Page 132 of All of Me

I slide my hand down her back, fingertips tracing the curve of her spine before tilting her chin up, kissing her deeper. Her sigh melts into my mouth, her body pressing closer as I roll her beneath me again, the tool belt forgotten for now.

forty-five

WASTING ALL THESE TEARS - CASSADEE POPE

CALLIE - SEPTEMBER 5, 2014

Ihear Adam’s car before I see it, the low rumble of his engine cutting through the quiet of the morning. Through the front window, I watch him pull into the driveway, grip the steering wheel for a beat longer than necessary, then finally step out. I brace myself as I open the door, already knowing this conversation is going to be a pain in my ass.

Adam’s birthday is in a few days and he decided he’d like to have the girls for his birthday. Apparently he’s a holiday parent because he’s only had the girls once since Sara’s second birthday in June.

I step onto the porch before he can even think about heading inside, pulling the door shut behind me. He notices immediately, his brows lifting slightly.

“You’re not even going to let me in?”

I fold my arms. “Nope.”

A flicker of something crosses his face—annoyance, maybe—but he hides it quickly. “Seriously?”

“Seriously,” I say evenly. “You don’t come into my house anymore, Adam. You lost that privilege when you threatened my husband in my living room.”

He exhales sharply, shaking his head. “That was months ago.”

“And I haven’t forgotten.” I tilt my head. “You’re lucky Owen isn’t home, or you wouldn’t even be standing on the porch.”

His jaw tightens, but he doesn’t argue. He knows I’m right.

I shift my weight, crossing my arms. “The girls are almost ready, but I need to tell you something before you take them. We need to figure out different arrangements for pickups and drop-offs.”

Adam frowns. “Why?”

“Because we’re moving in November.”

His expression hardens instantly, his whole body tensing like I just told him I’m taking the kids to another country. “You’re what?”

I let out a slow breath, already bracing myself for the fight. “We’re moving to Cedar Bluff.”

His nostrils flare. “You’re moving my kids without telling me?”

“I am telling you,” I say, my voice even. “And don’t act like I owe you some kind of formal announcement. It’s an hour away. Not across state lines.”

“That’s still farther than here,” he snaps.

I resist the urge to roll my eyes. “Barely.”

“You’re making it harder for me to see them.”

I let out a dry laugh. “Oh, give me a break. You barely see them as it is, but now suddenly it’s an issue?”

His glare sharpens. “You’re moving for him.”

I exhale sharply, pinching the bridge of my nose. “I’m moving for our family, Adam. We’re moving so we can be closer to Barrett, so the kids can grow up together. That’s why we’re moving.”

“You’re taking my kids away from me,” he spits.

I step closer, my voice low but firm. “You moved out of Hawkridge a long time ago, Adam. In fact, you’ve moved several times to several different towns. Including moving in with yet another new girlfriend. You didn’t ask me how I felt about it. You didn’t care if it made me uncomfortable that you had a revolving door of women around my children. But now, becauseI’mthe one moving, it’s suddenly a problem?”

His mouth opens like he wants to argue, but I don’t let him.

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