Never Been Loved(93)

Sera doesn’t like that. She leans back from my hold on her now, and looks at me like I’m crazy.

“I want to help. Jesus, Hunt, I’d do anything for that kid. I love him.”

“Why?” Stupid, stupid fucking question. But I mean it. I need to know.

“Why, what? Why do I love him?”

“Yeah. Why?”

“Are you serious? Have you met him? He’s like sunshine and chocolate and Peter Pan and all the good things in the world. He’s pure and he’s bright like a star. He’s sweet and kind and knows a little too much of how his diabetes affects him and we’re going to need to change that.”

You hear that, Jules? She loves your child. She’s good for him. She loves him, Jules.

I sneer. “Still think I’m amazing that I nearly lost Matty today?”

She frowns at me. “Amazing doesn’t mean infallible. Remember that. Now, come on. I need to get to work, and Matty needs to get to daycare. God, I could sleep for two weeks after what just happened. Adrenaline. Crash.”

I keep my mouth shut, then after some thinking, I lean closer until she stops me.

“Wait, what are you doing?”

“I need to kiss you, all right?” Please. I need somebody to think I’m amazing right now.

“Uh, in front of Matty? You sure that’s a good idea? God, he’s going to need so much therapy after this.”

“Sera, I want to kiss you. I need it. Matty is going to see us kissing, like normal couples do. Please, just kiss me. Make me forget the last twenty minutes.”

Sera’s thinking, but then gets her hand and casted hand on my chest and leans up to give me her mouth. I don’t go easy, but she’s there with me, making those colours swirl behind my eyes faster, faster and faster.

She touches my hair, and fuck, I didn’t know I had enough blood left to pool in my dick and I’ve pulled her up so she doesn’t have to lean up to meet me. I think I excited her since she kisses me harder, deeper, making me lose whatever control I thought I had.

I settle her down on her feet, and groan when she doesn’t let go of my lip right away. Jesus Christ, I need to be in her right now.

“Have dinner with me tonight,” I pant.

“Can’t. Plans with Katie.” Her breathing isn’t normal, either. “I’ll come over and read Matty to bed and kiss you good night.”

“Deal.” I smile, and kiss her nose. Colours swirling even faster now until I can’t even see her face. “Shit. I think I need a juice.”

“Oh, oh! I have one in my purse. Which is in the car.”

She starts leading me, but the whole equation doesn’t compute. I stop her from moving towards the car. “Why do you have a juice in your purse?”

“I have several juices in my purse, plus sugar tablets. In case you and Matty get lows when we’re together. I’m like the boy scouts, I’m always prepared. What’s the big deal?”

“I’m...I’m not sure. I guess I’ve been doing it on my own so long, I’m not sure how to react with you having everything ready.” I’m confused, rubbing my head. Drink sugar now, and think about this later. But don’t overthink it, asshole.

“I’m going to need you to drive. Please.”

Don’t think less of me ’cause I can’t do it right now.

“That I can do. Buckle up.” She gets the keys from me, and moves to the driver’s side once my ass hits the passenger seat. I suck back the juice like I’ve been walking in the desert for days. “I’m gonna drive to work first since I’m running late. You think you’ll be okay to drive Matty to daycare after, or you want me to go there first? Be honest.”

“I don’t like admitting I need help.”

“Everybody needs help. Even Superman needs Batman’s help once in a while.”

“Iron Man is better than Batman, Sera,” Matty says, matter-of-fact from the back seat.

“You want to get into a rumble kid? Name the time and place.”

“Go to work, the juice should kick in by then,” I say. “If not, I’ll park and wait around another twenty minutes. Deal?”

“Deal.”

“Sera...why did you kiss Daddy?”

I don’t even have to look at her to watch her freak out, I can feel it, even through the lack-of-sugar haze.

“Uh, well, technically,” she says, “he kissed me, so you should be asking him that question. Actually, it’s because your dad wants to be my boyfriend.”





Chapter 25



“Is that true, Daddy?” Ah, shit. How am I gonna answer that? Can’t a guy get a break?

I exhale hard and long, and really lean into my seat like it’s going to be my bed for the next little while. “It’s true, buddy. Is that cool with you?”