10. Cort
CHAPTER 10
Cort
“M aybe we should stay,” Tyler suggests as he helps me straighten up in the kitchen. “If we’re here, then her dad won’t be an ass, right?”
Evan looks at me, his gaze troubled. “How can he be disappointed in her? What did she do wrong?”
Scrubbing a hand over my face, I try to think of a delicate way to explain that the issue is I used to sleep with her mother, and now I’m fucking obsessed with Darling.
Ty beats me to it as he rolls his eyes. “Ever heard of double dipping?”
“Christ, Ty,” I groan, turning to the slow cooker to check on the meatballs inside. “The issue, Ev, is that Darling used to be my stepchild, even though it was a long fucking time ago. It’s a lot for people to get their heads around.”
“But it’s not like you sought her out. You guys connected because Mom loved her hair and wanted me to get my colour right.” Love the kid’s innocence; he won’t have it for much longer.
“Seems simple enough,” I agree. “But when you’re a parent, it’s not so easy to accept. One day, you’ll understand the intricacies of parenting and all the pitfalls you want to protect your children from.”
“Sooooo, he doesn’t just want her happiness?” Evan shakes his head as he grabs a carrot stick from the cutting board. “Seems kind of selfish to me.”
“I’m sure he wants her happiness. He was likely expecting it to happen with someone closer to her own age and not someone who formerly had a relationship with her mom.”
“Dude, it’s dirty and taboo.” Ty laughs at Evan’s lack of understanding.
“Go get ready for your mom; she’ll be here in a few minutes.”
I shoo them away, needing a minute to prepare for how tonight will play out. We had talked about going to her house but then figured if we were here and Collin wanted to leave, he could and wouldn’t have to worry about kicking out his daughter.
“I’m here!” Mary says, entering the house. She doesn’t know about me and Darling yet, and my woman will be home any minute.
Now or never. “In here,” I call out, opening the can of tomato sauce for the meatballs and mixing it into the slow cooker. “I’ve got to talk to you about something, and I need for you to listen before speaking.” I hand her a small glass of white wine.
Mary raises a brow but sits on one of the island’s chairs. “Alright, let's hear it.” She takes a sip from the glass as the boys re-enter the kitchen, ready to head home with her.
“Darling and I are together.” Crossing my arms, I lean against the counter and wait for her to speak.
“Darling, my hair stylist?” She cocks her head to the side.
“Yes.”
“Darling, your ex-wife’s daughter?” The boys share a look behind her.
“Yes, again,” I sigh.
“The girl who was our sons’ sister for a time?”
Now, I’m getting annoyed.
“Yes, Mary. Darling Lavigne. We’re together. I’m hoping she’s already pregnant, and I intend to marry her and spend the rest of my life proving I’m worthy of someone like her.” I don’t mince words because I need more people in Darling’s corner in case things go bad with her dad tonight.
“Will she still do my hair?” Mary hides a sly grin behind her wineglass, and I roll my eyes.
“Jesus, woman. I’m sure she will if you ask her.”
“Works for me. The boys okay with this?” she asks, obviously not realizing they’re both behind her.
“Who do you think pushed him into it?” Tyler says.
“Well, if they’re on board, then who am I to stand in the way of young love?” She snickers at her own joke, poking at the age difference. “Can I assume you’re inviting her parents for dinner to break the news?” She waves her hand towards the food I’m preparing.
“Her dad. She told him already, but he didn’t take it well. If I have my way, she’ll never see her mother again. That narcissistic bitch nearly ended her life before it began.” I’m still fucking livid that Kelly had that much hate for her own child.
“We can stay if you need. If Darling needs,” Mary offers, the same as Tyler did.
“No, she wants to do this with just the three of us,” I explain. “I think she’ll have a hard time if he rejects our relationship, and I’m sure she won’t want witnesses to it.”
“Alright, we’ll get out of your hair, then. Give me a call on Sunday; let me know how things go?”
I nod and walk them out, promising Ty I’ll be at his game on Monday and reminding Evan about his driving lessons for the next week.
As they pull away, Darling drives up. She hadn’t wanted to be here when I told Mary about us, not wanting the other woman to feel forced into accepting our relationship by her presence.
“Flowers?” I raise a brow, seeing the two bouquets in her arms.
“I didn’t know how long you would need, so after I grabbed dessert”–she holds up a layered chocolate cake–“I thought flowers would be nice.”
Taking the cake from her, I lean down and kiss her forehead. “Everything is going to be fine, babe. You’ll see.” I hope I don’t eat my words.
We’ve barely gotten the flowers in the vase before the doorbell rings, and Darling is on the verge of tears.
“I hope he doesn’t hate me,” she whispers as I pull her into my arms before we head to the door.
Opening it, Collin stands there with a bottle of wine and a younger version of Darling beside him.
“Holy shit,” my woman mutters.
“We have some things to talk about,” Collin says as he hands me the bottle and pulls Darling in for a tight hug that makes her sob into his shoulder.
“Hi,” the young woman says to me, holding out a hand. “I’m Lilac, Collin’s other daughter.”