little arms around my neck and holds me tight. “I have a mommy and daddy.”
We walk into the house, and I’m ready for questions from my mom. She didn’t call me today, so I might be safe. I can only hope she didn’t get wind of what’s going on from Dana and Leigh. My mother’s not a fan of Clayton, and I know she won’t be happy when she finds out he’s back.
If only I could turn back time.
My mother meets us at the door. “Hi, honey. How was camp?”
“My birthday wish came true. I have a daddy, and he’s here.”
Jaw.
Drop.
Wine.
Pronto.
My mother whips her head in my direction, and I cover my face, shaking my head, remembering she was in the shower when Clayton decided to come rolling back into my life.
“Alex, we can talk more about this in a little bit? Once you wash your hands and face, you can pick out your snack.”
“Okay.”
I watch him walk into the kitchen and turn to face my mother. “Don’t. I have no idea what I’m going to do. This is all new to me. I had no idea he was going to come back. He came over this morning, and Alex saw. I’m at a loss. I told Alex I can arrange for Clayton to come by. Seriously I need a muzzle or something.”
“Ashley. No, you did not tell that child he can see his father. This isn’t right. That man lost his rights when he abandoned you. Do not give him another chance. If you do, you’re just showing him he can do whatever he wants. A man like him takes and takes. He doesn’t care about who he hurts or what he does.”
“I didn’t know what else to say. I can’t keep Clayton away from Alex. He knows about him now. And if he’s the same man from before, he’s going to want a relationship with his son. I don’t know what his endgame is, but he’s not going away any time soon. What if he gets lawyers, and we have to go to court?”
“Then we go to court. You need to protect Alex. No matter what, Alex is your number one priority. Don’t let him fool you.”
I sigh and let my head hang. “He’s my number one priority. That’s what I’ve been doing since the day he came into this world. I’ll always protect him, but I can’t let him not see Clayton. He knows about him. They know about each other. I’d rather be civil with Clayton and get it over with. I don’t want to be dragged through court and put Alex through that ordeal. This is me protecting him.”
“You need to do something.” She huffs and places her hands on her hips. “This is a serious matter. That man should not have access to Alex or you. You cannot give him another chance.”
“Can you not right now, Mother? I’m freaking out. It’s been so long since I saw him, and ya know, the first time I see him, I wanted it to be without Alex. Sugar noodle stick.”
“Sugar noodle stick?” she repeats and takes a step toward me, reaching over and taking my jacket from my hand. “Why don’t you go take a shower and have a breather. I’ll stay with Alex. You need to figure out what you’re going to do.”
“Thanks. I appreciate it.”
“No problem, honey. Now go.”
I walk to my bedroom and shut the door. Sitting on my queen-sized bed, I place my head in my hands.
Remembering his eyes and the way he looked at me.
Damn you, time.
It did nothing to him except make him more attractive. The way he stares at me, like I’m the only woman in the world, still makes me weak and ache for him
I remember everything.
His touch, his scent, the way he’d hold me in his arms, and the way we made love, which I didn’t know that feeling he evoked existed.
There were so many times I’d relive our moments together. I clung to those feelings and how he made me come alive. My world felt complete. Everything fell into place when he was with me and by my side. There was no greater feeling than when we were together.
My phone starts ringing from my pocket, and when I reach to get it, I see Clayton’s name. I’m watching his name on my screen until it disappears.
Deep breaths, I tell myself and wait for the alert that I have a new voice message. Right now, my emotions are