Page 11 of Hades

“I don’t want you to be alone for the rest of your life, Simon,” she whispered. “You have always been so proud to be a husband and a father. And you…you can have that. With someone else.”

I shook my head and gave her hand a squeeze. Then I released her, crossing my arms. I already had a family with Jenny and the kids.

“Some of us only get one shot at happiness like that,” I said.

And I blew it.

Jenny took a breath to protest but I closed my eyes, putting an end to the conversation.

“Good-night, Jenny. And for Christ’s sake, I’m begging you to wash off that bastard’s cologne before you slide between my sheets. It’s bad enough to smell him on you. Don’t make me smell him in my own apartment.”

Jenny didn’t say anything or move right away, and I wondered if she was preparing to continue our argument.

In the end, she finally rose to her feet. I opened one eye, watching her as she disappeared into my bedroom. A moment later, the bathroom light turned on, a golden slash of illumination through the shadows of my apartment.

Then came the rush of water from the shower.

I stared at the ceiling, trying to stop myself from picturing Jenny while she shed her clothes, leaving her lazy bra and panties pooled on the floor. Or her curves slick with water as steam billowed around her.

My cock ached, pushing against the zipper of my fly. I palmed my groin, willing myself to calm down.

Divorced for seven years, and I was still pining after my wife.

Ex-wife, I thought.

Fuck, I didn’t want to get used to that. But it seemed I didn’t have a choice.

Chapter four

Jenny

A week later, Casey was back on his feet, full of energy again. And I needed an extra pair of hands to manage him. I tucked my phone into the crook of my shoulder as I juggled my bowl of cake batter.

“Hey, honey,” Simon said, picking up on the first ring.

I closed my eyes and released a breath of relief. God help me, that grittiness in his voice still gave me butterflies sometimes.

“You have to come get your children,” I replied. “I love them dearly. But they’re driving me insane. I know I’m supposed to have custody of the kids this weekend, but I’m swamped. I promised to bake a cake for Bobbie and Psycho’s wedding tomorrow, and I’m so far behind schedule at this point that I’ll have to pull an all-nighter to get it done.”

Footsteps galloped above me as Mia and Casey raced through the house, screeching like banshees at each other, arguing.

I groaned and leaned against the kitchen counter, tipping my head back.

“Simon,” I said through my teeth. “Please.”

He chuckled. I growled and brandished my batter-covered wooden spoon in the air, even though he couldn’t see my threat.

“I’m at my wits end and you’re laughing,” I said dryly.

“I’m not laughing, mi amor,” Simon protested. “I’m savoring the moment. It’s nice to be needed once in a while.”

I grumbled and switched the phone to my other shoulder.

“Listen, if you can’t take the kids, Simon, just tell me. I’ll…figure out something else.”

It wouldn’t be easy at the last minute on a Friday night. Most babysitters were already booked, or had plans of their own. My parents retired to Florida a few years ago, and my sister lived three hours away in Aurora, so asking my family to help was out of the question.

In the back of my mind, I knew there was another option. I just didn’t like it.