Page 151 of Stuck With You
“I’m no longer the reigning Miss USA, but also . . .” I exhale, glancing at him, realizing he must not have Googled me. “All of my accomplishments, my sponsorship contracts, and community affiliations were negated when Miles fabricated stories about my. . .extracurriculars. He made sure everyone was informed. I’d cheated on the adored news personality who was gaining fans and attention faster than I could even register what was happening. I couldn’t keep up with the lies.”
“You didn’t fight it?” he asks softly, but his question is filled with surprise.
I shake my head. “I was consumed with making sure I could feed these two and keep a safe roof over their heads. I couldn’t fight the reach he had, especially when all my connections had already dropped me.”
I gently rock Frankie back and forth, letting the shameful truth ease to the surface. The one it’s taken me all this time to consider.
“Achieving the Miss USA title had consumed my life, and then after, I still lived in that world. Having a team to tell me what to do and where to be. Modeling and working with organizations that offered assistance to disadvantaged women and children. But I’d gotten lost in it all. It was as if I’d lost touch with real life. My true self. And then . . . suddenly, I crashed back into a reality I’d spent years hiding from.”
His gaze shifts to me again, but I watch the kids, so thankful to be here, no matter how lonely or scary it’s been.
“You’re an amazing mom, Sarah.” His voice is as tender as I’ve ever heard it.
I want it to be true. So badly. I want nothing more than to do right by them. “You do what you gotta do, ya know?”
He nods slowly, and I’m sure he gets it.
The silence settles around us, and the vulnerability has left me feeling raw.
“I should probably get him in bed,” I say, knowing I could sit in front of the tree with Slade for the rest of the night. Just like this.
“I don’t want to tell the tree goodnight.” Ollie’s excitement has turned to whining. “It’s so b-b-beautiful.”
“I know, bud, but Santa won’t bring presents if you aren’t asleep.”
“Aww.” That gets his attention, and he stands.
“What do you tell Slade?”
Ollie stops in front of him before throwing his arms around Slade’s neck. “Thank you, Swade. This was my f-favorite day ever.” Slade wraps his arms around him, hugging him tightly. “Can you come over t-t-tomorrow and watch me open my presents?”
Slade runs a hand over his hair. “I think you should do that with your mom and Frankie, but do you want to come over to my house for lunch?” Slade’s eyes catch mine. “If it’s ok with your mom. Krissy and the guys will be there.”
“Are you watching f-football?” Ollie asks as if that’s a deciding factor.
“You bet.”
Ollie’s head snaps in my direction. “Can we?”
I push my lips to the side as if I’m thinking hard about it. “Only if you get in bed really fast. Nobody wants a fussy party pooper for Christmas.”
He giggles, releasing Slade, and darts back to the tree to snatch his fish.
“See you tomorrow, partner,” Slade says as he zips past him and down the hall toward his room, with Grover following.
Slade helps me stand without waking Frankie and carries the cookie sheet and plates to the kitchen. I lay her in her crib and meet him back in the living room.
“It’d be great if you could come tomorrow,” he says, slipping his arms into his coat.
I smile and nod, pulling in a breath and not really knowing what to say.
Slade is a gift I couldn’t have expected. He said this was the best day he’s ever had. This was a day I never knew existed, one filled with such happiness. The kind that is uninhibited and free.
But also, this man is stirring womanly things inside me that need to remain locked down tight. I cannot want things that could be hazardous to our friendship. The one I need to remain stable and uncomplicated.
Roxie said I needed him, and as much as I don’t want to. . .I do. I need him and the comfort he provides, just with his presence, if I’m going to make it through this next round with Miles.
“Thank you so much. Today was. . .the best day.” I twist to look at the colorful, flickering lights. I stare at the perfect tree, a lump forming in my throat.
