Page 50 of Rip Ryder's Second Chance

“Come on, doll. Don’t I deserve five minutes of your time?” Gavin pleaded but it seemed fake to Rip. He probably used those puppy dog eyes on women who were fans.

After a drawn-out sigh, Noelle turned to Rip. “Will you give us five minutes?”

Since she asked, Rip would comply. “Sure. I’ll head down to the barn make sure things are locked up tight for the night. I’ll be back in fifteen.” Rip slipped between the man and the doorframe, looking down at the grumpy man with what Rip hoped were piercing eyes.

***

“What the hell? Is that who replaced me?” Gavin said once he closed the door.

Noelle pressed her finger tips into her temples. Why did she always get a headache when her ex was around? Turning to face him, she bit out, “Make it quick. Five minutes goes fast.”

“I drove all the way here to see you. To see my son. Where is he?” Gavin walked to the bottom of the stairs. “Ollie?”

“He’s two. Do you think he’s going to come running down and jump in your arms? He barely knows you.” Noelle didn’t want to get caught up in that same cycle of repeating herself to a man who never listened.

“Whose fault is that?” Gavin came to stand in front of her.

“Yours” she said flatly.

“Where’s my kid?”

“Ollieis with my mother.”

His brows snapped together. “You left my son?”

“No, I didn’t leaveourson. He’s staying with her a few days. He likes spending time with her and she loves having him.” She didn’t feel like she should explain anything, but she wanted this to go as smooth as possible.

“He likes spending time with me too and that never mattered,” he whined.

“Let’s not rehash this. If you felt this strongly you should have been at the court hearing and told the judge. It’s too late for explaining.” She couldn’t let him make her feel guilty for doing what was best for Ollie.

“I was playing out of the country.”

“You’re always playing somewhere. It’s time to stop making excuses. Being a father is a full-time position. Ollie deserves that much at least.”

He ripped his hand through his thick, black hair. He looked like a younger Elvis but the fast life was showing in his scruffy appearance. “Haven’t I always provided?”

“You haven’t paid child support in months.” She tapped the toe of her shoe.

“But anything Ollie needs all you have to do is ask, baby cakes.” He took a step and reached out to touch her but she dodged him.

“No, Gavin. Even though you make more income than I do, I dropped the child support order and I have full custody. It’s time you admit that even you know this is what Ollie needs.”

“I’m not a monster, baby. We had some good times. Didn’t we?” He tried using his big brown eyes, the same ones he’d used as sexual weapons the night they met. She wouldn’t fall for that again.

“You’re not a monster, but you’re not a responsible father either.”

“And you think cowboy boots will be?” His voice rose a notch.

“This has nothing to do with Rip, or anyone but you and me and what’s best for Ollie. You’re a good man, Gavin, but you’re not prepared to be a father, at least not at this point in your life. Isn’t it time that you admit it?”

Chapter 16

“You okay?” Rip asked when he returned to the farmhouse and found Noelle sitting at the table, nursing a cup of coffee.

“Honestly, I’m better than okay.”

“Did you manage to talk some sense into him?” Rip said.

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