and Owen and Flynn’s voices fill the house. Owen, in his white shirt with a salmon-colored sweater over his shoulders, steals the attention from Flynn, who is more casually dressed in a green button-up and dark blue jeans, his loafers as clean as can be. They both carry a bottle of wine, still arguing over which one should be brought to the get-together.

“Hey guys!” I attempt to interrupt. Owen finally looks at me and smiles joyfully.

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