Chapter 20
TOO MANY COOKS
WILL
I’d been lazy all day, watching football and dozing on and off. It had been a long weekend filled with drinks, heavy meals, and endless sex with Natalie. My body was worn out, but in the best way.
The doorbell chimed, pulling me from the couch. When I opened the door, there she was— in lounge wear, her hair piled on top of her head. She didn’t wear makeup, and I loved that about her. She didn’t seem to try and was still the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen.
“Hi there,” she said with a soft smile as I grabbed her bag of groceries and let her inside.
“I missed you all day,” I said, pulling her close and giving her a playful squeeze on her ass.
She laughed, swatting my hand. “I see you’re still in the same sweats from earlier.”
“Guilty,” I admitted. “What can I say? I needed a lazy Sunday after you had your way with me all weekend.
She shook her head, but her cheeks flushed. I loved seeing her like this, completely comfortable with me. I hadn’t felt this way with anyone in a long time.
I escorted her into the kitchen, where she started unloading the groceries. “Make yourself at home,” I said. “I’ll take your bag upstairs and be right back to help.”
“Okay,” she replied, already pulling out ingredients to prepare dinner.
I jogged up the stairs, carrying her overnight bag, but just as I started back down, the doorbell rang again.
I froze.
Pulling out my phone, I saw a missed call and text from Blake. The message read:
Blake: On my way. Be there soon.
Shit, shit, shit.
How had I missed this? I’d been ignoring her all weekend, completely caught up in Natalie, and now Blake was standing at my doorstep.
I glanced toward the kitchen, where Natalie was humming to herself as she prepped the food. My jaw tightened. There was no way this would end well.
I opened the door, stepping outside and closing it behind me.
Blake stood there, her hair sleek, makeup flawless, and a sweater and jeans that screamed “perfect girlfriend.” She was holding a bottle of wine and a bag of groceries, looking ready for the dinner I’d completely forgotten about.
“Hey,” she said, her smile fading as she noticed my tense expression. “I’m officially starting to worry about you. You’ve been MIA all weekend.”
I opened my mouth to respond, but her gaze shifted to the driveway.
“Whose Range Rover is that?” she asked, her voice sharp.
My throat went dry. “Blake… I’m a real asshole, and you’re about to find out just how much.”
Her eyes widened, and I could see the pieces clicking into place.
“What’s going on, Will?” she demanded, her voice trembling.
“I owe you an apology,” I said, running a hand through my hair. “There’s someone inside. Someone I’ve been… seeing.”
Blake’s face twisted in disbelief. “Seeing? You mean cheating? Like, right now?”
I nodded, shame washing over me. “It’s complicated—”
“No, it’s not!” she snapped. “Who is it?”
I hesitated, but before I could respond, she pushed past me, shoving the bag of groceries into my chest.
“Blake, wait—”
But it was too late.
Natalie froze the moment Blake walked into the kitchen. Her face went pale as she realized what was happening.
Blake’s eyes locked on Natalie like a predator sizing up its prey. “Maybe you don’t remember me,” she said with a cold smile, “but we met Friday night at the bar. I’m Blake. Will’s girlfriend.”
Natalie’s mouth opened, then closed again. “I… I’m sorry about being here,” she stammered. “I was just leaving.”
She grabbed her purse, leaving the groceries she’d brought on the counter. As she walked past me, she avoided my eyes completely.
“Natalie, wait—”
But she was already out the door.
Blake turned back to me; her arms crossed. “You’re such a piece of shit,” she said, her voice low and shaking.
“I know,” I said quietly.
“You’ve been acting strange all week. I knew something was going on,” she said, tears brimming in her eyes.
I didn’t know what to say. She was right, I’d been stringing her along, avoiding her because I was too much of a coward to end things.
“How am I supposed to feel right now, Will?” she asked, her voice rising. “You bring me here, make me think we’re building something, and the whole time you’re screwing her? Does she even want to be a stepmom to your kids?”
The question hit me hard, but I stayed silent.
Blake let out a bitter laugh. “Of course not. She gets you all to herself for the weekend, and I’m the one dealing with your baggage. I bet she doesn’t even know what she’s signing up for.”
I took a deep breath. “You’re right. I’ve been a terrible boyfriend, and you don’t deserve this.”
Her voice cracked as she said, “You were willing to throw this away? I was prepared to take on everything—your kids, your messy life. I cared about you, Will. I was falling in love with you.”
“Blake,” I said, stepping closer. “You’re an amazing woman, and you deserve someone who can give you everything you want. But I’m not that guy.”
She stared at me, her tears spilling over. “I thought you were.”
“I thought it could be a possibility,” I admitted. “But I’ve been lying to myself, and to you.”
Blake grabbed her bag and walked toward the door. “You know what, Will? I hope she’s worth it.”
And then she was gone.
The silence in the house was deafening.
I sat on the couch, my head in my hands. Everything had blown up in my face, and I had no one to blame but myself.
Natalie was gone, and I didn’t know if she’d ever come back. Blake was gone, and she had every right to hate me.
I’d spent so much time trying to keep everything together, but in the process, I’d ruined it all.
I didn’t have a plan.
But one thing was clear: if I wanted any chance with Natalie, I had to make things right. No more excuses. No more avoiding the truth.
This time, I’d have to fight for her.