Page 13 of Protective Cowboy

“That’s really touching,” she said sarcastically. She crossed her arms over her chest. “I thought you had your hands full with your other family in New Jersey.” She couldn’t prevent the bitterness that seeped into her voice.

Phillip noticed, of course. “Well, since you brought it up, I thought it’s time for Jayden to meet his baby sister. I want him to fly back to Princeton with me.”

“Over my dead body,” Autumn spat. “You don’t get to waltz back into our lives after everything you’ve done and expect me to play nice.”

Her voice rose, attracting curious glances from passersby. But she didn’t care. A mixture of fury and panic choked her.

Phillip wants to take my son away! She had to stop him. No matter the cost. Her voice rose. “He’s not going anywhere with you. I have full custody, remember?”

“Autumn, stop making a scene!” Phillip hissed. “I just want to be a part of my son’s life. Is that so wrong?”

“Being a part of his life means being honest and trustworthy,” Autumn shot back, her voice shaking with suppressed emotion. “Two things you’re not.”

She wondered why he was suddenly so interested in Jayden. Had something happened between him and Theresa?

If so, Theresa ditched him faster than I did. She’s probably smarter.

“Ever stop to consider that if you hadn’t been so demanding, I wouldn’t have needed to look elsewhere for comfort?” Phillip retorted. “All you ever did was criticize and complain. When you weren’t ignoring me because you were dicking around on your stupid Instagram and TikTok and God knows what else.”

“Really? Really?” Autumn asked, incredulous. “You cheated on me, lied to me and to Theresa, and then abandoned Jayden without a second thought. And now you’re trying to play the victim here?”

“Autumn, please,” Phillip pleaded. “Look, I know I messed up. Now, I just want to make things right between us.” His expression and voice both softened. “When I was with Theresa, all I could think about was you, baby girl. I still love you. Give me a chance to prove it.”

Yeah, Theresa definitely dumped him, Autumn thought.

A series of terrible thoughts followed her instant of satisfaction. What if that means Phillip isn’t going back to New Jersey? What if he stays here? What if he wants to take Jayden away from me?

Oh, no.

He’d always hated Snowberry Springs when they’d visited for the holidays, calling it a “hick town in the middle of fucking nowhere.”

“Too late for that,” she replied coldly, meeting his pleading gaze with steely determination. “You made your choice when you cheated on me and got Theresa pregnant. Now you have to live with it.”

“But what if I’ve changed?” Phillip challenged her. He spread his hands and stepped closer, his broad-shouldered frame looming over her, just like he always did when he wanted something. “What if I told you I missed Jayden? And missed you, too?”

Autumn stared up into Phillip’s eyes. He exuded sincerity and hurt vulnerability.

Her heart pounded crazily as she struggled to maintain her composure.

Maybe this time, he really means it, came the sneaking thought.

She quelled it firmly. How often had he behaved cruelly to her, then turned around and showered her with love and apologies until she forgave him? Only to revert to his old ways as soon as she let down her guard?

“I’d tell you I didn’t believe you,” she said through gritted teeth. “And if you’re telling the truth, why didn’t you let us know you were coming? Why sneak Jayden away and scare everyone half to death?”

“Because I know you, babycakes,” Phillip retorted. “If I’d asked, would you have said yes?”

“So you figured it was easier to ask forgiveness than permission?”

Phillip’s contrite expression vanished. His voice hard now, he said, “Well, I shouldn’t need a fucking written invitation to see my son. Besides, from what I can see, you’ve been way too busy playing social media star today to pay much attention to Jayden.”

That’s not fair! Autumn thought, her cheeks burning with indignation at his words.

The Old Autumn would have cowered and apologized for her shortcomings.

The New Autumn straightened and glared up at him. “My social media management gigs feed and clothe Jayden and me, since you’re always late with your alimony and child support payments,” she pointed out. “I’m the one who makes sure he’s safe and cared for.”

“Like just now?” Phillip sneered, leaning forward, further invading her personal space. “Anything could have happened to him while you were busy trying to look good on Instagram. He’s lucky I was there.”

---