Page 59 of Rooster

Chad:

I know, but we were invited in on a big hunt.

He will want to go.

Me:

I’ll talk to him, but we already have plans.

Chad:

What plans?

Me:

I’ll talk to Nathan and get back to you.

Chad:

I miss you.

Me:

Don’t.

Chad:

But I do.

We had a good thing.

We can again.

Me:

It’s not going to happen. You need to stop.

Chad:

I’m not giving up on us.

Me:

Goodbye, Chad.

I tossedmy phone back on the nightstand and collapsed into bed. I was exhausted, but I couldn’t stop thinking about Chad and his stupid messages. I was growing very tired of his nonsense, and I wasn’t sure how to make him stop. It was a thought that weighed on my mind as I drifted off to sleep.

The next morning, I got up early and took a quick shower. Once I was dressed, I woke the kids, and twenty minutes later, we were in the car and headed to my parents. I hadn’t gotten far when the nerves started to kick in. I hadn’t had the chance to tell them about Ronin, and I wasn’t sure how they would take the news, especially my mother.

She got me better than anyone, and while I knew she would want me to be happy, she hadn’t forgotten how hard it was for me to get over what happened with Chad. Those wounds ran deep, and being the protective mother she was, she wouldn’t want me to get hurt again—not when I was finally getting back on my feet.

I didn’t either. In fact, it was the last thing I wanted and one of the many reasons why I hadn’t let myself get too carried away with him. I would let myself like him a lot, but I wouldn’t give him my heart until I knew for certain that he would take care of it.

As soon we got to the house, I parked the car, took a deep breath, and turned to the kids. "Okay, guys, we're here. Now remember, you haven’t seen your grandparents for several weeks. They’ve missed you and will want to spend some time with you. So, hang around and talk to them for a bit. And keep the phone time down to a minimum. Just while we’re here.”

Nathan and Samantha exchanged annoyed glances, then grumbled, “Yes, ma’am.”

I opened the car door, and together, we walked up the path to the front door. As soon as we stepped onto the porch, the door opened, and Mom and Dad welcomed the kids with warm hugs and smiles. Once she’d hugged them both, Mom turned her attention to me. She was squeezing me tightly as she said, “Oh, my goodness. It’s been too long.”

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