Page 24 of Where You Belong

“Where have you been my whole life?” she jokes. “Why hasn’t some woman come along and snatched you up already?”

“I’ve been here, waiting for you.”

Chapter Nine

Haelynn

Corbin and I exchanged a few messages over the past few days, but after the confrontation with Atlas, I had a lot on my mind. I put all my energy and focus into taking care of Huxton and my job.

I remember how fast I fell for Atlas. Corbin came out of nowhere and has tipped my whole world off its axis. Although he’s nothing like Atlas, I still can’t stop thinking about how quickly it all happened, and all the questions have started to swirl around in my head.

At times, I’ll be sitting at my desk and glance over at the bed staged in the studio not far from me, and just like that, he’s consuming my every thought.

I left work early yesterday to talk with my lawyer about the divorce proceedings. I hate how ugly this will turn once Atlas finds out I’m moving forward with fighting for sole primary custody of Huxton.

Atlas was well known in the Everton area. After his grandpa passed away, his will stipulated that a large chunk of money was to be put into a trust for Atlas. He’s always been a smart businessman, so when he turned twenty-five and gained access to the funds, he put every cent into building his own brewing company.

The media praised him for being one of Iowa's youngest and fastest-growing entrepreneurs. Although my lawyer agreed that I should be awarded custody, she cautioned me that we’d have a hard time convincing the judge to sign off.

On paper, Atlas was the picture-perfect husband and father, and he had the coin to put up the fight.

The last thing I want is to bring Corbin into this mess, especially when it’s only just begun.

Madelyn and Corbin invited me to Friends Night and encouraged me to bring Huxton. The urge to pass on the offer was there, out of fear of where this would go with Corbin, worrying it wasn’t the right time to introduce him to Huxton. I’ve pushed so many people out of my life over the past few years because of Atlas.

I’m not going to let him control my life anymore.

“Will there be other kids to play with too?” Huxton sighs, shoving his feet into his sneakers, then bending down on his knee to lace them up.

“Well, Ms. Layla will be there. She’s friends with Madelyn, and she said she was bringing her daughter with her too. I believe her cousin will also be there.”

Huxton’s eyes light up, and he purses his lips together, attempting to smother his grin.

Oh boy, why do I think one day this kid will give me a run for my money when it comes to girls?

“That’s cool, that’s cool.”

He pretends to play it off, jumping to his feet. Checking his appearance in the mirror, he turns his head from side to side, using his hand to smooth an unruly curl into place.

I shake my head, leaning against the wall opposite him with my arms folded in front of me. What have I gotten myself into?

“You almost ready there, Rico Suave?”

He scrunches his nose. “Rico who?”

I chuckle and push myself off the wall. I wave him over, urging him out the door.

“Don’t worry about it now. It’ll make more sense when you’re older.”

We lock up the house behind us, crossing the front yard and the street over to Madelyn and Alex’s house. I immediately spot Corbin’s pickup truck and a few others parked near the end of their large driveway.

The voices and laughter grow louder the farther we get up the driveway toward the backyard. A deck with a large patio sits off to the side with a smaller picnic table lined with drinks. Towels and sandals are discarded, like they were too excited to bother caring where they ended up. I spot a group of kids near the back with a massive bouncy house Corbin promised.

“Good thing I wore my swimmin’ trunks, huh?” Huxton’s eyes light up, pointing at the sprinkler.

“I’ll run home and grab a towel for you to dry off with when you get done. Go play. Have fun, and remember—” I say before he interrupts.

“I know, Mom. I know! Be a good friend.” He flashes a grin before taking off.

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