I grabbed her face with both hands and planted a big smooshy kiss on her lips that she wouldn’t usually allow anywhere near her. “Maybe you could give me a heads-up every now and then that you’re paying attention, because honestly, I’m flailing over here some days thinking you hate me.”
She moved off the bed, grinning again. “Nah, I’d rather make you work for it.”
I watched her as she walked out of the room until I couldn’t see her anymore. I then face-planted into my bed, feeling all kinds of weird emotions. This parenting gig was freaking hard, and I really wasn’t convinced I was going to make it through in one piece.
“Lily, you in here? I’m here early to take the kids.” I sat up to find Linc standing in the doorway, watching me with a frown. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I just had a talk with Zara about boys. I need a cask of wine now.” I paused. “Wait, why are you being nice to me?” While he’d been making an effort with the kids, he’d been icy to me ever since I’d told him we weren’t getting back together.
“Fuck, I’m not a bastard all the time, Lil.”
“Well, you have been lately.”
His face clouded with displeasure. “I had good reason. You chose that asshole over me when all I was trying to do was be there for you.”
I sighed. Would he ever understand? “Linc, it wasn’t a competition. You and I weren’t even on the cards. You made your choice years ago, and I’ve just been trying to figure out how to live with it since then. I finally have, and King came along at the right time. And while I appreciated all your help, don’t do stuff for me if you’re just looking for me to do stuff in return. I mean, I believe in give-and-take, but not for the sake of just getting shit out of people. I feel like after all these years, you and I should be there for each other out of respect and for the kids.”
He listened to what I had to say, but all he said in reply was, “Okay, well I’m going to round the kids up so we can make it to the movie on time. Are you good with me keeping them for two nights?”
“Yes.” I smiled. “I like this new thing we have going.”
“What?”
“Where you want to spend lots of time with them. They love it, too.”
“Yeah,” he said and then left me in peace.
I had no idea if he’d really listened to what I said, but a girl could hope. And pray. Maybe I should take that up.
I reached for my phone and sent King a text. I hadn’t sent him any today, and good God they were a good way to get him ready for me. He usually told me to stop sending him shit, but I had a sneaky suspicion he was starting to warm to them.
Me: Whatcha doing?
He took a good few minutes to come back.
King: Club shit
Me: Are you thinking about me?
King: Fuck, Lily I’m busy
Me: Well, for what it’s worth, I’m thinking about you. And I’m thinking it would be really freaking good if we played with some toys tonight. You don’t know this about me yet, but I have some. And while I know you’re a man who has all the goods, I think I have some you might like.
Three minutes passed.
King: Fucking hell woman
Me: You want pictures? Gimme a minute to get some for you.
He rang. “For fuck’s sake, I’m dealing with a fuckload of headaches today, and I don’t fucking need you to send me any pictures. And I really don’t fucking need to be thinking about you when I’m trying to sort this shit out. I’ll be over in about two hours, and I suggest you have a bag packed that contains whatever toys you want me to use on you tonight. We clear?”
Oh, man, we were crystal freaking clear.
But I was just like my daughter. I liked making him work for it.
“Just one question—would you prefer—”
“I have no fucking preference on any of this. So long as I have your cunt, I’m a happy fucking man.”