Never Been Loved(120)

“Right back at ya. Now, we’re gonna pick up the little guy or what?”

Thirty minutes later, we’re in front of my old house. I barely get the car in park when Sera’s bolted out the car, and Matty’s flying down the stairs to collide with her legs.

“Sera! Sera, Sera! I missed you!” The kid hugs her hard. I don’t think he ever wants to let go. "Why did you go away? Did I do something wrong?”

I’ve rounded the car and watch Sera crouch down to get Matty eye-to-eye.

“Of course not! Did somebody tell you that?

Your dad and I had a fight. It had nothing to do with you, little buddy. I still love you, and I always will.”

I lean down so I’m in the huddle, too.

“Matty-kid, how was your visit?”

“Good, Daddy. Eddie says hi.”

I look up the stone steps and see Eddie waving like he’s trying to down a plane.

Aly walks through the door and comes down the stairs towards us. Fuck that. But Sera’s already growling, standing up and holding onto Matty. I follow her lead and walk up into the house.

I watch Sera call out my mom, and ignore Aly since Sera looks like she’s going to take care all of this for me. Whoever said nerds were weak has never met my girl.

When Mom actually says something along the lines of Sera being unwelcome in this damn house, and something about being a maid, or what the fuck ever, I try to get a word in until my girl effectively tells me to shut up.

I shut up.

Watching Sera go badass on me is fucking hot.

“I’m going to pretend that you didn’t say that,” she says while I lean in and kiss her at the temple.

“I’m only going to say this once, and you’re going to listen. Hunter and I, we’re together. Deal with it. You try and foist Red on him again, you and I will have more than words. You understand? You’ve made a giant mistake cutting Hunter out of your will. For what? Wanting a life of love for him and his kid? What is wrong with you? Can’t you see? You surround yourself with beautiful, expensive things but are you happy?

“And trying to buy off Aly’s affection for your grandson by an arranged marriage? What fraking century are you living in? Hunter is mine now, and nothing you do or say is going to change that. Matty’s mine, too. And if you ever want to see your grandson again, you better change your attitude, or you’re going to be one lonely bitch for the rest of your miserable life.”

Need. Pussy. Now.

“Bad word! Sera, said a bad word!” Matty’s dancing at our feet.

Mom looks at me, for once, like I exist. “Are you going to let her talk to your mother that way?”

“Fuck that. I know Matty, just gimme a second.” I tell the kid when his mouth pops open so I can give him a quarter. “You cut me out of your will. I’m alone, just like I’ve been since I was diagnosed. And that’s fine, Mom. You made your choice, and now I’m making mine. You’ll never see us again.”

I get an arm around Sera’s shoulders and move her so we can leave. That is, until Aly’s got her nails in my arm, and Sera doesn’t like that. That’s hot, too.

“Let go of him. Now.”

“Bitch, what makes you think a man like that would want you when he can have me?” Aly’s eyes go to slits, and I know she doesn’t hold a chance in hell of taking down my girl.

Sera lets her fist fly and socks Aly in the nose. I watch dumb to the blood dripping out of her nose.

“Come near my family again, and I’ll make sure a broken nose is the least of your worries. You get me?”

“You fucking whore! I’m going to fucking kill you!” Aly screams, but Sera’s got my boy’s hand in hers and we’re walking to my car. She gets the kid in the car and closes the door behind him.

I get Sera’s ass in my hips and lean in to her ear, wrapping around her so her back is pressed to my front.

“That was fucking awesome. A little more practice and you’ll have a meaner right hook than Rocky Balboa.”

“I’m more badass than Rocky Balboa any day of the week.”

“Yeah, baby. You are.”





Chapter 32



I don’t know if she can tell I’m nervous. Maybe it’s the way I’ve asked her to see the ring four times, then pick four more that catch my eye.

I should be doing this with Katie, I guess, since she knows Sera better than I do. But I’ll do that for my final decision.

I want to give Sera a solid diamond. One she can be proud of. I also have limited funds. I mean, I’ve been saving, but it seems like it’s never enough.

Now though, since Sera’s moved in, we have a joint account and I don’t feel like my finances are strangling me anymore. She saved me from that, too.