Page 65 of All In
For that reason alone, Maria needs to stay in the past.
Chapter twenty-three
2009
Maria
“Hey, Maria! Can you come in here for a sec?” Nate calls from our bedroom as I sit on Mason’s floor, folding what feels like thousands of pairs of toddler socks. He’s playing with his trains, his hair still a mess from sleeping, his sockless feet looking cuter than ever.
A groan escapes my mouth because I know I need to get up and answer him. If I don’t, he will march in here demanding to know why I didn’t run to his beck and call. “I’ll be right back, bubba.” I ruffle Mason’s hair as I peel myself off the floor, groaning because my abs are still sore from my workout the day before. The soreness causes Nate’s words from last week to ring out in my head.“Your stomach hasn’t quite recovered from Mason. Have you been working out the way you should be?”
Truth be told, I haven’t been. And I know how Nate feels about me looking fit and trim. I’ve only heard him remind me every day for the last eight years. Never mind the fact that his stomach resembles more of a wash tub than the washboard it used to be. But I keep my thoughts to myself and do as I’m told.
Ever the trophy wife.
I trudge down the hallway, bracing myself for what task he feels I need to accomplish today. Who knows what it could be? Scrubbing the kitchen floors,pulling out the furniture and cleaning underneath, vacuuming the drapes. It could be anything.
I’m basically Cinderella, who has birthed his children at this point.
As I make my way around the corner towards our bedroom, I follow the soft glow emanating from the en suite bathroom. Water sloshes around as he runs his razor through the sink. He slyly grins when he sees me through the reflection of the mirror. “Hey, you.” There is a playful look in his eyes, which is unusual for seven a.m. I ready my thoughts about the chore he is about to throw at me.
“So, I was thinking maybe we could go away this weekend. Just you and me. No kids. What do you think?”
Okay, I was not expecting that.
“Seriously?” I cock my head, my eyebrows shooting up in surprise.
He wipes his face down with a wet washcloth, ridding his skin of any remaining shaving cream, and tosses it on the vanity, not bothering to ring it out first. He sits his razor on top. White foam is everywhere.
“You look so surprised? Is it so shocking that I want to spend some quality time with my wife?” He’s walking into the bedroom now, a towel wrapped around his waist, his wash tub on full display.
“I mean no, of course not.” I answer quickly because I know better than to not agree with him.
If I’m being honest, a weekend away sounds like heaven. The kids are older now, and my mom or dad could keep them for the weekend. They would love it and will probably fight over who gets them.
“I was thinking my parents could keep the kids,” he interjects into my thoughts as he whips off his towel and pulls on his boxers. Of course,his parents.“Then maybe we could head to Finger Lakes for a couple of nights. I’ll find us a cabin.” He looks at me and waggles his eyebrows.
“Wait, I thought you had a conference this weekend with your department for work?”
He walks over to me and wraps his arms around my waist. He glances down at me, and for a fleeting moment, I see the Nate of old. There was somethingabout that Nate. He pulled me in like a gravitational force. That Nate was sweet, attentive, and made me feel sexy for the first time since Sam.
Desire fills his expression.
Locked in an intense moment with my husband, the idea of escaping to a secluded place and rediscovering each other feels incredibly enticing. The thought spreads through me like a warm blanket.
His lips brush over mine, then he pulls me in for an embrace, nestling his nose into my hair. “It got canceled,” he whispers. He tugs me closer, and the smell of his aftershave fills my nose. I melt into him, craving this attention and need from him. “God, you smell good,” he purrs.
Even though this feels nice and familiar, it also is … strange. I’m not understanding where this new tender Nate is coming from. He isn’t affectionate toward me anymore. Sex is more of a routine and, of course, only when he’s ready. I never seem to be a part of the equation. This has been an ongoing thing since Brielle was born. My body has changed after giving birth to two children. At thirty-four years old, I’m no longer the twenty-something he fell in love with. All lean and young.
Now, there are stretch marks, cellulite, sagging boobs, and dark circles under my eyes. And trust me, I know because Nate loves to point it out.
I try my best to put that aside and relish in the tenderness that Nate is offering right now. “That sounds nice. Let’s do it.” The words spill out of my mouth at the prospect of reconnecting with my husband. This could be a good thing. A new beginning.
He pulls back. “Really?” I nod my head in agreement. “Yes!” With a strong grip on my face, he leans in for a forceful kiss that unexpectedly fills me with laughter. “Okay, I’ll have my secretary make the arrangements today.”
He slaps me on the butt as he grabs his shirt and shoves his arms through the sleeves. His fingers are working the buttons when Nate of the here and now comes back. “So, start packing today, and we can leave right after I get home from work. I’ll have my mom pick up the kids around noon.” He’s pulling on his pants now. “And don’t pack that black lace nighty. It shows off too much ofyour stomach. You can’t wear that until you get”—he points to my abs—“that in order. You worked out last night, right?”
I nod.
