Cry For You_A Second Chance Romance

by Shaniel Watson

  “I know. It’s—I’ve never been incapable of taking care of myself, completely on my own, and had a sick, cranky child to take care of, too. So forgive me if I’m a little on edge.”

  “I know. I’m sorry I raised my voice, but I made a promise to someone that I really need to keep. It’s important that I be there, too. I know you don’t give a shit, but cut me some slack. I’ve been accommodating to a fault, busting my ass to take care of you, and neglecting someone I care about.”

  “You didn’t marry her or have kids with her. You promised me sickness and health. Yes, right now we are not together, but I’m still your wife, this is still your child and your home. I don’t think helping us should be such a chore or burden on your life.”

  “Bree, give me a break. Lay off the guilt trip.”

  “No. If things were reversed, and I was moving on with another man, if you needed my help, I would be there for you. Because above everything else, you’re the father of my son, and that makes us still family. And thank you, I’m admitting that you’ve been great since my accident. You’ve stepped up. I’m only thinking of Jackson right now. If he calls and needs you, and I can’t manage, will you be here?” She looks at me like there’s a doubt I will.

  “You know I will.”

  “That’s all I needed to know.”

  The door opens, and the girl of my dreams is standing before me. “Hi. You look beautiful.”

  She leans her head against the door with hardly a smile on her face. “No, I don’t.”

  “Sweatpants and T-shirts are the new in thing. Sexy as hell.”

  “You’re such a liar.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “The day’s over.” She looks down. “I didn’t think you were going to come.”

  I reach out, touching her face. “Stupid of me, I know I should have called. Jackson was throwing up—”

  “Is he all right?” Obvious concern on her face, her eyebrows come together.

  “We think it’s a twenty-four-hour bug going around. When I left he was asleep with Bree, his favorite place when he’s sick.”

  “Every child feels better in their parent’s bed.”

  “Not parent’s. Only Bree’s,” I say, emphasizing it’s not our bed. Hers and only hers. “He should be fine.”

  “That’s good. I hope he feels better soon. Come in.”

  Soon as we’re inside, I pull her into my arms, not giving her a chance to put the distance between us I felt as soon as she opened the door. “I’m sorry our day was ruined. You have to believe me; I tried to make it over as soon as I could.”

  “I believe you. What are you supposed to do when your kid gets sick? Leave them to spend time with some girl? I have a child; I get it. They have to come first.”

  “They do. But I need you to know you are a priority in my life. You’re the woman of my dreams, the one I’ve longed for, always wanted.” Her lips part, and the look in her eyes tells me how unsure of me and my words she is. I instantly want to erase those wavering doubts, because whether she believes it or not, she’s it for me. She and Jacob are as important to me as Jackson.

  “Lace.” My finger slips under her chin, holding her pretty, sweet face up to see as well as hear me. “You are a priority in my life. I will not take you for granted. I should have found the time to let you know what was happening today. I promise you next time I will, so you don’t ever have to worry.” Her lips tremble as she looks into my eyes, and I’m overcome with such emotion from this woman I’ve always loved and couldn’t forget if I wanted to. “I will never leave you again.”

  “I don’t want you to think I’m weak, that I need constant reassurance. But listening to you with your family isn’t easy for me. Especially when you’re having movie night, laughing in the background with your family, having someone call you her husband, and you don’t even bother to correct them. And Jackson, he seems happier than the night he was here.”

  “This is new territory for me—for us—building back trust.”

  “Landon, when you left all those years ago, I was so damaged. Doubts are always in my mind.”

  “Don’t doubt what I feel for you, Lace; it’s stronger than you know. I won’t leave you. I’m yours.” I kiss the corner of her parted lips. “This is new terrain. I’ve never been in the beginning of a divorce and in love with someone else. I’m making mistakes and learning from them. Trust me. Give me a chance to prove myself worthy of you the way I couldn’t…” I falter, as usual, whenever my mind wanders back, not wanting to say it out loud.

  The way I couldn’t the night I walked away, leaving her alone and broken.

  Hands on my face, she kisses me deep, so sweet. My hand sinks into her hair, soft strands against my fingers. As I take over her lips in a kiss straight from the heart of me, I moan, one word on my lips as my tongue brushes the roof of her mouth, stroking against hers. “Sweet. So sweet. I want more, Lace. Can I?”

  “Yes, please,” she says, wet lips parted, eyes heavy with want, breath accelerating.

  So sweet. “I missed you. You are always on my mind.” I brush her hair back, telling her between kisses as I lift her up. She finds the edge of my shirt, going under, her fingers tracing up over my stomach. I suck in a sharp breath at her touch. “So sweet, I want to taste all of you.”

  Pulling her shirt over her head, I let it drop to the floor, walking her back, placing her on the kitchen counter. She moans as my hands roam over her breasts. I know I should take her to her room, but fuck it. I haven’t seen her in what feels like forever. She feels so good in my hands, and the taste of her…I can’t wait.

  “Take this off, please,” she says, tugging on the hem of my tee. Regretfully my hand leaves her hardened nipples, pulling my shirt over my head. Her eyes land on her name, permanently inked on my chest. Biting down, releasing her lip, she wraps her perfect legs around me, making the uncomfortable bulge in my jeans strain to get out. She kisses what will forever and always be a part of me, eliciting a raw sound from my chest as her tongue traces each elegant line and scroll of her name.

  “God, Lacey baby. So fucking sweet.” My fingers sink into the hair at the base of her scalp, grasping for control. I pull her away before I lose it, the last thing I want to do with her. “I want to taste you. I need to, right fucking now.”

  Eyes dazed with lust, she says, “Yes.”

  Pulling her off the counter so fast she gasps, I make quick work of removing her pants. In one smooth action, her pants and underwear are left on the floor, and I’m scooping her up by the waist, planting her bare, sexy ass on the cool marble. Her hands splay back behind her, beautiful breasts skyward. I spread her legs wide, going in for what I need, no hesitation.

  The first lap of my tongue against her folds, and I moan, eyes closed. She shivers. “Sweet.” Her hips rise, and I open my eyes, my mouth taking her moist heat in, sucking the nectar that is her. Lace, my Lace. My tongue gets to work, sliding in and out of her body while she rides my face. I watch her fall deeper into ecstasy at every suck, flick, and moan I vibrate through her core, her sighs pushing me on. Worshipping her with my mouth is a singular pleasure.

  “Oh, Landon,” she moans and writhes, one hand grabbing my hair, holding on, her hips setting the pace, telling me what she wants.

  I gladly comply, giving her what she wants, a slow steady ride on my face. “So sweet. So fucking sweet.”

  Her head falls back, almost limp, and I can tell she’s close, oh so close. But I can’t—not here, not like this. Not this time. Abruptly I pull away, chest heaving, nostrils flaring. I yank down my zipper, freeing myself. “Lacey, look at me.”

  “Don’t stop, please, don’t stop,” she rasps, wrapping her arms around my shoulder.

  “Never, baby, but not like this. Not tonight.” I kiss her lips, pulling her hips forward, sinking into her soft depths of wet heat. We groan together, eyes closed. I kiss her neck, holding still, gathering myself.

  Joined together, she clings to me as I bring her t
o the bedroom and place her on the bed. My jeans around my ass, I push into her, sealing our joined bodies tighter together. She pushes back, as hungry for me as I am for her, making me grunt. “Lacey baby, I need to take this off. I want to do this properly. I want us to see everything in each other’s eyes when the beautiful moment comes and you let go. I want to show you everything inside of me, unobstructed by clothes, fear, regrets, and yes, even doubts.”

  “No, don’t leave me. Stay with me. Make me feel,” she breathes, hips swirling against me.

  I curse, harsh and low. God, I’m undone when she slides her feet along the inside of my jeans, pushing them to my ankles. Both of us moving and rocking against each other, teamwork at its pleasurable finest, until I’m freed.

  Holding her head still with both my hands, I crash into her over and over again. She arches her back off the bed. She kisses me, taking the lead, panting and gasping. Fingers stroking and pulling at every curve, bend, and flex of muscles in my back, as I work in and out of her, bringing her closer and closer to the point of doubtless days and heated nights.

  I palm her ass as I stroke into her one last time, pressing against her mound. Her body tightens, contracting around me. Dragging the breath from my lungs, I harshly scream her name as she chants mine, our bodies and voices coming together in a crescendo of hoarse screams and sighs.

  Staring down at her lips, swollen and wet—she’s a goddess. I see everything, in her eyes— a constellation of beautiful stars of all she is: fear, doubt, trust, love. My Lacey baby.

  “Am I crushing you?” I shift to move, but she holds me close.

  “Stay. I like the way you feel. As if you’re a part of me, grounding me. I like it.”

  I bury my face in the crook of her neck, pressing my lips against her skin. “I like it too.” But even so, I shift my weight a bit to the side. “Let me know if I get too heavy.” In answer, she rubs the side of her face against mine. I can’t help but inhale her scent, the scent of us.

  “I love you.” I stroke her hair, holding her close.

  “I know,” she says distantly.

  I don’t think she knows how much I do, but if she only did.

  The last thing I want to hear happens: the phone rings, and I internally groan, because even though I haven’t seen who it is, I already know. And as much as I don’t want to answer, I have to. I stroke her hair, giving her a kiss. I sit up, reach for my jeans at the end of the bed and pull my phone out of my pocket. “Hello.”

  “Right now?” I rub at my eyes. “Is it an emergency? I know what I said. If he needs me, I’m there. I will always be there for him no matter what…all right. I’ll be there. Put him on.” A short pause, then Jackson’s little voice comes through. “Hey, buddy. I know. Don’t worry, I’ll be there soon. Lay back down with mommy. I’ll be there as soon as I can. Love you, buddy.”

  I don’t want to turn around and be faced with yet another broken promise. Her warm hands wrap around me, her lips pressed against my spine. “I’ll come back. I’ll stay until he falls asleep.”

  “That’s silly. You’d be setting yourself up for a night of driving back and forth. Your son is sick. I understand. Go.”

  I feel like the worst boyfriend and a crappy dad. Because in all honesty, I want to stay here with her, so she knows she is cared for. No more, no less. She is equally as important.

  I get home, and they’re awake. Despite it all, I smile, seeing my son with Bree, holding him in her arms, awkwardly half-sitting up with her leg elevated.

  She looks at me, relief evident. “I’m so glad you’re here.” She lightly strokes his hair off his forehead. “He wouldn’t stop asking for you. He woke with a slight fever. Not enough for medication. He said he had a dream you left and didn’t come back.”

  “Hey, bud.” I kiss his forehead, and he’s warm.

  His eyes barely open. “Daddy. You came back.”

  That shit breaks my heart, that he would even have a doubt I would. I sit on the other side of the bed, pulling him into my arms. “I will always come back for you. I love you.” Bree smiles at me and strokes his back. A short while later, his breathing evens out. He’s sound asleep, and so is Bree, with her head resting on my shoulder.

  This is what it should be. I feel guilty, and torn in two different directions. I should be happy with this. But I’m not. Not without Lace. It’s hard to explain that to your kid and a woman who still loves you, who in many ways I still love.

  I pull out my phone and send I message to Lace. One I hope she knows.

  Landon: YOU HAVE ME.

  I stare at my screen, alone in bed with those words from Landon. And I wonder…Do I?

  I haven’t had you for six years; they have.

  The next weekend

  Lace, I’m sorry.”

  “Yeah, you’re sorry, but he’s going to be so disappointed. He’s been looking forward to this for two weeks.”

  “I know. I feel bad. I didn’t even remember I agreed to this. It was so long ago. With Bree, Jackson, work, and us, things have been sort of crazy. I’m truly sorry. I’ll talk to Jacob.”

  “That’s all right. I’ll do it. I’ll take him out for ice cream. We’ll go to the garage to visit Shay and the guys.”

  “I swear I’ll make it up to him.”

  “Okay. Where did you say you were going again?”

  “Her parents are having a small dinner party with her sister and brother. I actually get along really well with her family. They don’t know yet about our split. I’m going to drive there for the day with Jackson and her. We will tell her parents about the divorce before we leave.”

  Jacob didn’t get his guy weekend. He was very disappointed. He was so looking forward to spending time alone with Landon, a chance to feel like he was special because this man was spending time with him, giving him his undivided attention for a little while. Then it didn’t happen. Sadly, I knew exactly how he felt.

  This weekend didn’t work out the way he wanted to, but he bounced back after ice cream and spending the day being mechanic’s helper with the guys and Shay at the shop. He really was my little grease monkey. He was covered with it when we left the garage. He was happy; that’s all that matters.

  I had to work on Sunday, so I decided to leave work early on Monday to surprise him by picking him up from school. The first person I see is Jackson, running with two boys, but I don’t see Jacob with him. Usually, once I spot one, I will see the other not far behind. Walking closer, I call him over.

  “Hi, Jackson.” He screeches to a halt in front of me, out of breath, smiling.

  “Hi, Jacob’s mom.”

  “Where is Jacob? He’s not playing with you today?”

  “No. He’s over there.” He points across the way.

  He is all the way across the yard, playing with a little girl and boy, not with his best friend as usual. I guess things with them haven’t bounced back like I thought they would by now. “Thank you.”

  I’ll have a talk with Landon and see what we can do to make sure their close friendship stays intact despite all the grown-up stuff going on around them. Relationships are hard to manage, especially when they involve kids, but if it weren’t for these kids there would be no Landon and me again. I’m reminded of his weekend away, and wonder how it went. I know Landon would tell me if I asked, but things are different from a child’s perspective, and they’re most often brutally honest.

  “How was your weekend with your grandparents, Jackson?”

  “It was a lot of fun. We got to spend an extra day. We all went to the park and had a picnic. Aunt Heather, Uncle Bobby, and all my cousins—a family reunion, Grandma called it.”

  “That sounds exciting.” I try to sound excited, him being obviously over the moon about the family reunion weekend that was only supposed to be a day. No mention of family reunion to me when Landon explained. “Was there a dinner at the family reunion?”

  “It was a big dinner. Grandpa and Grandma’s anniversary. That wasn’t as fun. I
t was a lot of grown-ups. We had to dress up; I don’t like ties. Everyone danced, even mom and dad.”

  Danced? On a broken ankle? “How did they do that with your mom’s hurt ankle?”

  “My dad held her in his arms, and everyone cheered and laughed and said we were a beautiful family. My mom and dad are together, and he’s not leaving us.” He smiles up at me, eyes bright, like a shiny new penny.

  Beautiful indeed. I feel sick. He lied to me. He lied.

  His friends call his name, and he looks over at them. I’m done. I don’t need to hear any more, so I let him run off to play with his friends. I turn around, crushed, and get Jacob. Walking back to my car, I see his teacher talking with two of the other moms. As if this couldn’t get any worse, she waves me over. I notice at the same time she’s waving at the person I don’t want to see right now. I tell Jacob to wait in the jeep for me and buckle up.

  “Lacey, it’s nice to see you. I was telling the moms about the great report you and Landon did with the boys. Maybe they could have you help them on the PTA, if you had time?”

  The moms look at me and smile as Landon joins the group with Jackson, greeting everyone and smiling at me. Thank goodness, it’s not the same ones who ambushed me.

  “Hi, Lacey.”

  “Hi.” I keep my face emotionless. His brow lifts at my lukewarm greeting.

  “Landon, how’s your wife doing? Jackson told us how great you’ve been,” Mrs. Pear says, smiling at Jackson. “He can’t stop talking about his mom and dad these days. How you do everything, including cooking and cleaning, the grocery shopping too.”

  “I’m just doing what I can. After tomorrow she’ll be well enough to be up and about on her crutches.” He looks at me.

  “Don’t you downplay how great you have been. We heard from some of the moms, singing your praises. We should nominate you for the father of the year,” one of the moms gushes.