J A M E S
"Grammy! Grammy!" Sofia screeches as she runs out the door and into the backyard. "Grammy, daddy said a bad word!"
My mother drops her mouth open and hangs her hands on her hips. "Oh, that boy is gonna get a spanking!"
"He deserves it," Sofia sasses, crossing her arms. "Even I know shit is a bad word," she says with an eye roll and then quickly slaps both of her hands over her mouth. "Sowwy gwammy," she mumbles through her little hands.
We all chuckle and I bend down to scoop her up. Her cheeks are pink from her sprint out here. She wraps her arms around my neck and rests her head on my shoulder. She's too fucking cute.
And it's moments like this one that make me wish I had a kid of my own. Maybe someday.
"Hey, Sof?"
"Yes, Uncle James?"
"When did your dad say the bad word?" I ask.
She pouts, pinching her eyebrows together. "Just a minute ago. Why?"
"He's here?"
Sofia nods. "He's with Miss Sara in my playroom."
I feel my chest tighten. RJ is the last person I want Sara to meet unattended. He has a habit of blabbing embarrassing shit about me. I embarrassed myself enough when I gave her a fucking coupon for pie. I don't need him spilling the things that were ten times worse from my childhood.
Add in the fact that he hasn't had sex in a week because Callie's ovulation app is telling her there's a low chance of getting pregnant and the man is probably drooling all over Sara.
"I'll be right back," I say, placing a kiss on her forehead before dropping her back on her feet.
Walking down the hall, my heart picks up its pace when I don't hear anything but hushed whispers coming from the playroom.
I know I have nothing to worry about. RJ would never do that to Callie. He may say some questionable shit to me from time to time, but he loves his wife. He'd never jeopardize their relationship like that.
And Sara's not the same girl she was a few months ago. I don't have any doubts when it comes to our relationship. Even with Alec in the picture. I trust her. She wouldn't be here if I didn't.
But knowing that doesn't help settle the unease in my stomach.
Taking a breath I step into the playroom.
At first glance it seems innocent. They're both sitting on the oversized bean bag chair in the corner of the room talking quietly, their bodies turned slightly toward each other.
But then I notice their body language. Relaxed. Comfortable. Close. Three things that don't make sense for two people who just met each other.
My jealousy spikes when I see his hand on her knee.
"You two look cozy." Their eyes snap to me and RJ quickly pulls his hand away. "Am I interrupting something?" I ask standing in the doorway.
"You kinda are," RJ huffs.
Sara taps him in the stomach with the back of her hand and they share a look. "You're not."
RJ stands up and Sara sinks down, her small frame being swallowed up by the chair. He holds his hand out for her and she takes it, climbing out. "Thank you," she whispers, her cheeks tinting pink.
She rights her dress and flashes me a smile before sauntering over. Her arms wrap around my middle and she rests her chin on my chest as she looks up at me. "Hi, handsome."
YOU ARE READING
Lies That Bind (on hold temporarily)
RomanceHigh school reunions can be an amazing experience where you have a chance to reconnect with people you haven't seen in ages, or they can be utterly dreadful. For Sara Cooper, it's the latter. Her high school days were filled with lust, love, lies, b...