Page 119 of Already Callin’ You Mine

My ex.

“C-C-Cody,” I choke out, my shock gripping the words as they leave me. “What the fuck are you doing here?”

Better yet, how the fuck did he find me?

My mind goes into overdrive, too many thoughts all at once to make sense of any of them. Cody’s a cop, so I’m sure it wasn’t too hard for him to figure out my change of address. It would be on file with the court, after all.

“I wanted to see you.” He smiles, but it’s not real. It’s forced. Fake. Like he thinks that’s what I want from him. “Both of you.”

“And you couldn’t have called? Sent a text?”

He looks between me and Otis, his eyes scanning the new costume, before landing on Jace. The fake smile falters for a split second, the blue eyes I once loved to stare into looking cold, calculating, and unfriendly as he appraises the man holding his son.

No, not his son. I don’t know what the right word is, but that’s not it. Cody may have provided the genetic material required, but he’s not a father. He’s not dad. That’s Jace.

“I thought I’d surprise you. That it’d be more fun. You love surprises.”

“I hate them.”

He knows that. Not that he ever listened or respected it. Right down to the end, when he surprised me by fucking someone else.

Anger rises in me, but it’s quickly eclipsed by worry. I need to know his motives. Why he’s really here.

I squeeze Jace’s hand, looking for comfort. He returns the gesture, understanding what I need. He can read this situation loud and clear. After all, he’s the safety expert.

Safety first.

“Little Man, look! Another turkey!”

Letting go of my hand, Jace turns away from us, leaving me alone with Cody. Out of the corner of my eye, I watch my boys, now walking toward the other little turkey, as I try to find the words to ask what I really want to know.

“Presley,” Cody breaks the silence, stepping forward and reaching for me.

Instinctively, I step back. I’m not letting him touch me.

“What do you want, Cody? Why are you in Hickory Hills?”

In all the years we were together, he always refused to come here. Always had an excuse or comment about rural Georgia. He wasn’t willing to lower himself to come here. He must want something really bad if he’s here.

“I’ve had some time to think. And I was wrong to…to say that I didn’t want a role in Oscar’s life.”

“Otis,” I correct him sharply. Can’t even get our child’s name right. Fuck him. “It’s Otis. He’s named after my father.”

“Right, right…sorry…” Cody holds up his hands in surrender. “But I was wrong to say I didn’t want to be involved.”

I scoff. Is he serious?

“That’s not what you said. You claimed he wasn’t yours. You accused me of cheating and getting pregnant to trap you. When in reality, it was you who was fooling around.”

“Details…”

“No, not ‘details’! I had to drag you to court. It took years to get you to acknowledge him, and that’s only after I proved paternity!”

“Presley, we’re splitting hairs.”

Oh, for fuck’s sake. We are a long way from splitting hairs. I have the court records. But that doesn’t matter. And causing a scene won’t solve anything. Won’t make him any less of an asshole.

“So, I was thinking that maybe we could…come to an agreement.”