always be unforgivable. You promised me you loved me, and we were going to be together no matter what. You promised me the world and you’d never turn your back. Well, ya did, ya piece of crap. I hate you so much. I hate you for leaving me and not wanting to get to know Alex. He’s perfect. The best little boy a parent could ask for. If I ever see you again, I promise I’ll come after you guns blazing. Don’t ever cast a shadow on my life again. Good day!”
I groan and die a little more with each word Gina reads from the text I sent Clayton.
“And another thing. You got fat and ugly!” She laughs and pushes my shoulder. “You know he didn’t.”
She rubs the salt in a little harder. “I know.” I hate that he looks better than before.
Hate it.
My brain’s still processing the events from last night. Hot mess alert. This isn’t me. I’m a mom and a nurse. I care for precious kids. I’m a damn professional, and here I am, acting like some high school teenager.
Gina tugs my arm away from my face and squeezes my hand, letting me know she’s here for me.
“You know it’ll be okay. Right?”
“I don’t know. What if he gets a lawyer and shows the lawyer those messages? I’ll be so screwed. I should call him and apologize or something.”
“Maybe he’ll laugh at this and think you’re cute. You can’t stress about this right now, girl. You know damn well Clayton would never get lawyers and do anything to hurt you.
“I can’t.” This time I bring my arm back over my face and pray to the heavens that he never got those texts.
My attention snaps to my phone as it vibrates next to me. There are a few possibilities as to who would be calling me, and I’m dreading the idea of the caller being Clayton. I shove the cell phone in Gina’s hands, then pull the pillow from under my head, and place it over my face.
“It’s your mom.”
“Oh.” My eyes open, and I take the pillow off my face, taking the phone. “Hi, Mom. How’s everything going?”
“You sound hungover. Holding up okay?”
“Nope. But it’s life. How’s Alex?” Luckily, Alex doesn’t have camp today, and Leigh’s coming over to take him to lunch. “Thank you again for watching him last night and right now.”
“You don’t have to thank me. He’s my grandson, and I love watching him. He’s doing well. Leigh’s here, and they’re ready to go. Do you want to talk to him?”
“Please.” I wait and hear shuffling and then Alex’s excited tone.
“Hey, Mom. Are you okay?”
“Yeah, honey. Of course, I am. Sorry, I slept over at Aunt Gina’s. I heard you had fun with Grandma, and now you’re going out with Aunt Leigh?”
“Yep. Aunt Leigh got me cool toys. I didn’t open any. I know you like to be here when I do.”
I smile. My little boy’s the sweetest. “You’re sweet to wait for me. When you get back, I’ll be there waiting for you. I hope you have a lot of fun today. I love you, Alex.”
“I love you too, Mama. Bye!”
“Bye.” I wait for the call to disconnect before reopening the text messages. In horror, I see the read status under the message. “He read it. He read it!”
“Oh, shit.” Gina laughs hysterically.
There’s no humor behind this. Clayton’s going to use this against me somehow, and I need to find a way to stop him. I have to.
When I get home, Alex is still out with Leigh, and my mom’s most likely running errands. The quietness inside is welcoming. I slump on the couch, remembering the way Clayton looked at me.
Clayton was always handsome. There was no doubt about it. His eyes were dark brown with specks of honey, and I always got lost when I looked at them. There were times I caught him staring at me, and I melted. His eyes always captured me. I felt everything when he looked at me. I felt his love with one look and knew he was the man I wanted.
Not wanting to sit around in the quiet house, I grab my phone from my back pocket and play a song. I need something to distract me so I don’t fall apart again.
Chapter 15
Clayton
Slumping against the back of my chair, I re-read the text messages from last night. My girl can’t hold her liquor. It’s comical, and I had a good laugh last night.
Seeing her