Fool Me Once

by Brittany Crowley

  “Damn Lex. I’ve had this exact fantasy all day at work.”

  “Oh yeah?” I question using my hands for a couple second before dipping my head back down.

  I’m determined to make this amazing for him and set out to do so. Taking both of our minds off of what was just revealed on the other side of the door is an added bonus. If I dwell on it even for a second, it will suck me in, and I’ll be consumed with thoughts of Carter Larue when all I really want is my time with Nate Weston.

  I suck, I lick, I graze him with my teeth. It doesn’t take long to set him off into his climax, growling through his release.

  After I get to my feet, I stand in front of him and begin to shuck my clothes off. I stand stark naked in front of him and cock my eyebrow, he has me over his shoulder and running for my bedroom upstairs. I can’t hold back the laughter but stop immediately when he throws me on my bed and covers me with his body.

  For the rest of the night, Nate worships me with his hands, mouth, and cock. He has this way of lighting me on fire like I’ve never felt before. He makes me feel loved and wanted even when he’s dominating me.

  Like right now. I’m on my hands and knees as Nate slams into me over and over from behind. Things are flying out of my mouth I don’t understand. My hairs wrapped around his fist, and when he quickly pulls, my head pulls back, and I’m so close to orgasm I’m not above begging for it.

  “Touch yourself baby.” Nate smacks my right ass cheek, and I do as he commands. My hand finds its way between my legs and with a little pressure to my already inflamed clit, I break apart into a million pieces.

  I fall to the bed completely spent after Nate finds his own release. Unbridled, raw, passionate sex is the rarest thing to actually experience in life. Nate’s as rare as they come and he’s all mine. We’ll have to figure out how to continue this every night when we have my little girl because going back to am I too loud? Do you think she can hear me? Will never work again.

  “Now, about Carter…” Nate chimes in.

  “Nope, Carter is never to be brought up when I’m in my post-sex blissed-out haze. It’s a new rule.”

  Nate chuckles. “Okay Lex, we’ll talk about it tomorrow.” He leans over and kisses my forehead, then pulls the covers over us.

  Yes, tomorrow. Maybe I’ll be less inclined to kill Carter and whatever bullshit excuse he has for buying the neighbor across the street’s house when I’m not so wound up inside.

  That’s a big maybe.

  Chapter 26

  As I drive through town, I mentally prepare a speech in my head and rehearse it from start to finish numerous times. Hazel’s bobbing along to Taylor Swift in the backseat and thankfully doesn’t know the shit storm her father has brought upon himself.

  After I woke up in Nate’s arms the other morning, it hit me that Carter really did it. He bought the house across the street. Never mind the fact that I loved having the Paulson’s living across the street or that they have a daughter the same age as Hazel that we’d get together for play dates. What bothers me the most is that Carter’s across the street. A stone’s throw away from my front doorstep. Does the man know no boundaries?

  It’s been a hectic few days, and I haven’t had a chance to talk to Carter about his decision. I know he’s hung out with Hazel and Nate when I’ve been stuck at work. Hazel talks about him every night, and I’m happy she thinks the convenience of where he lives is so awesome. Before we go to bed at night, she makes me pull back the curtain, so she can wave her chubby arm towards Carter’s house to say goodnight.

  Somehow Carter’s always there waving back.

  I sigh audibly and resist the urge to bang my head on the steering wheel once I’m parked in my driveway. I told him to come over after we get home so we can have a serious chat although I’ve lost a lot of the fight in me with the wave at night thing. How can I be mad at something that makes my daughter so happy?

  There’s a knock on my window, and it takes me a few moments to turn my head and acknowledge Carter standing there waiting.

  “Have you been watching out your window?” I ask exiting my car trying to hold off a laugh.

  “It was two whole weeks I didn’t see Hazel. I’m making up for lost time.”

  “I know. Let me grab her, and we can head in the house.” I walk around the car and grab Hazel from her car seat.

  “Carter!” she cheers when she sees her dad behind me.

  “Baby girl.” He hesitantly reaches his arms out, and I nod letting him know it’s okay to take her. “How was daycare?”

  She sighs, “Boring.” She plants a kiss on his cheek causing him to grin.

  “Can you wait to yell at me until after I play with her?” he asks, a shy grin on his lips.

  “I suppose, but do not think you’re getting off easy.”

  “You forget I do know you, Lex.”

  We walk into the house, and Carter watches Hazel while I make dinner. Nate should be here soon, and I’m hoping that doesn’t add any more hostility. Although, Nate didn’t seem all that upset with Carter moving in across the street. I suppose that’s how guys make it through life, without worrying about the small things.

  After checking on the food in the oven, I make my way through the house to the toy room. I peak in and nearly die of laughter when I see Carter sitting there with the tiniest teacup in his hand, a feather boa around his neck and bonnet atop his head.

  “Carter, want juice?” Hazel asks topping up his fake cup of tea.

  “Yes, thank you.”

  She gives him a plate of air, and he eats every invisible crumb. “Doc McStuffins has a daddy. I never had one.”

  A look of surprise passes over Carter’s face before it softens. “Actually, you do. I’m your daddy, is that okay?”

  “Yes. That’s okay. You hug me sometimes.”

  “I do.” I can’t miss the tear that slowly slides from Carter’s eye before he quickly wipes it away.

  Hazel gets a serious look on her face. “What about Nate?”

  “He’s special to you too. Sometimes little girls are very lucky and have a bunch of people who care for them. You’re one lucky girl.”

  She thinks on it for a second then goes back to eating her fake cake.

  I forget why I’m mad at him. It’s not fair, I deserve to be mad. Especially since he just outed himself as Hazel’s dad without consulting me or having me there for it, but just like when we were dating, he always got a free pass. Seeing him with Hazel, how he responded to being asked that life-changing question, I think I’m okay with him living across the street now.

  It has been so easy over the past four years to play Carter out to be the villain. He didn’t want kids or marriage, he told me that straight out. Maybe he wasn’t ready to be a father, and if he stayed with me, the course of Hazel’s life would have changed for the worse? Maybe we would have been miserable together because he would have felt trapped. He’s here now, he’s ready now. How can I fault him for trying to play catch up on nearly three years of someone’s life? His daughter’s life.

  I think it’s time to leave the past in the past and look towards a bright new future. That future just happens to be my ex-boyfriend and my current boyfriend. What can go wrong?

  ***

  “Here, I pulled these out for you. You can take them home as long as you promise you won’t ruin them in any way.” I hand a few photo albums to Carter that I dug out earlier after I spied on them.

  “Wow, thanks for this Lex.” I don’t acknowledge him, so he calls my name to get my attention. “Lexi.” I look over. “Seriously, thank you.”

  I nod my head then lay my head on Nate’s shoulder. He showed up right when I was putting dinner on the table and hasn’t batted an eye at Carter being here. They’ve actually fallen into the same dynamic they’ve always had throughout the years they’ve known each other. It’s actually great to see and makes me feel a whole hell of a lot more comfortable.

  “Okay, let me have it.” Carter smiles at me
.

  “I’ve decided I’m going to let it slide. I’m sure you won’t invade my privacy.”

  “I won’t, I just have one thing on my mind, and that’s getting to know my daughter.”

  “That’s understandable,” I agree.

  “Well, I think it’s time for me to head home. I’ll be talking to you guys tomorrow.”

  “Hey, don’t forget we’re having Hazel’s birthday party this weekend,” I remind him.

  “Of course, do you guys need help with anything?”

  “I’m sure we can think of a few things,” Nate states as we all stand up and walk Carter towards the door.

  Tonight went really great. I can see our dynamic slowly morphing into something that’ll work for all three of us.

  “Why don’t you go get ready for bed, I’ll check on little H.” Nate kisses my forehead and leads me towards the stairs.

  I get to the second stair and turn around throwing my arms around his shoulders. “I love you, Nate. Don’t forget that.”

  “Never. Love you too baby.”

  Chapter 27

  I can’t stop laughing. I’ve never seen one person so scared in their life as Carter is of my mother right now. This morning’s gone off without a hitch. We’ve put up all the decorations, set up all the tables and chair and had a company deliver a bouncy house. Hazel’s been treated like a princess from the moment she was greeted by the three of us when she woke up.

  Carter showed up bright and early eager to see our daughter on her birthday. He even surprised us by bringing over a special outfit for her to wear. It’s a custom princess dress with matching tiara. To say Hazel loved it is a massive understatement.

  “Mom, would you chill? It’s a toddler’s birthday not Monday Night Raw.”

  “Seeing him so nervous is gratifying. Can’t I play with him for just a little longer?” She pouts.

  “No,” I laugh. “Now be a good mamaw and help me get the cake and ice cream.”

  “Fine.” She follows me into the house to grab all the sweet treats. “This cake is amazing.”

  It is. I special ordered a cake with a picture of Hazel in one of her fake tiara’s cheesing at the camera with Disney princesses scattered along the border. It’s one of my favorite pictures of the last year and fits the birthday theme so well.

  “So, how are things going?” Mom questions.

  “Really good actually.”

  “Am I supposed to believe that?”

  “Yup. I thought Carter showing up after all these years was going to be a curse of epic proportions, but it’s actually been nice having him back. For Hazel, of course.”

  “As long as it’s just for Hazel.”

  “Mom, I’m with Nate.”

  “Yeah and once upon a time, you loved Carter. It’d be very easy for your emotions to get confused.”

  “I’m not confused.” I grab the cake and mom follows me with two cartons of ice cream in her hands.

  As all our loved ones gather around to sing Happy Birthday to Hazel, I count my blessings. I look from face to face seeing Nate’s family, my family, Amanda, and the girls from my store. Everyone came to celebrate my baby’s birthday.

  “You okay?” Carter asks.

  “Yeah, I’m fine.” He squeezes my shoulder then helps dish out the ice cream.

  A while later after the cake’s been eaten, presents had been opened and many hours in the bounce house were spent, I finally put Hazel to bed. She had a full day of excitement and fell asleep almost instantly.

  I walk out of the house and in on what looks to be an intimate moment between Monique and Carter. What the hell? Carter’s hands are on her hips, and he’s leaning into her, saying something in her ear. Why does he have to be whispering to her when there’s no one else out on the patio?

  “Oh, hey Lexi.” Monique jumps away from Carter.

  “Don’t let me interrupt.” Even I can hear the jealousy in my voice. I quickly grab the empty plates, throw them into the trash, and head back into the house.

  “Whoa, what just happened out there?” Carter asks following me into the house.

  “Nothing. Why would something be wrong?”

  “It seemed like you were a little jealous when you saw me with Monique.” Carter cocks an eyebrow at me in challenge.

  “Nope. Why would I be jealous?”

  Carter walks towards me until my back hits the kitchen island. His arms frame me in, and the closeness of him has my heart racing. “Because you wished my hands were on you?”

  “Don’t be silly. Back up please.” I swallow hard as Carter’s scent wafts up my nose. It’s familiar, exactly as I always remembered it.

  “You can fight this for as long as you want, but just know, I’ll be here waiting when things don’t work out with Nate.”

  At the mention of Nate, I push him back. “You’ll be waiting a long time then.” I’m happy my voice comes out strong and confident.

  “You forget I know you, Lexi, maybe better than anyone else.”

  “You knew me, Carter.”

  Crap, how did I not see this coming? I thought Carter wasn’t even the slightest bit interested in me and here he is clouding my thoughts and calling out my feelings.

  “The backyard’s all cleaned,” Nate states coming into the house and thankfully Carter’s several feet away from me. “Everything okay?”

  “Everything is fine. Carter was asking my advice on dating Monique.” I don’t take my eyes off Carter.

  “Good choice man. Monique’s got a level head and her shit together.”

  “Thanks,” Carter says but never removes his eyes from mine.

  I need to get him out of my house.

  “Man, I’m beat. I think I’m going to head up to bed. Thanks for helping out today Carter, I’ll be talking to you soon.” I fake yawn hinting at Carter that it’s time to leave.

  “Count on it.”

  Chapter 28

  I can’t believe how fast time flies by. We were just celebrating Hazel’s birthday, and now she has her first day of school.

  I’m a mess, I can’t help it. I have to send her off into the unknown to spread her wings in this crazy world.

  “It’s just preschool,” Nate laughs finding me holding Hazel’s baby blanket and sobbing. “She’ll be back in two hours.”

  “Let me wallow. I birthed her for twelve hours, I have a right to cry at all the milestones in her life.”

  Nate’s face goes soft, and he comes and wraps his arms around me. “She’ll be fine. I told her if a boy gets too handsy to kick him in the balls.”

  I gasp. “You did not? Oh lord, my daughter’s going to be expelled from preschool.”

  “I’m kidding.” He squeezes me harder but at least he’s taken my mind off of my misery for a few minutes.

  Hazel comes running into her room completely excited about school. She’s been there for orientation to meet her teacher, and she’s eager to go and play with all the toys. As I gaze at my daughter, a vision of the first time I held her in the hospital pops into my mind. How have three years flown by so fast?

  “Alright, we have to go before we’re late. Carter’s waiting outside, he texted me that he’s here.”

  “Let’s go!”

  “Of course, baby. I’ll come with you.” She leaves the room, and I take one last look around her bedroom. I can’t believe she’s not my baby anymore. The twin bed we switched for her crib a few months ago is decorated with stuffed animals and bright-colored blankets. The changing station that used to sit pretty off in the corner is now occupied by a dresser. With a stuttering breath, I walk out of her room and into the next chapter of Hazel’s life.

  We find Carter leaning on my car with a pair of aviators on his face. His face lights up when Hazel comes bombing at him, and it warms me to see them together like this. Hazel asked Carter last night to come for her first drop off, and he said yes, naturally. He was already planning on coming when I mentioned it to him a few weeks ago.

  We all pile i
nto my car as Nate drives us the short fifteen minutes to the only preschool in town. Willow Creek may have a high tourist rate, but as a town, our populations low. At orientation, we found out Hazel only has four other kids in class with her. I suppose that’s better than a large class, even though she’s used to the hectic pace of daycare.

  The teacher comes out and calls her to line up. With her princess backpack on her shoulders, Hazel marches over and gets in line as even more tears stream from my eyes. A warm hand squeezes my shoulder after I fight back a sob and when I look over I’m surprised to find its Carter, not Nate. He also has tears in his eyes and shrugs like it’s no big deal.

  This is a big deal.

  It all happens so fast that I find myself childless and standing outside the preschool blubbering like a baby.

  “Why don’t we all grab some breakfast?” Nate asks. Carter agrees after I do. I won’t reject a couple thousand carbs calories to drown my sorrows.

  In the car, I fix my makeup and realize this is good. She could be one of those kids afraid to leave me and fight to go into school. I’ve prepared her for this. She’s ready for school and has a great support system to show her everything’s okay.

  Me, Nate, and Carter. We’re her support system.

  I think I’m finally okay with that. Carter’s kept things platonic since the night of Hazel’s birthday party. I think he’s gotten the hint seeing Nate and me together and knows there’s not a chance between us.

  “Is parenting always this tough?” Carter questions.

  “Letting her go has been the hardest so far, but you should have seen me the first time she walked. You would have thought she cured cancer,” I laugh.

  Nate excuses himself to go to the bathroom and leaves me alone with Carter.

  “Thanks for letting me tag along Lex.” Carter smiles.

  “No tagging along, you deserved to be there.”