His Ever After (Love Square) by Jessica Ingro Read Free Book Online Page B

right there – using my mom against me. I already felt bad enough about the situation. I didn’t need her making me feel worse.
    I really couldn’t bring myself to flip out on her for being so judgmental, because I deserve all the shit she flings at me for it. One wrong choice changed the course of my life – and not for the better. If I had never given Brooke the in that I did, I’d still be with Sam. She would have left Aiden and discovered just how perfect things could be between us. I just needed to have been patient a little while longer. I still kick myself whenever I think about it.
    Thankfully, Emma and I can’t stay mad at each other for long, so all is forgiven and forgotten at this point. No hard feelings. That’s the beauty of our relationship. I know she’s looking out for me and vice versa.
    Stepping out of the car, I’m a little sad when I’m not instantly run over by the little munchkins. It’s our thing. I look forward to it every time I visit. The girls don’t like to come out and meet me when Brooke’s around. Just another thing that makes this whole situation suck. They know she isn’t fun to play with. Brooke looks at them like they are some sort of strange species she is studying. It makes me wonder what she would have been like had we had our child. I know they say a mother’s instinct typically kicks in, but I’m having a hard time picturing it.
    As Brooke shuts her car door, I push my seat forward to let Kara out from the back before getting our suitcases from the trunk.
    Brooke recruited Kara to come along for moral support. She didn’t want to be left alone with Emma when I go off to do “guy things” with John. I’m sure Emma will appreciate the buffer as well. There is nothing more awkward then spending time alone with someone you don’t care for. At least, this way Kara will be able to bridge the gap. Or so I hope.
    “Thanks, Jacob. I really appreciate you letting me come along for the weekend. What girl can pass up a shopping trip?” Kara says in her sweet way, trying to make it seem like it was her idea to tag along, in an effort to make Brooke look better.
    “Kara. I told you already, it’s really no big deal. I’m glad you’re here,” I reply, putting my hand on her arm. Her skin feels soft and smooth to the touch. And… I better stop thinking of her like that. Nothing like playing with fire.
    “Jacob! Let’s go and can you at least try to keep your hands to yourself,” Brooke snaps at me loudly from the sidewalk.
    I pull my hand back, as I give Kara a small smile and roll my eyes at Brooke’s insinuation. I reach into the trunk and finish getting the suitcases out. When I look over, Kara has a slight blush on her face, and she’s chewing on her lip. Interesting.
    Once inside, Emma sets Brooke and me up in her guest bedroom, while Kara is going to stay in Grace’s room. Candace looks ready to rip Grace’s hair out at the prospect of sharing her room for the weekend. It’s actually rather comical watching Candace’s face as Emma blows up the air mattress and lays out blankets. All the while, Grace is dancing around the room, dressed as a fairy and pretty much oblivious to the tension radiating from her sister.
    After dinner, we all settle in the living room to watch the animated movie Brave . If John were here, I’d be downstairs in the room he’s dubbed his man cave, drinking beer and watching ESPN. Instead, I’m sitting on the floor with Grace and Candace’s heads resting on my lap, while Brooke glares daggers at me from across the room. This is of course because I didn’t pay her enough attention during dinner. She can’t be any more obvious about her displeasure. If I didn’t think it would make things worse, I’d laugh at how ridiculous she is being right now.
    Emma and Kara seem taken by the movie and if pressed to admit it, I guess it’s kind of entertaining. But I’d have to be extremely hard pressed in order to admit that out loud, for