Misadventures with a Manny

by Toni Aleo

  I shrug. “I know,” I say, buttoning my pants. “But I think they suspect something, and I’m honestly dying not able to touch you when I want.”

  She smiles as she reaches for her panties. “I am too, but I don’t want too much change. Plus, with Elliot feeling like he can’t love you and Simon, I don’t want him to feel pressured.”

  I understand that, but still, something is bothering me. “But this is more than sex, right?”

  Her brows pull together. “Why—”

  Before she could finish, though, her phone goes off once more. “I’m so sorry, Ms. Woods, but now Richard is emailing you, and he wants to see you.”

  “Yes, sorry, tell him I’m on my way,” she says, and when she looks back to me, her eyes are soft. “I’m so sorry. Can we talk later?”

  My stomach drops. “Yeah.”

  She slides her panties up her legs before fixing her dress and coming to me. Going to her toes, she kisses my jaw. “It’s more than sex, okay? Just don’t rush this.”

  She kisses me once more before heading past me and out of her office, but I’m standing there, stunned.

  Don’t rush this.

  Why would she say that? To me, that means she isn’t in it for the long haul.

  Fuck.

  Feeling a little defeated, I turn and head out of her office, my heart pounding in my chest. But am I overreacting? Maybe I’m overthinking this? Maybe she meant not to rush telling the boys. Yeah, that’s it.

  Right?

  Damn it.

  I nod to the receptionist as I pass, but when I reach the elevators, my phone is ringing. When I pull it out of my pocket, I hope it’s Vera asking me to come back, but it isn’t.

  “Sharron! What’s up?”

  “Loads, Lincoln. How are you?”

  I smile when I hear the kids in the background. “I’m great.”

  “Well, I’m hoping that you’ll be even better when I ask my next question.”

  I scoff. “What’s that?”

  “Please come to Germany and take your job back.”

  My heart stops.

  Holy shit.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  Vera

  Ugh, what a day.

  When I walk in the door, I notice the boys’ bags by the door, and then I see them on the couch with Lincoln, watching TV. When they all glance to me, I smile at the sight of them. They all look so comfortable, gathered together on the couch with such content looks on their faces.

  My boys.

  “Hey, guys.”

  They greet me as I slide my shoes off and set my box of work down. When I stand, Lincoln is there, and my breath catches. I can still feel him inside me, and I want desperately to greet him with one hell of a kiss, but I can’t.

  “Want me to take that to your office?”

  “Please.”

  “Sure,” he says before grabbing it and heading up the stairs. As I watch him, I hear his words from earlier.

  This isn’t just sex, right?

  God, why would he even think that? It’s been bothering me all day. Tearing my gaze from him, I look to the boys. “What are you guys watching?”

  “Basketball.”

  “Fun,” I say dryly as I place kisses on each of their heads. They don’t pay me any mind, though. They’re too deep in the game. Rolling my eyes, I head toward the kitchen for a nice glass of wine, but before I can get there, the doorbell rings. I make a face as I glance at the time.

  That better not be Simon to get the boys.

  Turning to go back to the door, I see Lincoln coming down the stairs, his brows pulled together. “You expecting someone?”

  “No,” I say as I reach for the door. “Not yet, at least.”

  When I pull it open, Simon is standing there with Kaia. I glare. “You’re early.”

  “Hello to you too,” he says, walking by me and pulling Kaia along.

  Rolling my eyes, I slam the door shut, and when I turn, Lincoln is glaring, his arms crossed.

  “Dad? You’re early. We still gotta eat dinner,” Charlie says, but Simon shakes his head.

  “I’ll take you guys to dinner. Go upstairs. I need to talk to your mom.”

  “But Lincoln cooked,” Louis says, getting up. “My favorite, ziti.”

  “He can save you some. Go on.”

  The boys look to me, and I hold my hands up calmly. “It’s fine. Go on upstairs. I’ll have Lincoln make you guys plates to go.”

  “No, he can leave,” Simon says then, and I laugh. Out loud.

  “You don’t get to decide who stays and goes in my house,” I say simply before ushering the boys upstairs. Charlie looks up at me, worry swimming in his brown eyes, but I kiss his forehead. “No big deal.”

  He doesn’t look convinced, but I don’t feel that way either as they run up the stairs.

  When I hear their doors shut, I turn to look at Simon and Kaia. “Let’s go in the kitchen,” I direct before glancing at Lincoln. “Can you make them plates?”

  “It’s not done yet. Another ten minutes.”

  “Okay, that’s fine,” I say, and I don’t want him to leave. “Wanna stay for a drink?”

  He nods. “Yeah.”

  Simon scoffs. “Yeah, you two aren’t fucking.”

  Lincoln’s eyes cut to him. “That’s none of your fucking business.”

  Simon snaps his lips shut, and I want to laugh as we enter the kitchen. I go to the other side of the island, offering them the barstools. Kaia sits down, but Simon stands as I cross my arms across my chest. “So? What’s up?”

  “So about the boys’ school.” I hold my breath as he pulls out some paperwork from his back pocket. “I’ve had some new guidelines drawn up.”

  He lays the papers on the countertop, but I refuse to touch them. When Lincoln hands me a glass of wine, I take it. “It doesn’t matter what guidelines you’ve had drawn up. They are insignificant. I’m not signing anything. I gave you the options.”

  He lets out a long breath. “I can’t afford it. I’m switching jobs.”

  I watch as Kaia looks down, and my brows pull together. “Switching jobs? Why would you leave a job that pays as much as the one you have?”

  “That’s none of your business.”

  I look to Kaia again, and I know that look. I shake my head. “It doesn’t matter where he works. He’ll always be a cheater.”

  “Don’t talk to her,” Simon bites out, but I don’t miss the way Kaia looks at me, such hurt in her eyes.

  “Watch your tone, Simon,” Lincoln warns, and Simon glares back at me.

  Still my gaze is locked with Kaia. I may hate her, but I wouldn’t wish what he did to me on anyone. Even the woman he left me for. “Get out while you can.”

  “Shut up!” Simon yells.

  Lincoln holds his hand up, his eyes menacing. “One more time, and I knock your teeth to the back of your throat. You talk civil to her, or you can leave.”

  Simon laughs. “You don’t matter, dude.”

  “Actually, I do,” Lincoln says simply. “You’re in her home. Respect her or leave.”

  Simon looks to me, and I stand my ground. “He’s right.”

  “Yeah, and you’re not fucking him.”

  I’ve had enough. Slamming my hand to the table, I point to him. “I don’t know what your obsession is with Lincoln, but it’s getting old,” I snap. “If you’re jealous, that’s your issue, not mine. Live your life, and let me live mine, okay? We are nothing to each other but parents to our boys. We don’t even need to talk unless it has to do with the boys. In this instant, you have your options. Choose one, let me know, and we’ll go from there. Lincoln is more than ready to homeschool them.”

  I feel Lincoln’s gaze on the side of my face, and when I look to him, he has this look on his face. Almost like he wouldn’t do it. I don’t understand, but I can’t ask in front of Simon. Inhaling hard, I say, “I think we’re done here. Nothing will change with the parenting plan from this moment on. Have a nice night.” />
  Simon throws his hands up. “You b—”

  “Watch it,” Lincoln says, cutting him off. “You won’t talk to her like that in front of me.”

  Frustration is written all over Simon’s face, but I have to say, I enjoy that he is scared of Lincoln. When he turns and yells for the boys, Kaia slowly starts to get up, but Lincoln stops her. “Why don’t you take this ziti with you?”

  She gives him a weak smile. “That would be nice. I’m not up to cooking anyway.”

  “Sure, hold on,” he says, and then he goes to work putting the pan in a travel bag as I look to her.

  Her eyes meet mine, and she bites her lips. “I’m really sorry.”

  “Not your fault.”

  “No, I mean about what happened. I don’t think I ever really apologized.”

  I swallow hard. “I appreciate your apology.” She nods slowly, looking away, and I say softly, “But seriously, Kaia, get out while you can.”

  When she looks back to me, I can see it in her eyes. She is going to make the same mistake I did and stay.

  Poor girl.

  When Lincoln hands her the travel bag, the boys come running into the kitchen for me. “Lincoln packed up the ziti for you.”

  Louis makes a face. “What will you eat?”

  I shrug. “I’ll manage.”

  Charlie hugs me. “Make sure you eat and not just work.”

  I smile before kissing his cheek. “I will.”

  “I love you, Mom,” Elliot says, and I kiss him next.

  “I love you. Have a nice weekend.”

  Walking with them, I notice Simon has already gone to the car, Kaia following behind, carrying the ziti without his help. Lincoln would never allow me to do that, but Simon is nowhere near what Lincoln is.

  Shaking my head, I watch the boys wave as they run to catch up before getting in the car. I wave when they look at me, and when the car pulls off, I step back, shutting the door behind me. I wish I didn’t have to let them go. I wish I could make Simon go away, and for the first time, I care enough about Kaia that I wish she would get out while she can. No one should go through what I did, but I’ll never have to deal with that again.

  I’m with a man who would never do that to me.

  Or at least I hope he wouldn’t.

  Where is Lincoln?

  “Hey.”

  “I’m still in here.”

  “Oh,” I say with a laugh. “I thought you’d have attacked me by now.”

  When he doesn’t laugh, my brows pull together before I enter the kitchen to find him behind the island, a glass of wine at his lips. “You okay?”

  He looks up at me and clears his throat. “We need to talk.”

  My heart sinks. “About?”

  “A lot of things, actually.”

  “Being?” I ask as I go to the island, reaching for my wine.

  He holds his glass in his hand, swirling his finger along the top, and I feel like he’s searching for his words. I’m unsure what is going on, but an uneasiness falls over me. Nervously, I say, “If this is about Simon, I’m sorry. He’s a jackass, but I was serious when I said I won’t deal with his shit—”

  “No, it’s not that. You handled that perfectly.”

  I bite into my lip, pride burning in my chest. I’m proud of myself for saying what I did, but having confirmation from Lincoln makes it ten times better. But I’m worried by the furrow on his forehead. “Okay, then what’s wrong?”

  Swallowing hard, he glances up at me. “The Ellentons called today.”

  I smile. “Don’t they always call?”

  He looks away, and something isn’t right. “Yeah, but today was different.”

  “Why is that?”

  He inhales, and his gaze cuts to mine. “They asked me to take my job back.”

  I swear my heart stops in my chest, but that is silly.

  Surely, he wouldn’t take it.

  “Okay?”

  “And I’m wondering if I should take it.”

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  Lincoln

  Vera’s lips part as her eyes widen.

  I was stressing all day after getting off the phone with Sharron. After promising to call her Monday with an answer, I’ve been going back and forth on what to do. On one hand, I know with the Ellenton kids I’ll have a job and I’ll be set for at least ten years, but here, with Vera and the boys, my time is limited.

  Unless she wants more with me.

  “I’m sorry?”

  I lick my lips—they’re incredibly dry—and I can’t ignore the thump of my heart. “I miss the kids, and they need me. Sharron isn’t handling at-home life, and she wants to go back to work. They offered me a lot of money and will pay for me to go over there.”

  “To Germany?”

  “Yeah.”

  Her eyes narrow. “What about your job here? With my boys?”

  “I would stay until you found another nanny.”

  “But how would the boys handle that?”

  “They’re doing great, and I’m sure we can find a good nanny for them.”

  “They love you.”

  “And I love them,” I say, and I mean it, but the more I think about it, the more I can’t keep staying here without knowing where we stand. “But this job is a great opportunity, and I’ve always wanted to see Germany.”

  “Wow,” she says, shaking her head. “I’m sorry, but this hurts.”

  “I don’t want to hurt you—”

  “But you are. I mean shit, Lincoln, what about us?”

  “What about us?” I ask. I want her to say it. I want her to say she wants me. “I don’t know what we’re doing, and when I asked earlier, you couldn’t answer me.”

  She gawks at me. “I was working! I told you we could talk later.”

  “Yeah, but when you said don’t rush things, I took that as we’re just fucking around.”

  “I told you from the beginning we weren’t fucking around! I told you I wanted you.”

  “I know, but do you want me for the long haul or just in your bed? Plus, you refusing to tell the boys bothers me. They know, I feel it, and Simon surely knows now, so what’s holding you back?”

  “I don’t know… Timing? I told you I needed time.”

  “And I need you. All of you. All the time,” I blurt out.

  When she looks up to me, her eyes are filling with tears. “Leave.”

  “What?”

  “Leave,” she says, shaking her head. “I don’t want to be around you right now. I thought we were doing something here, but you apparently weren’t really here.”

  “Yes I am!” I yell, throwing my hands to her. “I want this job, but I need a reason to stay here.”

  Her eyes widen. “I can give you four!” she yells. “Charlie, Louis, Elliot, and fucking me. Jesus Christ, Lincoln. What the hell? You told me I was enough, but apparently I’m not if you’re going to leave for a job.”

  “No, that’s not true. I just need to know—”

  “Oh really? Because everything you just said seems to mean otherwise!”

  I shake my head. “I just want to know if this has a future.”

  “Then fucking ask me!” she yells, her eyes filling with tears. “Instead of making me feel like my kids and I aren’t enough to keep you here. I mean, shit, Lincoln, I’ve been through that. I thought you were different.”

  I cover my face. “This isn’t what I wanted. I didn’t want this to turn into a fight. I just want to know what is going on with us.”

  “No, you want a fucking out, just like the fucker who cheated on me and left me. Well, guess what. I won’t let you hurt me. Get the fuck out.”

  “Vera—”

  “No, leave,” she says before throwing her glass in the sink. When it shatters, she doesn’t even stop. She stomps out the room, and while I want to chase after her, I know I shouldn’t because I just fucked up.

  But I’m not leaving.

  VERA

  As tears roll down my cheeks,
I slam my door shut and lock it behind me for good measure. I can’t believe him! I don’t understand what he thought would come out of that, but damn it, he just broke my heart! I believed him when he said he was different, that he wouldn’t hurt me, but obviously I was beyond wrong.

  God, I am such an idiot!

  Sitting on the edge of the bed, I cover my face as I cry. I’m embarrassed that I’m crying like this, but I can’t help it.

  I think I love him.

  Gah. I’m so stupid.

  I haven’t even known him that long, but it just feels right. I don’t want him to leave; I want him to stay here, be with me and the boys. Love us. Be with us, but apparently, we aren’t good enough.

  Again.

  As a sob leaves my lips, my mind is going a million miles a second. How will I tell the boys? They love him. So damn much. And how will I ever let anyone else own my heart again? I won’t. I will grow old by myself, and when the boys leave me, I’ll get birds to keep me company.

  Ugh. that isn’t the future I want.

  I want Lincoln.

  The thought of someone loving me, wanting me for forever—it is so appealing.

  But that is all over.

  Stupid Lincoln.

  I shake my head and then wipe my face. I look up at the ceiling, inhaling hard.

  I can’t believe him.

  When the doorknob starts to shake, my eyes widen. “Didn’t I tell you to fucking leave?”

  “Yeah, but that doesn’t mean I’m going to listen.”

  I glare at the door. “I have nothing to say to you. Leave!”

  “No.”

  “Yes!” I yell, but then I cry out when a foot comes through my door. “What in the hell!”

  “I told you I wanted to talk to you,” he yells through the hole before reaching through it to unlock the door. “And if I remember correctly, you once told me when you’re passionate about someone, you throw baseball bats. So you should appreciate this.”

  I did, but I wasn’t telling him that. “You asshole! You’re fixing that!”

  He slams the door open after walking through it like he owns it. I stand, glaring at him as he comes to me. “That’s fine, because I’ll fix everything as long as it means I don’t lose you.”