TIFFIN 3

92

The expression on Chad's face was unsettling to say the least. I hadn't seen much of him since I'd flaked on him at the frat party and the incident at Jo's parents home. 

I hadn't expected him to be glad to see me, though here he was, flashing his pearly whites at me. 

Yeah. Not the time buddy. 

"It has been some time." I murmured, trying to crane my neck to see my daughter. 

When I turned back to face him, Chad had his hands in his pockets. 

"You look good. How have you been?"

I sucked in a sharp breath, unprepared for this onslaught. It didn't take a rocket scientist to figure what he was doing; he was wanting to mend things between us. 

I'd had enough experience with men to know this. 

"Fine. Just fine, Chad." 

Much to my glee, Jo appeared then, inviting us in. I hurried to Nialls side, grabbing Eleanor to have something to do. 

Please don't talk to me. 

Please just ignore me. 

Chad's eyes widened when his eyes set on the squeaking terrorist I held in my arms. 

"Josie... why didn't you tell me you were pregnant?" 

For a moment, Jo's face reddened, then returned to it's normal pallor. 

"Um... Eleanor isn't mine."

Niall laughed.

"Hence why Kristina yanked her free of my clutches." 

Chad then turned to me utterly mortified. 

"You... how... when...?" 

I snuggled my daughter close, playing with her wisps of hair. 

"Well, I did get married and usually that leads to building a family, doesn't it?"

Chad looked like he wanted to respond with a smart remark but instead said: 

"I wasn't aware Hero was back in town." 

So, he had been keeping tabs on me. I figured he'd probably seen our interviews on the television, but it still felt weird.

"Well, he is." 

What else was there to say? 

As if sensing my discomfort, Eleanor sobbed as she struggled in my arms.

Even though I hadn't been with child long, I felt as if we understood each other well. 

She was a good judge of character and she clearly thought Chad was bad news. 

Slyly, I leaned towards the shell of her small ear. 

"That's my good girl. Mommy is so proud of you." 

She squealed in earnest, clutching at my chest with her fists. 

Josephine cleared her throat. 

"Okay, Chad. You'll have your time to talk. Just let me help with Eleanor. Kristina, do you think it's best we put her down for a nap? We have a large bed that we can cocoon with pillows so she doesn't fall." 

At my frown, she giggled. 

"I promise that Niall will stay with her."

After a moment of resistance, I gave in, reluctantly handing over my daughter.

Instead of fussing, she clung to Jo recognizing her aunt at once. 

As soon as she and Niall were gone, Chad's mood changed. He became rash. Impulsive even. 

"I don't care that you slept with my cousin." 

What? 

My head whipped up at this declaration. 

"That's... um... mature of you." 

This caused him to smile. Ugh. I should have just sneered at him. 

"Thanks. Anyway, I've thought about the way we ended things over the past year or so and realized how good we had it." 

I raised a brow. 

"Chad... we barely had anything. We had one date that didn't really count. There's no hard feelings. I made a mistake at the time, but it was worth it if you think about it. I ended up with... you know... and you're free to find some other girl." 

He surged forward, taking ahold of my hands. 

"Come on. Do you really feel like you want to spend the rest of your life with that... schmuck? We both know he pressured you into losing your virginity. I saw the tape." 

I sighed. 

"I didn't do anything I didn't want to." 

"There you go making excuses for him."

Chad scoffed, unwilling to let go of me.

"I know what I said, but I don't need someone mature. I need you. You're on my mind every day at work... I can't think..." 

What I really wanted to say to this jerk was that I was aware that he was likely doing this to get back at Hero but his next response made me freeze. 
 
"If I can't be your one and only... just let me have one last kiss..." 

I didn't have much time to react before his lips fused with mine. It wasn't anything special, to be honest. His lips were rough and wet and...

"GET THE FUCK OFF HER!" 

I stumbled back on my heels to find my husband in a jealous rage.  He seemed to have entered the house without us noticing and was now seething. 

His fist connected with Chad's jaw, an audible crack heard over the uncomfortable silence. He then began pummeling every inch of skin he could find on his cousin. 

He was an unstoppable force. 

"YOU DARE TOUCH MY WIFE?" 

Luckily, within the next few seconds, Niall raced to the kitchen, holding both of Hero's hands behind his back. 

As he pulled him back I saw the blood etched on his shirt. 

Chad didn't look too good either. He was bruised blue and purple. 

Dear god. Hero's urges were back. 

And in full force.