Page 3 of Out of Bounds
“Okay.” She thought I missed it, but I saw her little ass roll her eyes.
Maddie Claire knew if Kreed caught her in something that he didn’t deem age-appropriate, he would have a damn fit. I tried on several occasions to explain to that man how they don’t make clothes like they did back when we were growing up. Times are a lot different from what they were back then. However, I understood his plight, being that Maddie Claire was only eleven.
The issue wasn’t Kreed or Maddie; it was the fashion trends. At least the tennis skirt I sent her to try on was designed with the shorts underneath. As much as he fussed, I would let her get away with some stuff as long as it wasn’t too revealing. I tried to preserve as much of her youth as possible, but my baby was getting older. She had a skin care routine, for crying out loud.
Not only that, but she was getting into makeup and perfumes, asking to go to Sephora every other weekend. The makeup thing wasonlyallowed while she was at the house. I didn’t have a problem with her experimenting, but never at any point in her little eleven-year-old life will I let her outside of the house with anything on her face but some moisturizer. I wasn’t that damn cool of a parent.
When Maddie Claire came strutting out of the dressing room, I had her spin around a few times before approving the skirt. Once she’d changed back into her clothes, I ushered her toward the front of the store so we could check out.
“Is that all you’re getting or…”
She pondered for a few seconds before saying, “I think I need another crossbody.”
“Grab one for your sisters too.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
While she went off to grab their purses, I strolled to the register. We had one last stop to make before it was time for us to head back to the house, and I had a feeling this was going to be the highlight of her day.
I was thumbing through a rack of workout pants, while waiting on Maddie Claire to return, when I got a feeling that someone was watching me. My eyes did a quick scan around the store before settling on a familiar face. As familiar as it was, I couldn’t quite place where I remembered it from.
“Mom, do you like this one for Aurora?” Maddie Claire announced, snatching my attention away from the mystery woman.
“It’s cute. She’s not going to wear it, but I refuse to hear her mouth about not getting anything.” I giggled, hearing her voice in my head now.
“I think I’m going to get this one and get Charleigh Anne and Sophie a different color.”
“That works. I’ll be right here waiting.”
Turning back to where the woman was, I caught her watching Maddie Claire before her eyes met mine one last time. After giving me a faint smile, she turned and walked off.
That was weird as fuck,I thought to myself; probably anotherfanwho recognized my face.
I’d encountered a lot of weird shit being the wife of the Demon’s esteemed running back. There were women all over, waiting for a chance to take my spot. I was no stranger to the bullshit and the groupies. The last time a woman approached me, I just knew she was going to tell me that she had been sleeping with my husband. Instead, she tried to tell me how much of a fan she was. Okay—everybody was a fan; that was nothing new. And because the interaction didn’t sit right with me, Kreed was in the doghouse until I was able to confirm shereally was just arandom. I wasn’t naïve enough to think my husband had never been tempted. I mean, the man’s face was plastered everywhere.
My husband was Demon royalty, so the majority of the weird shit that happened really came with the territory. I didn’t let it bother me, though, because after being together for over fourteen years, Kreed and I were still head over heels in love. Nothing or no one could infiltrate our marriage, and that was something that I was willing to bet my life on.
“Okay… I’m ready.” Maddie Claire rushed out after having grabbed a few extra things.
I laughed. “Good, because I’m ready to go. What are we eating?” I asked and took everything out of her hand. Placing them down on the counter, I pulled out my card and waited for the cashier to total us out.
“Maybe Toast.” She shrugged.
“Or…” I sang. “How about we go to Tin Lizzy’s?”
She gasped. “Without Charleigh Anne?”
“Well, honey, you said you wanted it to be just the two of us. I thought that meant dining at your favorite restaurant.” I teased.
A wide smile broke out across her face. “I can keep a secret!”
“And so can I.” Holding my hand out, I locked pinkies with her.
Once the cashier finished bagging up our things, the two of us were out of the store and on our way to have lunch.
Kreed and I had five kids, and most of the time, we did everything as a family. Whenever one of them requested one-on-one time, I tried my hardest to honor their requests. I didn’t come from a big family—it was only my mom and me—so when one of my girls wanted me to themselves, I made it happen. The smile on my baby’s face let me know that she was enjoying her time with me, and that made me happy.
After having lunch, Maddie Claire and I went to Cinnaholicfor dessert, and after being out for a few hours, it was time for us to end the day and head home. Whipping my truck into the driveway, I slipped my phone out of the cup holder and dialed Kreed.
