CHAPTER TWO #2
“What if you stay and I introduce you as my friend? Are you okay with that?” I must say the right thing because he leans in and gives me a kiss.
“That works just fine. Where do you want me to get the pizza from?” I shake my head.
“You’re on your bike. Why don’t we just order delivery?
” Ben nods as I unlock the front door. “Welcome to my home. It’s not the neatest, but keeping up with my three is a full-time job sometimes.
” He gives me a look. “I would be more worried if the house was spotless. This is a house where your kids can be themselves. It’s a place where their memories are made.
That’s important. All the other stuff is what people think that others care about.
Fuck other people.” That right there is why I know I’m in trouble.
**********
About twenty minutes later, I hear a car pull up, and a honk follows.
I can’t help but roll my eyes. I know it’s Brian because no pizza delivery person ever honked to announce their arrival.
At least none that was hoping for a tip.
I open the door and see my kids piling out of his car, of course, with Brian still sitting in the driver’s seat.
Branson is stepping up and getting Bailey out of the vehicle.
Makes me wonder what other responsibilities he takes on while they are at their dad’s.
I want him to be able to be a kid as long as possible.
He’s already about to be a teenager. I don’t know where the time went, because it doesn’t seem like that long ago that he was my little toddler, obsessed with Tigger from Winnie the Pooh and trying to bounce like him.
Bentley opens the trunk and starts getting their bags out of the back.
I walk down the driveway to meet them. Brian gives me a nod.
“I really do have to go in to work. I actually had dinner planned for us tonight and everything.” I look at him, and I want to believe him but it’s not easy, especially after the last couple of years of broken promises to our kids, but I don’t want them to know how frustrated with their dad I am.
“I get it. Just remember what I said. It’s time for you to make your own arrangements if you have them.
You have your parents’ and Ms. Elenore’s number.
” He gives me his look of annoyance, but I think he can tell I’m serious about it.
Bailey comes running up to me. “Mommy! Can we get ice cream for dinner tonight?” She slams into me, wrapping her little arms around my legs in a hug.
I look down at my girl. “Well, we can’t have ice cream for dinner, but how about pizza?
” She looks up at me and frowns. “Can we have ice cream after? It’s not a school night.
” This one is already so good at throwing things I say back at me at just the right moment.
“I think that can be arranged. Did you guys get all your stuff?” I get a bunch of mumbled “yeses” in return.
“Alright, well, say goodbye to your dad, and let’s go put your stuff up.
” All three of them barely wave to Brian.
He waves back and takes off. I know I need to not spend so much time worrying about his relationship with Branson, Bentley, and Bailey, but I know they’d all love to get more attention from him.
It kills me because the man I thought he was would’ve given that to them.
I walk back into the house and stop when I see Ben leaning against the counter with his hands in his pocket and my kids staring at him.
Bailey speaks up first, looking at me and pointing at Ben.
“Mommy, who’s him?” I take her jacket from her to hang up.
“You didn’t introduce yourself?” She shakes her head at me, her curls bouncing everywhere.
“This is my friend Ben. He’s gonna have pizza with us.
” I can tell Branson’s not so sure about him, Bentley either.
My social girl goes straight up to him, puts her hands on her hips, and looks up at him.
Ben looks down at her with a grin, waiting her out.
“I’m Bailey. I’m five years old. I’m going to be six soon, and I’m going to have a princess party.
You’re invited if you want, but you have to be a prince.
Mommy said you’re going to stay and eat pizza with us.
I hope you don’t like anything yucky on your pizza.
” I can tell he wants to laugh but is biting his lip to hold it in.
He leans down and sticks out his hand to shake hers.
“I’m Ben. I’ve never been to a princess party, so you’ll have to tell me more about it.
I don’t think I like anything yucky on my pizza. What do you like on your pizza?”
Branson comes up to me and bumps my shoulder.
I look over at him, and he’s got a concerned look on his face.
“Is he your boyfriend?” I think for a millisecond how to answer him, and I decide to go with honesty.
“We’re getting to know each other. He’s a friend, but we have gone on a date and probably will again.
You okay with that?” Branson nods. “Yeah, I am, as long as he’s nice to you.
If he starts acting like Dad and not caring about you, then I won’t be.
” My almost teenager who’s trying to be a man already notices more than I’m really comfortable with.
I hug him to me, and of course, I earn an eye roll for that.
“You let me worry about that. You just worry about being a kid still, okay?” I get another eye roll.
“I’m gonna go put my stuff away. I gotta oil my new glove.
” I tell him I’ll let him know when dinner is here.
I look over, and both Bentley and Bailey are sitting on the stools at the counter and talking to Ben, who’s leaned back against the counter again.
Bentley is taking his turn peppering Ben with questions. “You work on cars? Do you work on the engines?”
Ben nods. “I do. I don’t work there full time, but I do work at the repair shop.” Bailey is looking at her brother like he’s asking the dumbest questions ever. She speaks up before Bentley can ask his next question. “Do you have any kids for us to play with?”
The doorbell rings, and Ben holds his hand up.
“Let me get our pizzas, and I’ll answer you when we sit down to eat, okay?
” Bailey nods and watches Ben go to the door.
I grab paper plates from the cupboard. “Bails, can you set the table, and Bent, can you go tell your brother dinner is here?” Both of them scurry off.
I grab cups from the cupboard and the pitcher of juice and set them on the table.
I go back and grab the pitcher of tea and the bottle of ranch.
Ben’s setting the pizzas on the table as I set the things down on the table.
Both boys are pulling out their chairs, and my girl is already in hers.
In a whirlwind couple of minutes, everyone has some pizza and Jojos on their plates.
Looking at my family sitting here, being completely welcoming with Ben.
Watching them eating and talking together, it shifts something inside of me.
Ben looks up and winks at me before answering Bentley’s latest question. Seriously, I’m in big trouble.