Chapter Nine #2
I cross my arms over my chest as they go back and forth, discussing my marriage as if they’re picking out an outfit for a random night out versus my actual life.
“What if he moves there for her instead? At least he’d be happy…” Aunt JoJo continues.
“I don’t like that idea,” Mom replies. “If they have kids, I’ll never see my grandchildren.”
“Oookay…” I drawl, interrupting the shitstorm of possibilities.
Pushing off the counter, I wave my hand between their faces.
“Only Maisie and I will be discussin’ what happens next, and that’s only if she wants to give it another shot.
The deal was I had to make her change her mind about the divorce, so there’s no point in talkin’ about what’s next unless she does. ”
“We wanna see you happy again, honey. You’ve been a shell of yourself for too long. You deserve to find someone who wants to be with you as much as you wanna be with ’em.”
“I know, Mom. And if she still wants a divorce, I’ll give it to her and find a way to move on, then.”
I grind my molars because the thought of moving on makes my stomach twist.
She rounds the counter, wraps her arms around me in a hug, and I give her one in return.
“Just guard your heart, okay? You’re still in love with her, but she’s in love with someone else, and that scenario never ends well.”
Even though I’m well aware of the consequences I could face after spending time with her this week, Mom’s words stab a dagger through my chest. It’s one thing to go through the pain in secret, but the more people who find out, the more will witness the aftermath—which is why I didn’t want anyone else to know.
“You can say no, but…” Aunt JoJo drawls, glancing between my mom and me. “Invite her to the restaurant tomorrow night and I’ll make sure it’s in a private area for the two of you.”
“That sounds awfully romantic,” Mom says in her disapproving tone.
“I thought the whole point was to make her fall in love with him again?” Aunt JoJo scowls. “What better place to take her than the Summit Views Restaurant, which was designed to help couples reconnect? Plus, tomorrow’s special is lamb chops.” She grins proudly.
It’s obvious my mother isn’t on board, but it does sound nice.
“If I bring her, do you promise not to embarrass me?” I ask, pinning my gaze to hers.
“Of course! I’ll even leave my Warren hearts Maisie T-shirt at home.”
I roll my eyes, already regretting this, but I can push my original plans to another day.
“Alright, fine. Can you get us a table for six?”
Mom opens her mouth like she wants to say something but then clamps it shut.
“Yep, I’ll make it work. It’ll be the most romantic table in the whole place. Fairy lights, roses, a private violinist?—”
“Okay, that’s not necessary.”
“—chocolate-covered strawberries, candles, and a view of the mountains that’ll have her wishin’ she never has to leave.” Aunt JoJo sighs in delight at her obnoxious ideas.
Mom stares at her and Aunt JoJo furrows her brows in confusion. “What?”
“Keep it simple, okay? I’m not tryin’ to scare her. ”
Aunt JoJo gives me a thumbs-up. “Sure, okay, yeah.”
Why do I have a feeling she’s gonna do the exact opposite?
After we say goodbye and I gently push them out of my house, I grab my phone to text my least favorite brother.
Warren
You. Are. Dead.
Bodie
THEY FORCED IT OUT OF ME!
Warren
If you have plans in the near future, cancel them. You’ll be too busy working overtime and sore from what I’m about to make you do.
Bodie
OH COME ON! I didn’t tell them anything bad!
Warren
Emptying all the water troughs and scrubbing them clean with a toothbrush, picking rocks in all the pastures and corrals, and sheath cleaning all the stallions.
Bodie
DUDE. No fucking way am I doing all that or touching a horse’s dong. You act like I rented out a billboard and told the entire town!
Warren
This will remind you to shut your piehole next time, won’t it?
Bodie
Seven years of no sex turned you into an asshole. The punishment doesn’t fit the crime!
Warren
Mom and Aunt JoJo barged into my house while I was trying to sleep and wouldn’t leave until I told them everything, so I think the crime fits perfectly.
Bodie
Not like you wouldn’t have told them eventually.
I roll my eyes, no longer in the mood to argue with him. Instead, I check on my cheesecake before making myself something to eat since there’s no chance of me falling back asleep.
When my phone vibrates with a text from Maisie, I choke on my food at the near naked photos on my screen.
Maisie
Which one? I’m mildly freaking out about being in a swimsuit around him and can’t decide which one is less slutty.
It’s obvious this message wasn’t for me, but I can’t help teasing her and replying as if it was.
Warren
The sluttier the better in my opinion.
My phone immediately rings.
“Well, hello…” I can’t help the smile on my face.
“Oh my God, that was not meant for you!” she spits out in one breath.
“No way?” I gasp in shocked amusement. “Because I thought the mirror ass selfie of you in that purple skimpy string bikini made perfect spank bank material. ”
“Warren,” she grinds out between her teeth. “Delete ’em.”
“No.”
“Warren, please . I sent ’em accidentally.”
“And who did you mean to send your half-naked ass to?”
“My agent friend, Jessica. I haven’t worn a swimsuit in years, so I was panickin’ about how I looked in one.”
“Why? And I’m askin’ genuinely because you look amazin’.”
I had to tell my cock to calm down the second I saw them.
She’s quiet for a moment before she clears her throat.
“My body’s changed a lot over the years, especially the more I worked and the less active I got.
I know it’s normal for things to change as we get older, but it doesn’t make me any less self-conscious when it comes to wearin’ a bikini around a man who saw my body at fifteen. ”
“Maze, you have nothin’ to worry about with me. And for what it’s worth, I much prefer your womanly body over a teenager’s going through puberty. That’d be criminal if I preferred that at my age.”
She chuckles and the softness of it sends a wave of relief through me.
“That’s true. I’m overthinkin’ this, aren’t I?”
“I want you to be comfortable, so if a swimsuit is too much, then don’t wear one.”
“I already told you I’m not skinny-dippin’…”
“No!” I bark out a laugh. “That’s not what I meant. Wear shorts and an oversized T-shirt for all I care. I just thought it’d be fun to swim where we spent a lot of our summers. Plus, you can’t beat the sunset views from there.”
“Okay, well, thank you for talkin’ me off the ledge. There’s a cute one-piece that I tried on earlier that I’ll buy instead.”
“Perfect. Can’t wait to see it. ”
“Well, don’t look at it.”
“Okay…” I drawl, trying not to laugh. “I’ll keep my eyes above the neck at all times.”
She snorts. “Yeah, right.”
I smirk, licking my bottom lip because I can’t even argue that it’ll be a constant battle not to check her out.
“See you soon,” I say.
“Yeah, be there at seven.”
We say goodbye and hang up, then I stand in my kitchen, wondering how much it’s going to hurt when I have to say goodbye to her for the last time.