Love and Sorrow (Small Town Secrets Book 5), стр. 51

Justin smiled, once more playing innocent.  “So soon?”

With a nod, he stood.  “Yes.”

I wasn’t about to grill him about a supposed Saturday meeting and actually felt a little relieved—but I also felt like a total jerk and wanted to try to smooth things over.  “Sorry you have to go, Kevin.  You sure you don’t want to stay a little longer?”

Devon protested.  “But we didn’t finish the game.”

But Kevin had already moved to the living room where he found his jacket.  “I declare you the winner, Devon.  You’re quite a skillful game player.”

“Thanks.”

Sarah even got up, moving to the doorway of the kitchen.  “Thanks for coming, Mr. Campbell.”

“Thanks for having me.”

In a flash, Kevin reached the front door and I could barely keep up with him.  “Did you want to take any of your stuff with you—the wine, salad, or some spaghetti?”

“No.  It’s all yours.  Thanks again for having me.”  Half-heartedly, he waved as he walked through the door.  In case I’d had any doubts, the fact that he didn’t kiss or even try to hug me was a dead giveaway.  There was no meeting tomorrow; there was only immediate discomfort that had to be relieved.

“Thanks for coming.”  As I shut the door, I noticed my breath in the cool night air.  Before turning around, I paused, drawing another deep breath into my lungs.  I couldn’t stop myself from growing angry.

Too angry.

As I walked back to the kitchen, Justin was already amusing the kids with a magic trick involving one of the dice—but he and I needed to talk.  “Kids, it’s time to go brush your teeth.”

“Aw, mom,” my son whined.

“It’s nine-thirty, Devon.  I let you stay up late tonight.  But it’s time to get ready for bed now.”  Reluctantly, he got up, frowning, and started walking toward the bathroom reluctantly, Sarah right behind him.  Goddamn.  I needed a cigarette.

As soon as the kids were out of earshot, I hissed, “What the hell was that about?”

“What?”

“Quit the innocent act, Justin.  It’s getting old.”

“Oh, come on, Randi.  It was all in fun.”

“Fun for you, maybe.  Confusing for the kids, awkward and embarrassing for me, and downright cruel to Kevin.”

“That’s what he gets for being a perv on a first date.  Fuck him if he can’t take a joke.”

“Why are you such a dick sometimes?”

“Rascal, someday you will look back on this and laugh.  I promise.”

“And if I don’t?”  I simply glared at him and then found my cigarettes.  As soon as the kids were done, I was going outside.  In that instant, Sarah and Devon both appeared in the kitchen doorway.  I said, “That was awfully quick.  How well did you brush your teeth?”

Devon spoke.  “Good.  Do you wanna smell my breath?”

“No, I trust you.”  I hugged then kissed him.  “Get your pjs on and then get in bed.  Sleep tight.”

“I want Justin to tuck me in.”

Sarah said, “Me, too.”  Holy hell.  I was still blown away by Sarah’s response to Justin.  Good grief—how had I never before noticed how much my kids adored him?  Was it because I’d been immersed in my own emotions for the man?

“All right, all right.”  Justin finally stood.  “Just gimme a sec.”

“Get your pajamas on.  Sarah, come here,” I said, giving her a hug and kiss as well.  “Sweet dreams, honey.”

I decided I’d let Justin tuck the kids in bed, but then I was going to read him the riot act and send him on his merry way.  Why the fuck had I even told him about Kevin and me?  Damn him.

Grabbing my cigarettes, I went into the utility room by the back door to have at least half a smoke.  As I sucked it into my lungs, I felt my pulse slowing—and then I allowed myself to walk through the house to see what was going on with the kids.

Peeking into Devon’s room, I spotted smooth Justin sitting on the edge of my son’s bed, having located his favorite book.  Justin was reading to him and, had I not been so angry with the man, my heart might have swelled at the sight.

I headed back to the kitchen and put the board game away before cleaning up what was left in the kitchen.  That whole time, I could hear Sarah and Justin—and my daughter actually laughed.  It sounded like music to my ears, melting the ire in my chest, and I sat down, fighting back tears.  When Justin came in, he said, “All tucked in.”

But I couldn’t bring myself to look at him.

“Don’t tell me you’re still pissed off.”

“Exactly what do you expect?”

“Aw, come on, Randi.”

And then my cell phone rang.  Lateness in the evening aside, my blood began boiling again when I saw who it was.  “Hello?”

“This is Chelsea.  I wondered if Justin is there.”

I rolled my eyes.  Why hadn’t she called his cell?  Not that I cared at the moment.  “Yeah.  Just a second.  I think he was just getting ready to leave.”  Unable to stop from scowling, I handed him my phone while mouthing the word, “Girlfriend.”

While he dealt with her, I took the board game to the living room and put it the closet.  Based on how Justin seemed to be growing as angry as I was, I could only imagine what was being said on the other end of the phone.

And I almost laughed out loud.

“Goddammit, woman, I don’t have a leash attached to my neck.”  He paused, pressing his fingers into the table.  “I never said we were doing anything tonight.  I already told you Randi and I are friends, and you can’t stop that.  You need to get a life.  One without me.”

At that point, I couldn’t help but smile, but I tried to hide my face from Justin—because this was karma in action.  I leaned against the table, relishing the moment as he began pacing.

“Think what you want.”  Justin stopped by the fridge, splaying his right hand on the refrigerator.  “Whatever.  Know what?  I’m gonna fuck the shit outta my friend