Page 94 of Owned By The Cowboy

Of course, he ignores that last part. “Baby, what we had… something like that doesn’t just disappear.”

“Richard, you blew us away the first time you fucked someone else.”

“Baby, I know I hurt you. I screwed up. But we can fix this.”

“For chrissake, there’s nothing to fix. We’re divorced. I’ve moved on.” I raise my hands in exasperation.

“Really? Because it looks like you’re playing house with some local handyman to get my attention.”

The fucking nerve of this piece of shit. “Don’t you fucking dare.” I point a shaky finger at his face.

“Don’t what? Point out that you’re rebounding with the first guy who paid attention to you?”

I take a deep breath. “Listen, Rich, none of this is any of your business. You came to see your kids. Let’s talk about that.”

But asshole’s always been a one-track-mind type of guy. “How impressive. A small-town construction company.”

By this point my blood’s boiling and I hear myself shriek, “At least he shows up! He cares aboutyourkids!”

“I care about my kids. They’re my children.”

“Oh yeah? When was the last time you called them?”

He turns to look toward the windows, averting my gaze. “I’ve been busy…”

“When’s the last time you asked about school, their friends, how they’re adjusting? Fucking anything!”

“That’s why I’m here now, Reggie!” His tone is matching mine now. Bringing back memories of our months of fighting.

“No, asshole. You’re here because you found out I’m living with someone. And you can’t stand the thought of me being happy with someone else.”

“You’re wrong.” He almost sounds defeated. Almost, but even if he’s sincere, I couldn’t care less. “I’m here because I realized I made the biggest mistake of my life.”

He takes a step in my direction, and I move back. “The biggest mistake of your life was abandoning your family. Now you have to live with the consequences.”

“Regina…”

I interrupt him. “No, Rich. You don’t get to do this. You don’t get to decide a year later that you want your family back after you walked out on us.”

He gives me a look that’s filled with sadness, and I really wish I cared. “Baby, I’m their father.”

“Then act like it. Show up, be in their lives. Call your kids. Make actual plans with me to come visit them. Take them for a while.” I take a step forward, getting in his face. “Rebuild your relationship with your children, but don’t bring drama into our home.”

“That’s why I’m here, Regina.”

Oh my God, how did is this man? “Richard, you’re here because your ego can’t handle the fact that I’m happy without you.”

And of course he jumps on that. “Are you? Happy?”

His question is like a bucket of ice-cold water on my boiling anger. I feel a wave of calm instantly settle over me. “Yes.” I smile, and it’s not mean or provoking, just quiet, peaceful, content. “I’m happier than I’ve been in years.”

His Adam’s apple bobs. “With him?”

My tone is softer now, because Richard may have royally fucked up (and honestly, he still is) but he was my person for a long time, and I know this has to hurt. “With my life, Rich. Our kids. My parents. Work.” His eyes are glassy now. “With Blayne… everything we’re building here.”

Anger flares in his gaze. “What are you building? You’re living in someone else’s house, trying to squeeze yourself into someone else’s life.”

“Richard, this is my life. Our life. Mine, Blayne’s and the kids’.”