Intercepted (New Hope #1)

CHAPTER NINE

Mallory

"Are you sure you don't want to stay at my place?" Daniel asks.

There's no insinuation in his tone, but I know where adult sleepovers lead. If I go home with Daniel, I'll fuck him, and it's not good to fuck when your head isn't in the right place. Case in point, I shouldn't have choked myself with Mason's cock at my husband's funeral. I don't think I'll ever live that down.

"I have to tuck my son in," I say, disappointed at how our date has ended. "Again, I'm sorry for tonight."

"It was certainly interesting." Daniel leans across the center console, tucking a strand of hair behind my ear. "Things still the same with Grace's father?"

He's asking if my relationship with Mason has changed. It's a difficult question, seeing as our relationship depends on the time of day, and what kind of mood Mason is in. Usually, we cohabitate fine, but there's an underlying pressure in the air. There are so many unanswered questions, so many wrinkles that need to be ironed out. I don't think either of us are ready to conquer them yet.

"We aren't together," I tell him, my tongue sticking to the roof of my mouth. It's not a lie, so why does it feel like one? "He's just going through some shit right now. He doesn't know what to do without football, and he's aiming his excess energy on me and the kids."

Daniel studies me, his crystal eyes flitting across my face. "And you wish he'd focus solely on the children?"

"Yes," I answer honestly.

Having Mason's attention may be alluring to most people, but I find it terrifying. Thrilling, yes. But terrifying. If I were to pursue him and things ended badly, we'd risk hurting the kids. Grace still gives him the cold shoulder, but Aidan has come around. This is their chance to get to know their father. I don't want to mess it up for them. Mason is changing. Everyone in our house can see it. He's becoming more self-aware, and I don't want to hinder his progress.

It can't happen. We can't happen.

"I'll see you next weekend?" Daniel asks, giving me a hopeful smile.

I nod, place a kiss on his mouth, then exit the vehicle.

The house is quiet when I hang my purse on the rack. I slip off my heels, jogging up the stairs to Blake's room. I find him tucked in bed, but the lights are on and he's staring at the ceiling. He jumps when I knock on the doorframe.

"Oh, thank goodness!" he exclaims, throwing his Guardians of the Galaxy blanket aside. "I thought you were an evil spirit."

I sit on the edge of his mattress, pushing the dark hair back from his forehead. "How much candy have you eaten, sweetheart?"

"I can't sleep, Momma," Blake explains, his eyes drifting to the door of his wardrobe. "I'm scared I'll get sucked into the closet."

"Huh?" I glance behind me, seeing that someone has placed a chair under the doorknob to Blake's closet, preventing it from opening on the inside.

Blake has never been scared of ghosts. He has the occasional nightmare, but he just crawls into bed with me and he's fine the next day. Right now, he's pale, his hands are shaking, and his eyes are as wide as saucers.

Suspicion rises in my belly. "Did you watch a movie with Mason?"

Blake nods. "It was my idea, so don't be mad at him."

I adopt a light tone, pretending not to care. "Which movie?"

"Poltergeist."

I clear my throat, fisting my hand in the sheets. "I'll be right back, okay? Momma's going to discuss something with Mason."