Uncovering His SECRET by Crystal Perkins Read Free Book Online Page B

and
hug him tight. “Go on, now. And you’re still on punishment.”
    “I know, but it was
totally worth it.”
    He laughs all the way
out of the room. I debate for another ten minutes, deciding whether I
should keep the dress on or not. I finally decide to change despite
knowing I’m probably going to kiss him eventually if he starts
acting like the decent man I know he is; I also know that’s not
going to be tonight. Tonight, my anger’s still running through my
veins, so sweats and a t-shirt it is.
    “That smells good,”
I say as I walk downstairs.
    “You changed, Mama.”
    “I did.”
    “I liked the dress,
Teeg. Ow.”
    Ethan’s glaring at
him, after elbowing him in the ribs. “You’re supposed to tell her
she looks pretty no matter what she’s wearing.”
    “I am, huh?”
    “Yep. I told her she
was the most beautiful, but I’m still on punishment.”
    “What’s the
sentence?”
    Oh, shit. “I’m
sorry, Cal. I should’ve consulted with you. I’m just not used to
having someone do this with me.”
    “Your choice, not
mine.” He reminds me, having to get another dig in. The look on my
face causes him to backtrack a little. “But it’s okay. Just let
me know what he can’t do.”
    “No video games for a
week.”
    “Got it. Can I add
something, though?”
    “Sure.”
    “You’re going to
keep your room and bathroom clean from now on.”
    “Marta cleans up
after me.”
    “Not anymore. You
need to learn to clean up after yourself.”
    “He knows how,” I
say with a little more bite than I should.
    “I’m not attacking
your parenting skills. He’s just got it easy. He should know about
hard work. You and I both had to keep our own rooms clean growing up.
I’d like him to do that as well.”
    “You’re rich. I
know you have servants,” Ethan tells him.
    “I am, and I did. But
I was always expected to clean up after myself and not give anyone
else extra work just because I was being lazy.”
    I force myself to bite
my tongue and not defend Ethan. Caleb’s right. I’ve taught our
son a lot of great things, but his life is easier than either one of
ours ever was. It should be easier, but cleaning up his own room isn’t too much to ask of
him.
    “I’m not lazy. Tell
him I’m not lazy,” he demands, looking at me.
    “You aren’t lazy,
but your dad is right. You are more than capable of cleaning your own
room.”
    “My father is making my life miserable.”
    I see the look of hurt
on Caleb’s face and speak up immediately. “Ethan Caleb Hall, I
did not raise you to be a liar. We’ve already talked about how
happy you are to have your dad here. Don’t you dare try and make him feel bad for being a good
parent. Just because he and I are not getting along does not mean it
is okay for you to be rude. You’re not too old for me to put you
over my knee.”
    “You’ve never
spanked me before.”
    “Well now’s looking
like a good time to start.”
    “I’m going to shut
up now.”
    “Good call.”
    “You can spank me
anytime, Teeg. Just saying.”
    “Gross, Dad. I’m
getting ready to eat here.”
    Caleb’s eyes meet
mine, and we both smile. It’s a small thing, and yet it’s really
not. That one word tells us both that Ethan’s letting him even
further in. And that makes me happier than I’ve been in a very long
time.
    Although I put on a
brave face for dinner, I’m still not ready to forgive and forget so
quickly, which is why I tell them I’m heading up to my room right
after dinner. Ethan’s definitely not happy about it.
    “You’re going to go
cry because of him .”
    “I’m going to go
take a nice, hot bath, and try to relax a little. That’s all, E.”
    “You never lie to me,
but you’re doing it now. Because he’s here. You don’t have to
be tough all the time, Mama. I can be strong for you.”
    “It’s not your job
to take care of me, baby. And I’m going to be fine. I promise. I
just need a little time for me tonight, okay? How about you and me