Page 80 of Mister Mom

Me: Don’t worry about me, I’m a pro.

Leo smacks me on the shoulder. “Let’s get home.” During all the texting I must have missed our announcement to board.

Me: Boarding now. See you tonight. <3

Layla: Can’t wait.

* * *

I step out of my car and walk up to the front door. By the time I got home, showered, and changed I had no time to relax, but I was able to catch up on sleep on the flight home.

When we separated, Jagger and Leo wished me good luck with telling Layla the truth tonight. I thanked them because I need all the luck I can get. I’m praying tonight ends with my mouth on her pussy, not her foot up my ass.

I wipe my clammy hands down my jeans and ring the doorbell.

Small footsteps sound from the other side and my heart warms knowing that Payne is going to be on the other side of the door to greet me.

“Never answer the door on your own,” a male voice says and the footsteps stop.

What the fuck? She hired a guy babysitter? It better be her father or a brother I don’t know about.

The door opens and my stomach drops to my feet, nausea sweeping in fast and furious. My worst fear just came true.

“Holy shit. Layla’s going out with you?”

“Carver?” My eyes have to be playing tricks on me. Her ex-husband is here and he’s answering the door like he fucking lives here?

“I haven’t seen you since that guest role on Abandoned.” He shakes my hand, a little firmer than I remember.

“Yeah,” is all I manage given that I’m still in a state of shock.

“Are you guys in production right now?” he asks and my gaze moves to Payne, who is standing in the doorway of the foyer and living room.

“Hey, buddy.” I raise my hand for a high-five and Payne comes over and smacks it.

“Yeah, Payne was telling me about how much he likes you. So, did you leave executive producing for nannying?” Carver laughs, ushering me into the house.

He continues to walk into the living room and I follow him since he’s yet to stop talking.

“I had no idea you went by a different name.” He sits down on the couch, Via nowhere to be found.

“Um…” I glance around, seeing no sign of Layla. “Yeah, I used a different name for all my production credits.”

He nods. “You and me both. My real name isn’t Carver Sterling.”

Go figure. I never even asked Layla if it’s her real name. Maybe it’s not and she’ll understand.

“Hey.” He leans in closer. “Does Layla know?”

I avoid his question and respond by saying, “I’m no longer with Abandoned.”

He chuckles. “No shit.” Then he holds his hands up. “I mean, news travels fast over pillow talk.”

I nod. Of course, he knows all about why I got fired when he’s been banging the instigator in question. I should have known better than to think Gwen would keep her trap shut.

“But does she know about you being executive producer of Abandoned? Does she know you’re Ryder Stone?” The smirk playing on his lips can’t be mistaken for anything but a power trip over the fact that he has something over me.

“What?” Layla’s voice appears behind me. “This is Vance Rose, Carver.”

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