Something So Right(53)

“So all that stuff that you are engaged isn’t true? The blonde hanging all over you in my mom’s arena isn’t true?” That sentence makes Parker throw my hands down and glare at me.

“She walked into my fucking arena and brought that shit to my work space,” she hisses. Before I have a chance to answer, Matthew does it for me.

“Adam kicked her skanky ass to the curb.”

I know his mother said to watch his mouth, but I have no choice but to laugh out loud. He looks up at me and something clicks.

“Parker, why don’t you go wash your face so Allison doesn’t see you like this? I’ve got to have a talk with Matthew.”

She looks at me, not sure what to say. I know that all she wants is to protect her kids, but this boy is turning into a man. She needs to give him that.

“Ummm, okay, but you, mister, better watch your mouth.” She points to Matthew. “And you make sure he watches his mouth.” She turns to walk away, but I can’t let her go that fast. Grabbing her hand, I pull her to me, looking into her green eyes that are almost gray with the sun. I almost lost her. I kiss her mouth. Just a touch, but it’s enough to know that later we still need to finish this conversation.

I wait for the door to close shut before turning my eyes back on Matthew.

“I don’t know what you heard, but I want you to hear the truth from me. Did I date her? Yes. Yes, I did. Did I love her? Nope, not even a bit. Were we together while she was here? Not even for a second. I’m here, Matthew, and I’m not going anywhere. I love your mother. I love her so much I couldn’t breathe without her. I love her so much I’m not going anywhere. I’m here in front of you laying my cards on the table. That woman in there has me wrapped around her beautiful little fingers. I want a forever with her. I want your permission to give her that. I promise you this. I will never ever hurt her. At least not on purpose. Never on purpose. Man to man, you have to know that I’m not going anywhere.”

Matthew crosses his hands over his chest. “When my dad left, she tried not to make us see her upset. She tried to hide that she was hurt, but at night when all the lights were out and she thought I was sleeping I used to hear her sob. I used to hear her sob till I fell asleep. Hoping that I would fall asleep fast so I wouldn’t have to hear her. She is the best mom anyone can ever ask for. My dad didn’t deserve her. He was never there for her. I didn’t see it before because I was young. But she always bent to make him happy, and she always shielded us so we wouldn’t get that feeling that we were his second thought.” With that, his hands fall down to his sides. He just laid out all his secrets to me, all because he loves his mother more than anyone can think.

“I’m sorry that all of you had to go through that. I’m sorry that she was hurt.” I start to say with Matthew shaking his head.

“It’s not your fault we got hurt, it’s not your fault she cried. But this,” he says, twirling his hand around, “this is your fault. You bringing it to her home, that’s your fault. I don’t like it. I really, really hope you aren’t fucking her over.”

I don’t say anything. I just shake my head, trying to make him see that I’m not his father. But before I say anything, Allison comes outside, slamming the door, making the windows rattle.

“Matthew, can you make me pancakes?” She stands slanted with her hands on her tiny hips.

“Allison, what did Mom say?” He turns to walk to her, picking her up. She looks down and whispers something to him that I can’t hear. Whatever it is makes him lean down and blow bubbles onto her, setting her off on a giggling fit.

“Let’s go inside and see what Mom really wants to eat for dinner.” He looks over at me. “Cooper, you coming?” I know he doesn’t trust me. I know he’s still leery of me, but it’s an olive branch, and I’m going to grab onto it and never let it go.





Chapter Twenty-Five


Cooper





The dishes have been cleared off the table. A dim light from the kitchen illuminates the way to the couch where we are sitting watching Frozen again. Thoughts are running through my mind of accidentally scratching the DVD.

Just as I’ve already thought of the crime, a little blond head falls into my lap, her bouncy curls covering half of her face. I smooth my hand over her hair, watching her cute little pout while she slides deeper into her slumber.

Looking over, I see that her mom has also curled up her head, resting on the arm of the couch. She looks thinner. With her eyes closed, she looks peaceful. If she is anything like me, she barely slept in the last four days. Just being here, next to her, it’s like I’m home. It’s crazy how one person can bring you that much peace.