Spin My Love (My Love #1)(5)

I watch as Parker slowly moves his counter, thinking no one’s watching. “Parker! That’s cheating,” I say, trying not to laugh. My baby is sneaky. I put on my serious face.

“You said you have to make your own luck, Mama,” Parker replies. My eyes widen. Damn kid is already using my own words against me.

“Yes, but when you’re playing a game you can’t cheat. It’s not honourable,” I say sagely. Parker thinks it over, then nods.

“Knights don’t cheat,” he says, biting his bottom lip. He wants to be a knight when he grows up. I don’t have the heart to tell him he’s a few centuries too late.

“No, they wouldn’t,” I agree. “So neither should you.” He gives me a nod.

“How about we all watch a movie?” I ask the boys. They both nod eagerly, so we put on Madagascar, which I know for a fact is Levi’s favourite, although he won’t admit it. The way his eyes light up when the introduction song comes on confirms it. We all squish together on Gage’s soft black couch and watch the movie. I look around, my gaze touching each of the four boys individually. This is my family. Justin and Parker both snuggle into me, and I exhale in contentment.

*****

I pull into Keira’s driveway the next evening and park the car. I open Justin’s door and let him out. Parker’s staying another night with Gage and Levi—they insisted I needed a night to myself. They wanted to keep Justin for another night too, but we were unable to contact Keira.

Keira’s house is enormous. It makes mine look like a shed. After her divorce, she got the house and a huge settlement. I’m not sure about the finer details, but I know her and her ex-husband now can’t stand the sight of each other. He doesn’t come and see Justin at all, just sends money to fulfil his fatherly duties. Like that is supposed to make up for his absence.

The two-storey house is cream coloured, the roof a rustic brown. The porch itself is the size of my living room, with a dainty table and matching chairs that look completely ornamental. The garden is carefully maintained, and the hedges are the straightest I’ve ever seen. She hires people to do everything for her, of course; nothing is done herself.

I unbuckle Justin and pull him from his booster seat, lifting him into my arms. “Oh, we almost forgot your new toys, Justin,” I say as I reach into the car and pull out his bags. Levi spoils his nephew as much as he spoils Parker.

I walk up the familiar path to the double doors, both made of fine wood. I press the bell twice, but after a minute or so there is still no answer. I know Keira is home, because her car is in the driveway along with an unfamiliar black, expensive-looking car. I turn the fancy brass doorknob, to find it unlocked. I glance at my watch; it’s ten minutes past seven. I always drop Justin home around seven, so she should be expecting us. I assume she left the door unlocked for me, so I walk in, and head into the living area.

I put Justin down, kissing him on the forehead. “Bye Aunt Giselle,” he calls out as he takes the bag from me and heads to his room, no doubt to play with his new toys. I smirk, shaking my head at him. “Keira!” I call out, walking through the lounge room. I hear a noise in the kitchen so I head straight there.

“Oh my God,” I yell upon entering the room, bringing my hand up to shield my eyes.

Most people cook in their kitchen. Oh, how I wish she were cooking, because then I wouldn’t see her butt-naked, kissing some guy on her kitchen table.

“Keira, your son is home! For f*ck’s sake,” I yell at her, turning around so I don’t have to see anymore. I hear her mutter a curse, then shuffling. Hopefully they are getting dressed. The woman is unbelievable! She knew Justin was going to be dropped off today.

“You have a kid?” asks a deep, rumbly voice.

I tense.

That voice.

Surely not …

I turn around slowly, no longer caring about their nakedness, and look straight into the cold eyes of Tane Miller himself. The man really does get around. My throat burns, and my chest hurts, but I try to school my expression.

Don’t let him see how much he hurt you.

He’s leaning against the table lazily, without a care in the world, wearing nothing but a pair of boxer shorts. His chest is heaving slightly and I try to push the thought of what the two of them were up to before I arrived aside.

It makes me feel sick.

Tane looks more muscular and filled out than when I last saw him. I stop myself right there, not wanting him to see me staring at him, not wanting to notice how good he looks. Keira is quickly dressing herself, with a sour expression on her face. She walks over to me and says in a hushed tone, “Can you keep him tonight, please? It’s Tane Miller!”

I narrow my eyes at her. I want to say no. I don’t want her to f*ck Tane. But he isn’t mine, and I don’t get a say in who and what he does.

Clearly he isn’t the same person he used to be, and I need to stop forgetting that.

“Yes. But for the record, you’re a selfish bitch,” I reply loudly. “Have some class, Keira.” Okay, so maybe I’m not one to criticise, considering I slept with Tane literally without one word being spoken, but at least I didn’t have a child to think about at the time.

I glance at Tane one last time to see his eyes on me, crinkling in thought. He has nothing to say to me? Nothing at all? Fine. Fuck him. I walk out of the kitchen and into Justin’s room. I pack his bag, and take him back home with me, pushing away the pain I feel.