His creativity knew no bounds.
Our future was filled with uncertainty.
Him.
Haven.
Sage…
What if I lost her?
This plaguing question assaulted my mind when I was awake or sleeping. I began dreaming about her saying those four words to me.
I can’t do this.
I turned into a complete and utter pussy. Since I couldn’t tell her what Haiden was putting me through, I remained like a fucking force field of withholding the truth.
In the last three months, it was one thing after another. It didn’t matter if we were at my house or his, he was still able to mess with me.
First, it started off with innocent little things.
My hair.
The itching power.
All the batteries out of everything in my home.
Switching the sugar to salt.
Gum at the bottom of all my shoes.
Cutting holes in my socks.
Flour in my fans.
Glue on my steering wheel.
Those were just to name a few.
Although, in the last month he’d brought out the big guns.
Told Sage I taught him the word fuck.
He peed on my carpet.
Put clear plastic on my toilet seats.
Changed out my Sloppy Joe to wet dog food.
Dropped my phone in the pool.
Sling-shot a pebble at my cock and claimed I’d got in his way. That stunt put me out for several days. He literally bruised my dick.
Turned my refrigerator off so all my food inside spoiled.
Put cottage cheese in my milk.
There weren’t any boundaries he wasn’t willing and able to cross.
Not. One.
Since I couldn’t do anything about his full-blown World War III battle, I called in for reinforcements. Today was the first time we were uniting forces. Sage and her kids were meeting the other half of me.
My family and the boys.
“Honey, are you okay?” Mom asked, cooking her best recipe in my kitchen that was always a huge hit at any function.
“I’m nervous.”
“Why? We’re going to love Sage.”
“It’s not Sage I’m worried about.”
“We’re going to love her kids too.”
“Exactly. What if Haiden makes you fall in love with him? Huh, what then? I’ll tell you what— he’s going to turn you against me.”
“Honey, that would never happen. You’re my baby.”
I smiled. “I know. I’m just running my mouth. I’m more nervous about what he’s going to do to me this afternoon.”
“Maybe he will give you a break.”
I scoffed out a chuckle. “I highly doubt that. Everyone who is important to me is going to be here, so I imagine he might poison me.”
“Ashton, he can’t be that bad. He’s just a little boy.”
“Mom, I’m telling you he may look like a kid on the outside, but inside, he’s pure evil. Just ask my balls.”
“Ashton!”
“What? I’ve told you everything he’s done to me. Whose side are you on?”
“Have you tried to talk to him?”
“Gee, why didn’t I think of that?”
“You know, when you were his age, you weren’t exactly an angel?”
“Yeah, I’m aware. I had three best friends who were the worst influences.”
“Bro,” Cain snickered, walking into my kitchen with Lively. They were here visiting. “I was an angel. You were the bad influence.”
“Why do I know that’s a lie?” Lively bit, smirking.
He winked at her. “What time is everyone getting here?”
“Soon.”
“Did you wear a cup like I told you to?”
“No, I’m not putting a plastic cup in between my legs.”
“Then I don’t want to hear your whining if he comes for your di”—he stopped himself, looking at my mom—“dingdong again.”
I opened my mouth, but the doorbell rang. “Speak of the Devil. I wonder if his ears were ringing?”
“Don’t sweat it, bro.” Cain wrapped his arm around my neck. “We’re here to protect you from the big bad seven-year-old.”
I glared at him, slapping him in the chest. “Ha, ha, very funny. I hope he pisses in your shoes, so you know what it’s like.”
“He pissed in your shoes?”
“Carpet, shoes, same thing.”
“Hey, Ashton!” Haiden hollered from the entryway. “We’re here, and I’m so excited to meet your friends and family!”
“Awe.” Lively smiled. “What a sweetheart.”
“Great. He only just got here, and he already has you wrapped around his finger.”
“Honey, we’re on your side. Relax,” Mom reassured.
She underestimated his acting capability, but I, on the other hand, knew better. Not even an hour in and Haiden the Hellion had the boys and my family eating out of the palm of his hand. They were enamored with him.
If I heard my mother say, “What a sweet boy,” one more time, I was going to lose my shit.
At one point, Leo even questioned me, “Are you sure you’re not just being a pussy about it? The kid seems fucking sweet.”
“Hey, Ashton.” Haiden pulled my attention. “Will you help me figure out this new toy Uncle Brady got me outside?”
Suddenly, all eyes were on me in my living room, and I had no choice but to say yes. I followed him out onto my porch, keeping my focus on him. Knowing he was up to no good.