we’ll talk about a good time for us to meet, talk, and when it’ll be good for you to meet Alex.”
“I understand. Please know I am here for you.”
She slowly nods her head. “I know you are.”
Chapter 14
Ashley
Working overtime while raising an energetic five-year-old and trying to avoid your ex is not good.
No.
It’s exhausting.
After Alex was born and I went back to work, I pulled long nights and signed up for overtime as much as I could. Having a baby with a single income wasn’t ideal. The bills were coming, and I refused to take money from my family. Gina offered, but I told her I was fine. I made it through endless nights. Luckily, Alex slept through the night. He was the perfect baby for my mom while she stayed with him while I worked. During the day, he napped, and I did too. My sisters were worried I wasn’t cherishing my time with Alex, but I was. I worked for him.
For us.
On the nights I wasn’t working, we went to the park and adventures. Everything I did was for Alex. If I started to feel we weren’t spending enough time together, I cut back on overtime and took the necessary time off.
Nothing got in the way of us.
Unfortunately, now, something’s in the way.
Clayton.
Every time I close my eyes, I could feel the ghost of his presence holding me, whispering how much he loves me, and his lips gently pressing against mine.
Then there’s the hurt in his eyes when I tell him I need more time. Tell him I’m fine without him, and there’s no way he can be in Alex’s life.
That look, it haunts me and makes me feel like I’m the bad guy. Deep down, I know I’m not, and I know I need to take this slow.
Clayton and I had a relationship that ignited our souls. It was a fire, and it burned so brightly. But like fires, it gets washed and put out.
I pick up my phone and text Gina.
Ashley: I need to go out.
Have you ever done something you know is a bad idea but said fuck it and did it anyway, knowing full well shit would hit the fan?
That would be me. I’m that person.
In a matter of two meetings, my world comes to an abrupt halt to reality. Never in a million years did I think Clayton would come to my house and want to see Alex and me.
Never in a million years did I think Clayton would stalk me and confront me in a parking lot.
After telling Gina about what’s going on and how Clayton’s back, her brilliant idea was to go out drinking and dancing. I’m a sucker when it comes to my best friend. If she says we’re going out drinking and dancing, if my mom is okay with watching Alex, I’m usually there with her. It doesn’t happen often, but I take a break from mom life at least once a month to hang out with my girlfriends. Most of the time, we hang out at Gina’s house and drink some wine, eat food that’s horrible for us, and relax. It’s our getaway from reality.
This time, Gina wanted to go big or go home. And boy, we sure did go big. How I’m feeling, level ten hungover, isn’t the only thing I’m regretting. I look over and see Gina passed out on her bed. I blame her for everything that happened.
Reaching over, I pick up my phone from the nightstand and unlock it with my finger, immediately shutting my eyes.
“Gina.” I groan, picking up a pillow to hit her with. “Wake up.”
“What?” She groans and turns toward me. “How and why are you awake?”
I cover my eyes with my hand and let out a screech. “Do you know what I did last night?”
“Take massive amounts of shots with your best friend. It was a good night. You needed it.”
I scoff. “Yeah, lots of shots, but I also texted Clayton.”
“Yeah, I know,” she states matter-of-factly. “I dared you, and you did it.”
I slump deeper into the bed, praying a dark hole will open and swallow me whole. Alex will be safe with my mom, sisters, and Gina. I can never face anyone again. Especially not what I sent him.
“Clayton, you arrogant son of a bitch. How dare you come back into my life? How dare you think I’d want my son to get to know you? You left me when I needed you the most. What you did will