It's Time

Another Lifetime

"TWO SECONDS, SPENCER!" I whisper yell. "Two seconds is all it took for her to smile at you and me to know that look." I tilt my head up, attempting to stop the tears forming in my eyes.

"How was I supposed to know she'd be here, let alone that she was Gabriel's high-power attorney wife?" He responds; his frustration is evident.

"I don't know, Spencer. How could I not know about her?" I nervously play with my hands, avoiding all eye contact with my husband.

"Oh, I'm sorry, Olivia. I didn't realize we were disclosing every person we slept with while we were apart. Do I know every dude you were with during that time?" His voice is snide as he cruelly dismisses my concerns. This has been his demeanor for the past two months since the Bears lost the Super Bowl. It was silly of me to think things would be different today just because it was our son's birthday.

"Yes. Yes, you do because it was impossible for me to be with anyone else after you left. Then, when I finally was with someone, it was the guy I planned to marry. So yes, Spencer. While you were out hooking up with whoever walked by, I was pathetically holding onto you." I steady my gaze on him, daring him to say something that will piss me off even further.

"Liv. I didn't know she was Alana's mom. We only ever see Gabriel. Had I known Bri was her mom, I obviously would have said something." His exterior softens.

"Bri, that's cute." I bitterly respond.

"That's how I know her, Liv. I'm sorry." He attempts to walk closer to me, but I hold my hand up, stopping him in his tracks.

I pace our bedroom thinking about how my son's birthday party turned to shit over the past fifteen minutes.

Brianna Lawson is, in fact, a well-known attorney. She doesn't share Gabriel and Alana's last name because she values her independence or whatever the hell she said. When she walked into my home, everyone turned to look at her. I mean, she's absolutely gorgeous. But, more importantly, who the hell shows up to a kids birthday party in $10,000 heels, event worthy makeup, and a dress that could be featured on the red carpet. All of the attention— including my husband's, was immediately on her. And, something tells me she likes it that way.

"Honey!" Gabriel greets her, though it looks more like an obligation than a desire to see his wife.

I watch their limited interactions. Nothing about those two screams happy couple. For a moment, I feel bad for Gabriel. He's such a sweet guy and an even sweeter dad.

"Hi, I'm—"

"Bri?" Spencer appears almost out of nowhere.

"Spencer! Omg!" She squeals with entirely too much excitement in her voice as her hand slowly grazes my husband's arm.

"Bri! What are you doing here?" His excitement matches hers as he grins from ear to ear.

"The curly redhead," she points toward Alana. "She belongs to me." They both chuckle, and absolutely nothing about that statement was funny.

"The now five-year-old with the curly brown hair," he points at Jace. "He belongs to me." Sickening grins appear on both of their faces, and I swear I could throw up at any second.

I take a glance at our happy boy. His deep brown eyes remind me so much of Spencer's. Brown curls sit perfectly on the top of his head, and his caramel skin is to die for. He smiles with his entire face, much like I do. Even though he didn't actually come from Spencer and me, the average person would never know that.

Clearing my throat, I insert myself into the very limited space between my husband and Gabriel's wife.

"Olivia James." I reach my hand out to her. "The little one with the curly brown hair also belongs to me." I offer her a smile that I hope delivers every ounce of sarcasm I felt as I said those words.