Defensive Daddy

“Am I?” He gently lifted my face toward his, and I saw the skeptical look he wore. “You think I’m not scared as hell that you’re going to change your mind about me?”

It was the first time I’d noticed the glint that shone in his eyes. It was faint, and well hidden, but it was there.

Fear.

“If you’re scared, you contain it well.”

“Just because you don’t see it, Samantha, doesn’t mean it’s not there.” His voice held no edge, but there was an assertive quality I couldn’t ignore. “That’s my biggest fear. That you’ll decide this isn’t what you want. That me and Tommy aren’t what you want.” His thumb caressed my cheek tenderly. “But I can’t let that fear dictate my relationship with you, or I’ll never really have the chance to show you how good we can be. How good we already are.”

I leaned into his palm, a wave of guilt washing over me. “I’m sorry,” I choked out. “I should’ve never told you I was taking Levi elsewhere to be babysat.”

“You wanted to protect him, that’s all. But, I promise you, Samantha. I’m not someone Levi needs to be protected from.”

“I know that.” And I did. Cooper wasn’t Ethan, and it wasn’t fair of me to transfer the distrust and hurt I carried because of him to the man who’d done nothing but try to help me and my son move on.

“You don’t need to be protected from me, either. I’d never hurt you, Samantha.”

“I know that, too.” I smiled warmly at him. “I also know that I want to meet Tommy, Cooper. I want Levi to meet him, too.”

“Good.” He leaned in and kissed my forehead, the corners of his mouth upturned. “There’s nothing I’d love more. One big happy family.”

I kissed him, soft but passionate. “You really are too good to be true, aren’t you?” I chuckled softly.

“Nah,” he said, his smile widening. “Just good. Real good. Which I plan on reminding you of for a long time, Samantha.”

***

The knock on the door came about a half hour earlier than I expected the next morning. I’d forgotten to unlock it, but thankfully both Cooper and I were both showered and dressed already.

“Damn it,” I cursed under my breath, scurrying to the door. I pulled it open. “I’m sorry, Levi, I must’ve forgot to unlock it when I got up!”

“Hi, Mommy!” He dove for my knees, hugging me tightly. “Is Cooper here yet?”

Just as quickly as he asked the question, the little boy headed back out the doorway, obviously intent on banging on Cooper’s apartment door.

I grabbed him by the hood of his jacket to stop him. “He’s already here, buddy,” I assured him with a chuckle. Then, my eyes rose to meet Ethan’s gaze. He stood in the doorway, silent. “He just got here,” I added feebly, but it was obviously an afterthought.

Levi kicked his shoes off and careened around the corner into the kitchen, where cheering and laughter sounded at his reunion with the man he believed was Superman.

“I’ve heard a lot about this Cooper guy,” Ethan said coldly. He stepped inside and closed the door behind him. “I thought he was just a friend, Samantha.”

“He is.” I did my best to sound defiant, but dread wafted over me, making my throat constrict.

“You didn’t tell me he’s also the nanny.” He spat out the last word like it left a bad taste in his mouth. “What else aren’t you telling me?”

I should have known Levi would gush about Cooper while he was at his father’s house. “That’s the thing about breaking up. I don’t have to tell you a damn thing.”

Ethan’s eyes were bright with fury...and shock. We both knew how many times I’d ever talked back or defied him throughout our time together...very few. But lately, that’s all I’d been doing. Standing up for myself, calling him on his crap.

And he didn’t like it one bit.

“If it concerns my son—”

“You keep forgetting,” I goaded him. “I’m here in this apartment because of the choices you made. I met Cooper because of you. So, for that, perhaps I should be thanking you.”

For a moment, silence floated heavily between us, a silent war. When Ethan spoke again, he no longer tried to keep his voice hushed. “Tell me, Samantha, just who the hell is Cooper? You’re having a fling with the next-door neighbor? Leaving him alone with my son while you go out and play corporate business woman during the day?”

I scoffed, immediately pissed off. There were so many insults strung together in that little fit of