Page 25 of Already Callin’ You Mine

Jace Hayes has to be the most infuriating man on this planet.

And I say that as a woman who has spent the last three years in court with her ex.

More importantly though, I need to respond. I can’t let him get in the last word. Especially when those are the words in question. Snark is not my strong suit, however. Light, fluffy, cute—that’s my wheelhouse. Warm and fuzzy is my vibe.

One more thing that made me an easy target in high school.

It took me way too long to learn to stand up for myself. Actually, I’m still not great at that. It’s Otis who I learned to defend first. Who I will always defend—with every last fiber of my being.

Including now. Via defending my parenting skills.

You keep believing that

The higher the horse, the harder the fall, Jace. And I hope you land on concrete

There. That was sufficiently unkind. And should hopefully make him shut up. Or at least be able to return to the matter at hand—getting this project going. My outline maps out an entire schedule for the rest of the fall, incorporating the holidays and other big events kids and families have coming up. But that means we need to get moving.

Jace

At least I didn’t cheat my way into the saddle

That’s it. The gloves are coming off. I don’t care who he thinks he is or if his last name is Hayes. I’m not putting up with this. If I get fired, I get fired. I can find another job.

“Mama!”

My thoughts are interrupted by my baby’s sweet voice, startling me enough to drop my phone. I look up, smiling as I watch him run through the front door of our little cottage, my father right behind him. The sight of the two of them calms me instantly, my insides easing, reminding me what’s most important.

“Hey buddy,” I greet, pushing up from the couch and letting my papers scatter to the floor. I scoop Otis up, twirling him around as I hold him close, inhaling his sweet scent. “Did you have a good day at school?”

“Yup.” He nods, his eyes lighting up. “We played Play-Doh and had cock porn.”

I bite the inside of my cheek, holding back my laughter. Someday, Otis will learn to properly pronounce popcorn, and I will be very sad. But today is not that day. Until then, I’m going to giggle incessantly to myself every time he says cock porn. While simultaneously hoping that he never asks for it in public.

My father isn’t as good at hiding his reaction, his deep chuckle slipping through, stealing Otis’s attention.

“Paps like cock porn too!”

I burst out laughing, unable to hold it in with that statement. My father’s eyes go wide, face turning beet red as his eyes meet mine. He speaks Otis as well as anyone on this planet, but that doesn’t stop anyone from unhearing that last declaration.

“I do like popcorn,” Dad says, emphasizing the proper pronunciation.

“I go play trains?” Otis asks, wiggling in my arms.

I nod, lowering him to the ground, and he’s off before I can blink. The soft sounds of his little feet pounding on the hardwood floor fill the air, making my heart squeeze.

“Thanks for picking him up,” I say.

“Did you finish your project?”

I turn, looking at the mess of papers covering the sofa and area rug around it. Sorta…

I shrug, making a face. “I got the timeline complete, but I still need to work on getting it implemented.”

“Then I’ll leave you to it.”

He kisses my cheek, squeezing me tight, like I’m still a little girl. I suppose to him, I am still his little girl. Same way Otis will always be my baby boy, even after he starts to tower over me and sprouts facial hair. Two things I hope are a long, long way off.

Picking my phone back up, I reread Jace’s last text. The perfect response comes to me in a flash.