Page 10 of Perfect Alpha

She’s currently ready to kill me, but the relentless tapping of her foot and the impatience rolling off her body in waves is not enough to make me retreat.

Besides, she’s hot as hell when she’s pissed off, and make-up sex with that passionate girl was out of this fucking world.

“We have a home health care aide twice a day,” Hannah admits, staring down at her feet. “It’s called respite care, and it gives us a bit of a mental break, you know?”

When Victory says nothing, I decide to interject. “We’ve only started over the last two months when Dad hit a sharp decline and couldn’t shower on his own. Everyone deserves a break and caregivers are no exception.”

“I never said they didn’t,” Victory snaps. “I think it’s amazingHannahgets a break.”

Aidan has been pulling on my jeans during this entire encounter and saying, “Uncle Cade” over and over like a mantra. My attention returns to him with a genuine smile.

“Uncle Cade, me see Auntie Victory on Saturday. She pwomised. You come movies wif us, right?” he asks.

My gaze rises to meet the horror in Victory’s eyes, and I wink at her. “I’d love to take you and Auntie Victory to a movie, buddy.”

“That’s completely unnecessary. I don’t think–” Victory sputters.

“Are you guys staying for dinner?” Julia asks sweetly, and I chuckle.

It’s no secret that she wants me and her daughter to get back together. As much as I crave that life with every fiber of my being, it’s impossible. And I have to continue acting as though I don’t give a shit either way.

Victory needs to just keep on hating me.

“No, Mom. Cade is on his way home or wherever he spends his time these days. I’m taking Hannah and Aidan out for dinner in town tonight.”

Victory frowns, meeting the challenge in my eyes head-on. “And if you’re available this weekend, then there’s no need for me to tag along. I’ll watch Aidan next week instead.”

“I’m pretty hungry. Maybe I’ll join you guys tonight,” I tease.

“Not a chance,” she returns. “You can stay here and have dinner with my parents.”

Victory stares me down with a determined intensity I miss like hell. She could put that relentless drive to much better use than fighting me, and I wonder if I should text her some suggestions later tonight.

“Auntie Victory come wif me and Uncle Cade, right? Auntie Victory come, right?” Aidan asks.

His chin has the telltale wobble that signals an impending meltdown. He’s looking back and forth between me and Victory like he’s watching a tennis match. Even a toddler can pick up on the tension.

Victory opens her mouth and promptly closes it. For once, she seems to be at a loss for words. While it might be easy for her to turn me down without a second of hesitation, she doesn’t have the heart to give Aidan the same treatment.

“Well…” she hedges.

At one point, Victory and I would do anything to spend as much time together as possible. We could never get our fill of each other, and no one before or after her ever made me dream of forever.

I still fantasize about a life intertwined with hers.

“Metwofiretwucks,” Aidan reminds her. “Me show you, then movies. Right?”

“Of course.” She shoots me a withering glare, as though it’s my fault Aidan loves us both. “We’ll go to the movies.”

“WifUncle Cade,” he reminds her.

I blow her a kiss. “It’s a date, New York.”

“It most certainly is not a date or anything remotely resembling a date. I don’t even want to sit in the same row as you. Now, I’m going upstairs to unpack. Hannah, why don’tyou and Aidancome with me so we can catch up in private?” Victory suggests.

Hannah bites her lip to hold back a giggle that would set me off into hysterics while pushing Victory right over the edge. My sister obediently scoops Aidan up, and we share a group hug.

“I’ll see you at home later?” Hannah asks, with mirth in her eyes.

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