“Can Ruby stay with you? I’ll get her later.”
“I’m not your babysitter.” I make sure to soften my tone so Ruby won’t sense that I’m upset. I would have no issues watching her, but my wife won’t be happy with me. Since we’re in such a good place, I won’t want to upset that.
But when I try to hand her over, she cries and moves away from her father. Josie would do this as a baby, and I always trusted her judgment, even as an infant. Mom says babies and dogs have a sixth sense, and they know who the good people are. If Ruby doesn’t want to be around her father, she shouldn’t be.
“Get out of here before I change my mind.” He hands me the diaper bag, and I check it before he leaves. It’s filled with the clothes we bought when in Chicago, but there are only three diapers and no wipes. I tell him to get out of my sight, and he goes.
I hold my breath when Cori finally makes it home. She doesn’t say anything when she sees Ruby in my arms, but her steps stall. Her cute little nostrils flare, and she looks away.
“There was no one else to watch her,” I say quickly. “You won’t have to do anything.”
She nods and kicks off her shoes.
“I brought dinner.” She holds and points to the big, brown paper bag. “Sit down, and I’ll set the table.”
She puts the bag on the island before she grabs three plates. Finch follows her around, and she only startles once. This iswhat I want, but it seems too easy. The girl I fell for would put up a fight, but she caved, and I’m not dumb enough to believe this turn of events. At least not yet, but I don’t question it.
She sets the table, and I sit with Ruby on my lap. I also make a mental note to buy and hide a highchair for her, along with a stash of diapers, wipes, and clothes. I also had to use my own nail clipper to trim her nails, so I’ll need to buy her one.
I feed Ruby mashed potatoes and mashed chicken. She eats, claps her hands, and babbles. The only thing that rings true about this is that Cori doesn’t look at or interact with the baby at all.
“Sweetheart, have you ever held a baby before?” She stops chewing and slowly looks up from her plate. “Without passing them off after a few seconds?”
“I don’t have those feelings.” She shoves a forkful of potatoes in her mouth.
“What feelings?”
“Maternal. I wasn’t born with that instinct. I bet my womb probably doesn’t work.”
I roll my eyes to the ceiling and decide not to pursue it further. I think her issue is more about her brother than Ruby.
“I’ll clean up if you want to give Ruby a bath before you take her home.” She stands and reaches for my plate, but I move it away because I’m not done. Ruby takes a handful of my mashed potatoes and slaps them on my cheek. Cori chuckles.
“Do that again, munchkin,” Cori says with a laugh. Ruby giggles, and as if she understands, reaches for my plate again.
“Where are you, you worthless piece of shit?” I whisper into the phone. This is what I get for helping that idiot. Cori warned me,but I didn’t have the heart to ignore the baby. She’s sound asleep in the middle of the bed while Cori watches a show on her iPad. She has AirPods in her ear and is completely detached from the situation. It’s like she’s saying I told you so without saying the words.
It’s almost eleven. I’m tired, and I’m horny, but I doubt I’ll get to satisfy either tonight. I lie next to Ruby, and she might as well be an ocean separating me from Cori tonight.
She pulls the AirPods from her ears, turns off her lamp, and gives me her back. She’s in that ugly house dress and a pair of ugly brown socks. I still want to fuck her, but I know it won’t happen tonight.
“Good night, wife.” I reach over Ruby and rub her shoulder. Cori chuckles, and I’m sure it’s due to the annoyance in my voice.
“Not for you, it won’t be. And just so you know, doormats and martyrs don’t turn me on.”
And she was right. Ruby tossed and turned, waking up about four times. By the time morning came around, I was exhausted, hungry, and still horny. While my wife slept, I drove Ruby to her grandparents’ house. The door was unlocked, and when I walked in, I found him asleep on the couch and snoring loudly. I kick his foot, and he groans, so I kick him again, only harder.
“What the fuck?” He sits up, and I lay the car seat at his feet.
“Take the day off. Go to the daycare and enroll her. I’ll call them to set up payment.” I turn on my heel.
“You couldn’t even give me a few more hours. I’m exhausted.” Instead of turning around and punching him in his face, I walk out and resist the urge to slam the door.
Cori is in the bathroom, gargling when I return home. Once she finishes, I wrap an arm around her waist and carry her back to the bedroom. I put her on her feet and open the ugly house dress.
“I’m going to burn that ugly fucking thing.”
“What the hell—” the rest of her words get drowned out by my kiss. My hand covers her breast, and I push her down on the bed and climb on top of her.
