Page 18 of Everything I Promise

Well, that makes sense. I didn’t use a realtor and I don’t get out much so I never would have met her.

Me:Gotcha. I’m excited to see you later.

Lacey:Me too. Oliver made you a painting at school and wants to bring it to you, are you free?

Me:Yeah. I was just about to go for a run, but I can hang around for a bit.

Lacey:Oh okay, we will be there fast. I promised him he could bring it before we went out. He refused to let me bring it myself. I’m sorry, I should have checked first.

Me:Excellent. Duke and I will be waiting outside for you guys. P.S. I’m ignoring your ridiculous and unnecessary apology.

I put my phone back in my pocket and grab the ball to go outside with Duke. We’re throwing the ball when I hear a car door. Duke runs over to the new arrival while I pick up his abandoned ball. But my smile drops when I see who it is. It’s not Lacey and Oliver.

Duke is sitting protectively between me and my ex-wife, barking and growling at her.

"Colton, call off this - thing." She waves a hand at Duke.

I take him by the collar and lead him up the stairs inside, his growling gathering the attention of Preston and Scarlett.

“Elizabeth, what are you doing here? Again.” I cross my arms over my chest.

“Colton, I got your little paperwork from your lawyer. Harassing you, really?” She scoffs.

“Yes, Elizabeth. And this is the actual definition of harassment. You really drove all those hours to come up here and tell me what exactly?”

Looking at her now, I can’t help but wonder what I ever saw in her. She’s too pretentious. Even now, she’s wearing six inch heels, and a tight skirt. Her hair is pulled back in a tight bun, nails perfectly manicured. Looking like she just left the office, except I can’t remember one day this woman has ever held a job.

“Colton. This is absolutely ridiculous. You cannot seriously want this divorce still?” She walks up to me and curls her hand around my neck.

I put my hands on her shoulders to push her away right as I see Lacey and Oliver walk up. I make eye contact with Lacey and worry she'll bolt.

Shit. Of course Lacey would see this exact moment. I bet this is going to set me back ten steps with her trust.

“Uh, I’m sorry, Colton, we’ll come back.” The look of hurt on Lacey’s face is the last straw for me with Elizabeth.

Elizabeth is staring at Lacey. Her lips in a tight line, her brows furrowed, her cheeks getting red, and I can tell she’s about to lose it. I have no idea how this situation will play out. Lacey cannot stand Elizabeth for what she did to me, for obvious reasons. Scarlett did not hold back when she told her sisters the story of what happened. I also didn’t hold back when talking to Lacey about her behavior. I’m afraid Lacey hasn’t heard much positive about Elizabeth.

Not that there is much positive to share. I married her because it was an attempt to please my father. After Preston refused to fall for our parents' plan to unite two wealthy families, Dad set his eyes on me, the second choice. I was young, and desperate for my father to be proud of me.Look where that got you.

"Hey, Buddy! I yell reaching for Oliver to come over. He is hesitant, sensing this isn't a good situation. "Why don't you go inside with Aunty Scarlett and I'll come see my painting in a minute?" He nods and runs up the stairs.

“Are you fucking kidding me, Colton? You’ve already moved on here to mommy? You didn’t want to waste any time getting those kids, did you?” Elizabeth steps away from me toward Lacey.

“Elizabeth. Stop. You need to go.” As soon as I say her name I regret it completely. Lacey’s whole expression changes.

Lacey's expression changes from one of hurt, to one of anger. She walks over toward Elizabeth and I. All I can do is stand there to wait and see what happens. Lacey comes and settles right under my arm and I don’t miss the way she strategically places my hand right on her ass.

I give Elizabeth one more warning to leave.

“Elizabeth, you need to go. Now.” I say with more venom in my voice than before.

“Like hell I do, Colton. Maybe you were the one cheating on me!” She looks Lacey straight in the eyes. “And you, I hope you enjoy my sloppy seconds. You’re in for a lot of disappointment if this is the best you can do.”

Lacey’s smile reaches her eyes. This is not going to be good. “Oh honey. I feel sorry for you. Colton is the best man and the orgasms he can give are out of this world. Why else would you have driven this far just to fight for him?”

After that glorious speech, she turns to face me. The moment her lips hit mine, and her hands fist my hair, I greedily take mychance. I cup both hands around her ass and take her mouth like it is the last kiss I’d ever get. After this showdown, it might just be.

“You have to be fucking kidding me. This is such bullshit, Colton!” The high pitched shrieking stops after I hear a car door slam. But knowing she is leaving doesn’t stop me from deepening the kiss with Lacey.

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