Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 77827 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77827 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
I know that heartbreak is a part of life, but with Macklin, that pain would ruin me.
“Fuck,” he rasps, slowing the kiss and resting his forehead against mine. “Happy New Year, baby.”
I melt into him. “Happy New Year,” I rasp, because that kiss stole all my oxygen. In the middle of the chaos of celebrating the New Year, his lips against mine, the taste of him on my tongue, it grips me as if it’s the only thing real in my life in months, if not years.
Three months ago, the plan for New Year’s Eve was some corporate dinner that Todd’s firm was holding. I hated those events. They were too stuffy, too many entitled assholes.
This… tonight, it’s like a dream come true, and Macklin, well, he makes everything better.
Twelve
Macklin
* * *
I can’t help the smile that tugs at my lips when I pull into the stables at Magnolia Estates. I don’t know if Baylor is done for the day, but she usually comes out to visit the horses in the afternoon. I’m usually here by now, but I had the vet out this morning to check up on a mare that’s about to deliver any day now. Who knows, maybe she and Ellison will deliver at the same time.
I chuckle at myself as I grab my phone and climb out of the truck. The weather is warmer today, but it’s still January in Tennessee, and Mother Nature might be luring us in with the sunshine, but we have a chance of snow later this week, and the temps are supposed to drop again.
As I approach the back entrance of the stables, I hear voices. I freeze to listen as I quietly close the door.
“Go home, Todd,” Baylor says, and my hackles rise.
I take another step, trying to be as quiet as possible. Is it wrong? Yes. Do I give a fuck? Nope, not a single one.
“Do you know how embarrassing Sunday was for me, Baylor?”
“What are you talking about?”
“The New Year’s Eve dinner. I had to go alone and make excuses for you. It was embarrassing and uncalled for. I’m here to bring you back home where you belong.”
Oh, hell no. I have to force myself to stand still. This prick thinks he’s going to force her to leave with him after weeks of silence? Not happening.
“Why would you need to make excuses for me, Todd? We’ve broken up. We’re done. I left. You made your choice for your future, and I made mine.”
“Is that what this is about? My procedure?”
“Yes!” she yells. “That’s what this is about. We had a plan. We both wanted a family, Todd, and you took that choice away from me without even discussing it.”
“That’s not worth tossing away five years of a relationship.”
“We. Are. Done,” she says, her voice low, but the intensity of her words hits their mark.
“Just come home. It’s been weeks, Baylor.”
“I am home, Todd. This is where my family is. Where my heart is. It took leaving and you destroying us for me to realize that this is where I belong.”
I’ve heard enough. I walk around the stall wall I’ve been hiding behind and don’t stop until I’m standing behind Baylor with my arms wrapped around her waist. She leans into me as if it’s the most natural thing in the world. “Hey, baby,” I say, kissing her cheek.
“Who the hell are you, and why are you kissing my girlfriend?”
“Ex,” Baylor seethes. “We are not together, and we’re never going to be again,” she says, placing her hands over mine that are resting on her belly.
“Is this him? The one who fucked up?” I ask Baylor.
Todd scoffs. “This is who you left me for?”
We both ignore him as I hold my spot, but I release one hand and offer it to him. “I’ve been dying to finally thank you in person,” I tell him.
He glares at my hand and then back at me.
“Oh, no manners either. Good to know,” I comment. “You dodged a bullet with this one, Bay,” I say, wrapping that arm back around her.
“Her name is Baylor,” Todd spits.
“Thank you.” I nod, and he seems taken aback.
“Doesn’t even know her name,” he scoffs.
“Oh, I know her name. I know everything about her,” I say, my voice dropping, and I can see the steam coming out of his ears. My words hit just as I intended them to. He thinks we’re already sleeping together, which is exactly what I want him to think.
“I’m thanking you for getting fixed.”
“Vasectomy, idiot.” Todd shakes his head in disgust.
I chuckle. “I’m the idiot? You had her, Todd.” His eyes widen as I use his name. Yeah, I know that, too, fuckstick. “You had this incredible woman. You had the chance to hold her in your arms every night, have her by your side every fucking day of forever, and you fucked up. You’re the idiot. I can promise you I’ll fix every piece of her that you broke, and when she’s ready, I’ll give her all the babies.”