When Maddox reverses the car as much as he can and then turns it so he can drive forward onto the lawn, I realise he fully intends on going somewhere.
Making wide eyes at Winter, I say with urgency, “You need to stop him. He’s angry and upset, and should not be behind the wheel.”
Winter moves without hesitation, making his way to the driver’s door. Yanking it open, he reaches inside and stops Maddox from going anywhere. They argue for a minute until Maddox finally turns the car off. Winter then lifts his chin and orders, “Out.”
Maddox unleashes his anger in a torrent of words I can’t decipher. I’m unsure if Winter figures them out or not, but I’m relieved when he somehow gets Maddox out of the car.
“What’s going on?” Winter asks Maddox as I move closer to them.
“Ask Abbi,” Maddox snaps. “She knows all about it.” With that, he storms back inside, leaving us staring after him.
“Oh my God,” Abbi says. “I’m seriously done with him today.” With that, she also storms back inside.
Winter’s eyes come to me. “Why do I feel like I just walked into a war?”
I release all the air in my lungs. “Because you did.” I stare at him with all the bewilderment I’m feeling. “I quit.”
His lips slowly curl up at the ends as he reaches for me. Pulling me close, he says, “It’s too fucking late to quit now, baby.”
“I beg to differ. I’ll stay on as your wife, but I quit as a mother. The job description wasn’t clear enough when I took on the job. In fact, I think I should sue for being misled. Deceived, even.”
His arms come around me and he brushes his lips over mine. “Where’s Amelia?”
I grip his shirt while inhaling his scent. It’s the same scent he’s worn for years and it never fails to soothe and centre me. “She’s been naughty all day and is currently in her bedroom. You’ll need to deal with her too because, in case you already need the reminder, I’ve quit.”
“Care to fill me in on the Maddox situation?”
I share what I know with him, including the bit about Maddox swearing. “You need to have a talk with him about that, Winter. I’m not putting up with him speaking that way to me, and while I’ll be sure to tell him that, I think he needs to hear it from you too.”
Winter nods. “I’ll let him cool down for a bit and then I’ll go talk with him.” He bends his face to mine so he can kiss me again, this time for longer. Then, he says, “So, this quitting business, does cooking dinner come under wife or mother duties?”
“You’ll be lucky if I don’t send you to your room, too.”
His lips twitch. “You’ll have to handle all the kids on your own if you do that. I think I’m safe.”
“You can eat Amelia’s veggies. Oh, except for the peas. They’re all over the table.”
He puts his arm around my shoulders and says, “Come on. Let’s get you inside. I’m thinking some time on your meditation pillow might be good.”
I walk with him, sinking into him and his love. Grateful that he’s home. “I’m thinking fifteen straight years might do it.”
“Does that involve time out for sucking my dick?”
“Of course that’s where your thoughts go.”
“I’d give you fifteen years, but only if those lips are around my dick often.”
I look up at him. “Let’s be real; you love me enough that you’d do it without that.”
He meets my gaze, his eyes flashing with love. “Yeah,” he says, “I think you might be right.”
How I got so lucky to have this man by my side I’ll never know.
Lily
I’m sorry I missed all your texts today! It’s been hectic here between King and the kids. Are you okay?
Me
