Page 66 of Breakaway

“Why?”

Nevaeh takes a deep breath, holding my gaze. “I was unhappy. Lost. I didn’t know what to do to make things better, so I changed my style…completely.”

I sit up and wrap my arms around her waist. Our eyes lock. “Are you happy now?”

“Yes.”

“Do you feel lost?” I ask, moving my hands up to gently massage her tits.

“Not anymore.” Nevaeh sighs loudly, winding her hands around my shoulders.

“Good.”

I put my hand on the back of her neck and draw her to me for a kiss. There’s definitely a silver lining to waking up so early—even if I need to fly halfway across the country, I still have time to fuck my gorgeous wife.

The thought sizzles right through me, causing my heartbeat to go insane. This marriage isn’t real. It’s temporary.I don’t want this to turn into something more.

Another lie I’m telling myself.

1 ?????? ??? ??????????. — Just it’s impossible.

2 ???? ????? ? ??? ????? — Though why am I lying to myself?

3 ??? ?????? ??? ???? ?… — It should’ve been me…

Chapter 26

Next Time, Wear Mine

NEVAEH

I throwa ball to Cooper and watch him race after it down the hallway. I smile; the joy I feel makes my body buzz with excitement. Today is the first game of the season, and I’m going, but not just as a hockey fan. Not just as Angie’s friend either. I’ll be there cheering for my man, and I hope with all my might that the California Thunders win. I know it will make Roman happy, and that means I’ll be happy too. For him.

At this point, I’d sell my soul to the devil if it would bring my favorite grin to his lips. The one where the corner of his mouth quirks up, a barely visible dimple on his cheek. It’s a half smile. Hesitant. As if he’s afraid to be happy, as if it’s a crime. He’s so wrong about that. Roman deserves to be happy, to have more reasons to smile. If only he could see himself the way I do…

“Coop,” a child’s voice says, and I look down to see Layla’s daughter, Maya, stop beside me. Her tiny arm wraps around my leg. My insides feel fuzzy and warm, and there’s a cheerful beam on my lips. Giddiness fills me to the brim. I never really hung around kids until Angie and Drake started dating. I preferred the company of adults and kept my distance from people with children. That changed pretty quickly after I got to spend timewith Maya, and later with Ava’s kids, Michael and Meghan. I’d been missing out on so much fun.

“You want to play with Coop?” I ask. Maya looks up and nods, her little ponytail bouncing up and down.

Kneeling to her, I wind my hands around her and lift her, pressing her close to my chest. Her tiny palm rests on my collarbone, and she smiles at me shyly. Her chocolate brown eyes peer at me from behind her pink-framed glasses. She’s such a cute girl, with puffy lips and an upturned nose. She reminds me of her mom, with the exception of her brown hair, which she got from her father. At least, that’s what Layla said once, or more like let slip, because “that man doesn’t even deserve to be talked about.”

It hurt to hear her say that. Not only because Maya is wonderful and that douchebag is a fool for abandoning them, but because it resonated with me…and I felt seen. My parents never needed me. I had everything I wanted except their attention. Damn if I wasn’t yearning for them to notice me. For them to love me and be proud of me. It felt like I was a necessary step in the progression of their marriage, a milestone to be achieved, but never truly their daughter.

So, afraid of opening old wounds, I avoided people with kids. I’d see the parents’ love for their children and regret how my own family treated me. Maybe that’s why I’m so attached to Maya now, because in a way I see myself in her.

“Coop!” I call out, and the Doberman runs toward me, the ball between his teeth. He lets me take the toy from him, and I give it to Maya. “Throw the ball, baby. He’ll bring it back to us.”

Her small fingers curl around the ball, and she takes it from me. Maya smiles as she throws it. It lands pretty close to us, but it still has Cooper fumbling as he dashes to catch it. Maya’s giggles reverberate through my body, and I can’t help but laugh too.

We play some more and only stop when Angie comes to remind me that we’re leaving in twenty minutes. I pet Cooper, patting the fur between his ears, and then go to the living room. Maya is still in my arms, her fingers playing with my locks.

“You look so cozy together. Any chance I can convince you to work as my nanny?” Layla jokes. She’s sitting on the couch, a mug of coffee between her palms.

“Sorry, but I love my job a little too much.” I glance at Maya and start smiling from ear to ear. She’s so adorable. “But I wouldn’t mind watching her for a weekend. I’m sure it would be amazing.”

“Oh, I’ll definitely take you up on that offer. I haven’t gone out in an eternity,” Layla says, her gaze sliding to her daughter. Her features soften, and she leans over and places her mug on the table. “Did she try to take her glasses off?”

“No. We were too busy playing with Coop.”

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