My Sweets

Spin-Off Sneak Peek

*** The Spin-Off book, Tears of our Ruins, is completed! It focuses on Cora McKenzie and will be from her POV. Here's a little extra story leading up to that book, from Bobby's perspective. This is a little sneak peek into Cora's life.

BOBBY

I walk down the hall and hear soft chatting coming from Cora's room. I pause outside her door to eavesdrop. Jessa walks out of our room carrying a laundry basket. She notices me and shakes her head as she walks by. When I hear the deep baritone of a boy, I throw the door open. It hits the wall with force and a loud bang.

Cora and Trevor both jump in surprise. I'm relieved to see Cora sitting at her desk while Trevor is on the edge of her bed. I'm still pissed though. She knows the rules. "Door stays open. You know the rules."

"Yes, dad. He's one of the girls anyway."

"Right." I glance in his direction. "Door stays open or I'll remove it." I slip out of the room and then quickly peek around the corner again, staring each of them down. Satisfied, I walk away with their voices following me.

Trevor is cracking up. "God I love your dad. I want to be just like him when I have kids."

"Yeah," Cora giggles. "He's a pain but I know I'm lucky."

I smile at the words but then frown because of that boy. My life has been one giant headache ever since Trevor came into our lives earlier this year. It's not like he's a bad kid. He's always respectful and he seems like he's a good kid. When I started feeling comfort in that thought, Jessa mentioned that she thinks Cora has a crush on Trevor. So now I hate the kid. I don't trust them. When will her crush, assuming it's true, become something more? Will I even realize it has happened?

I find Jessa in the laundry room.

"I hate that kid," I say.

"Bobby," Jessa says with warning. "He's a good kid. You just hate him because he's around Cora."

"She can date when she's 30."

She gives me an amused look. "I was married with 4 kids by the time I was 30."

"Yeah. Well, your dad didn't do a very good job then."

She giggles. "I'll let him know you think that."

I pale. "Shit. Don't tell him that!"

"I'm joking, baby. I won't. Seriously though, they're just friends. Give her this. I've noticed she had withdrawn into herself until he came around. Let her be a teenager. Let her be happy."

"Fuck. I am. He's sitting in her room, isn't he?" She gives me a look. I wrap my arms around her waist and nuzzle her neck. "Wanna have a quickie?" She giggles at me but otherwise ignores my question and continues sorting laundry. "Not sure why you thought I was joking."

She turns around in my arms and pulls my lips against hers. I still melt. I knew. The first time I kissed her, I knew I would forever be addicted to her, and it is still true. Our passion and chemistry is stronger than it has ever been before. I love this gorgeous woman who I built a life with. As hard as it is to watch the kids grow up, it is fun to have more time to focus on our relationship again. She boops my nose and goes back to sorting laundry.

I help her, making sure she notices that I'm pouting.

"Bobby!" She laughs. "Don't worry, baby. We have an empty house tonight. I'll make it up to you," she winks at me.

"Almost will have a permanent empty house," I sigh. The twins are in the States with Colton and Maleah. Aria wants to be an actress and Faye wants to be a model. Cora's a senior this year and Oliver will be next year. I sigh again. My heart feels heavy.

"Our kids have grown up," Jessa sadly agrees.

"I just don't know how or when that happened. They seemed like little tykes just yesterday."

Jessa nods and rests her head against my shoulder. "That phrase that the days are long but the years are short is so true. It all went by too fast. We've given our children a great childhood though. I'm proud of the young adults they are growing into."

"Yeah. They are pretty cool and great kids." I give her a small kiss. Even with everything, my life is perfect.