"Sadie." I can hear the exasperation in his voice. "I don't want this to come between us."
I don't look at him. I can't. I'm angry with his refusal to address this in any substantial way. "She's always going to be his mom." The words are true. He has to admit them at some point.
"You're going to be his mom," he whispers as his hand glides over the top of my head and back down my neck.
I shake my head. "No, I'm Princess Sadie. Christina is his mom." With that I push past him and walk into the other room.
***
"Daddy says we're going to go on a trip." Cory runs back into his room after brushing his teeth.
"We are?" I feel excitement course through me. Hunter and I have never gone on a trip together and bringing Cory along would give us all a break from the day-to-day stresses of work and school.
"Not you." He taps me lightly on the nose. "Just me and my daddy."
My heart sinks at the pronouncement. "Where are you two going?" I peer quickly over my shoulder to make certain that Hunter isn't eavesdropping on me interrogating his four-year-old.
"Someplace fun." He shrugs his shoulders as he walks over to the small, white bookcase in the corner of his room. "Will you read me a story, Sadie?"
"Daddy will," Hunter's booming voice carries through the silence in the room.
I hesitate before turning knowing that he likely heard me asking Cory about their trip. I feel like an outsider. "I'll see you tomorrow, sweetie." I reach to kiss his forehead.
"Goodnight." He rushes past me to jump into Hunter's arms. "The one about the caterpillar, daddy."
"That's my favorite." Hunter carries him to the bed, neither of them acknowledging my presence at all.
Chapter 7
"It's not a big deal, sunshine." I hear his footsteps enter the room before he even speaks. I consider pretending I'm asleep for a minute. I'm exhausted and the idea of hearing about why he chose to not include me in his trip plans is wearing on me.
"You're right." I don't pull my gaze from my tablet. I have a test tomorrow and with all the stress of moving in and worrying about Cory, I haven't had time to prep yet.
"I'm right?" There's definite surprise in the question.
"Sure." I don't turn around. I just don't have the energy to face him. For the first time since I've been here I just want him to go to sleep.
I feel the bed heave as he sits down. "You're not alright with this so stop pretending that you are." The words are meant to provoke me. If he wants a fight I can give him one but I'm not in prime form. He's going to win.
"I am." Does that sound sweet enough? The immature part of me wants to take off for Paris to see my best friend, Alexa, once Hunter leaves with Cory. That's so grown-up of you, Sadie.
I hear the rustle of his clothing and I know he's getting undressed. Shit. He's going to be sprawled beside me in all his naked glory in the next minute and I have to ignore that. I need some sort of impenetrable shield for my overly active libido. "Don't you want to know where we're going?"
I just shake my head. Nope. I'll pretend I don't care. Maybe if I don't speak anymore he'll get the hint and leave me alone.
"You're really pissed, aren't you?" He's reaching for my arm now. He wants me to turn around so I can probe him about his secret trip with his son.
I sigh heavily making sure it's loud enough for him to hear. "I have a big test tomorrow, Hunter." I grab my tablet and turn over. I'll just stare at his face. I won't look down. "You would have given me a heads up about your trip with Cory if you wanted me to know."
"Sadie, it's not like that." He reaches to grab the end of my ponytail. "It was a last minute idea."
"You don't have to explain a thing." I scoot down to the end of the bed and pull myself to my feet. "I'm going to go study for a few hours. Sweet dreams."
He doesn't say a word as I walk out the door.
***
"Sadie, wake up." Cory is standing in front of me, tapping me on my cheek. "Get up."