6 - The Dream

~Livie~ 

Six weeks later….

I rush over to Anna’s apartment. I am running late. So what else is new? I pull into her assigned parking spot, thankful for that at least. After grabbing my purse, I rush inside. Just as I fear, my Nugget is throwing a fit. His exasperated nanny sits him in his bouncer.

“You’re late! Again!” She accuses.

I sigh and hold back an eye-roll. I am three minutes late. “Thanks, Hannah.” I shove some money in her hand and usher her out the door. “Rude, bitch.” I mutter after I slam the door. I lean my head against it while I catch my breath. 

At the sound of a chuckle, I finally notice Jaxon leaning against the far wall, one eyebrow hitched up. Jaxon is the lead singer of the metal group End of Days. He is high up on the panty melter scale for sure. His fit, muscular build is only the cherry on top of his rugged good looks. He rocked the wild, untamed beauty. The black hair and blue eyes so rich you could drown in them helped as well.

I nibble on my lower lip in awkward silence. He is not Anna’s ex since they had a one-night stand entanglement. Yet, it feels wrong to ogle him. Anna sure knows how to pick them. First my husband and then Jaxon. I frown.

“What is wrong, beautiful?” Jaxon asks.

He startles me out of my pity party. “I hate that girl. But whatever. It’s Anna’s deal.” I shrug.

“You should have a say. You have to manage her.” He offers, which is kind but still unhelpful.

When little hands reach for me, I bend down and scoop up my little man. “Hey, Finn!” I kiss his face until he bursts into giggles. “Did you miss me?”

He grabs handfuls of my hair and stares at me with those impossibly gorgeous eyes of his. My heart melts. Finn definitely has me wrapped around his chubby little fingers.

I ruffle his hair and hand him to his daddy. “I’m sorry about being late. Anna was having a rough day. Her new treatment isn’t going well.” I run a hand through my hair. “She was hoping to be home for Finn’s birthday.”

“Damn. Sorry to hear that. I will stop by to visit her when I bring Finnegan home.”

I nod. “She will appreciate that. Give me a moment and I will have his stuff packed.” I run into his room, which is a freaking nightmare situation. “How can one little human have so much stuff?” I cry out. 

“When a little human has relatives with bad shopping habits, this is what happens.” Came Jaxon’s reply.

I spin around and almost collide with his hulking frame. I snort. “You’re nearly as bad as me!” I am hyper-aware of his presence as I pack Finn’s weekend bag. He smells how you would expect a metal god to smell, enticing, spicy. I do not know Jaxon that well. But he seems intent on being a part of his son’s life. Can’t fault a man for trying.

“I can carry his stuff to your car.” I say, hearing the big SUV pull up outside. 

“Nah. I got it. You do enough. Focus on getting some rest.”

I huff. “Rest? I get plenty rest.”

“Hmm.” Is all he says, his eyes roaming over me from head to toe.

I shrug, wondering if it was the bags under my eyes or the general disarray of my attire that gave me away this time. Whatever. Parenting is hard work. Like for reals. 

“Got any plans?” He asks in a tone that almost sounds like he cares.

“Sleep.” I say immediately. “I am going to sleep for two solid says.” I smile as my Nugget begins to squirm in his arms. “You, my friend, will be doing anything but sleeping.”  

“Believe it or not, my son is a chick magnet. Our schedule is nailed down. We will be going to the zoo and the grocery store. Nothing is hotter than a single dad.” He winks at me.

I nearly choke on thin air. “Jaxon! You better not be using my Nugget to lure in women!”

He only laughs. But in the next moment, shit goes downhill. As if sensing his impending departure,  Finn starts to fuss. He bucks and tries to reach for me. “Um. That is your clue to go before we have a full meltdown here.” I open the front door and blow kisses as Jaxon walks past me. 

“Bye, Nugget! Be good for your daddy liked we talked about!”

Jaxon stares at me like I’m crazy. I giggle and slam the door shut. Yes, I am the first to admit. The first time Jaxon took Nugget away from me, I cried my eyes out and did not think I could withstand the separation. Luckily, it got easier with practice. 

And Jaxon seems legit, trying to make up for lost time and all that. I blew out a breath. I cannot forget it took a paternity test for him to come around. But as he claims, people try to scam him for money all the time. You could say he and I started off on the wrong foot. As in I threatened to to stick mine up his ass. Communications broke down for a while after that.

I am tired, like bone-weary tired. Between the ugly custody battle and dealing with Anna’s illness, I dedicate the better part of my time parenting Nugget and making sure Anna stays relevant in his life. Anna and Nugget are the only family I have left. It is just us against the wide world. And sometimes Jaxon helps. I snicker, remembering the last time he was in town and offered to make dinner. After he burned the chicken, we ordered out. 

I pick up the mess of toys and clothes in attempt to restore order to the two bedroom apartment. Then, I reward myself with a bubble bath and a glass of wine. Or a bottle. Who is counting? Afterwards, I put on a movie and grab a bottle of bright pink polish to paint my toenails. Oh, yeah. I am living the dream.