82: Happy You’re Here
Lorelei
“Of course he wants to see his mom. You want to see me too, right?” I ask, holding back the
desperation. He has kept himself distant from me. I barely recognize this Easton.
“He has a school play on Friday that he has a part in. He really wants you to come watch him.
And then he’d like to meet you face to face afterwards.” His voice is so even. No excitement in
- it.
“We can go to lunch after.” I proclaim happily.
“It’s at 8:30 and will be over around 10. He’d meet you at Jessie’s office.” Now that cold
firmness like the other night comes out.
“You’re coming of course?” I grip the phone tight enough my fingers hurt.
“No. Mandatory meeting with my coach.”
Disappointment washes over me. “The nanny will bring him?”
“No. Kingston will. Does 11 work for you?”
I roll my eyes. “Let me seeee….” I pretend to check. “That should work well. Perhaps
afterwards, I could join you two for lunch. A family outing. There’s a new Thai place I heard. Or
we could go to Le Maison Gris for dinner. I’m already missing my French food for you two so
only fair I get to introduce you to some of my favorites.” I laugh shortly.
“Sorry. We have a game that afternoon and I won’t be around for lunch.” He doesn’t sound
sorry. His usual need to pull information like teeth attitude hasn’t changed. Easton was never
a good communicator. I shove my irritation down.
“Saturday then. We can spend the whole day together.”
“We have plans all weekend.” With the f*****g mousy nanny? I start to snap. Control, Lorelei.
She’s just an easy f**k. You are the mother of his child. He just needs a little time. Bonds like
that cannot be broken.
“We can work something out. I left the weekend open for you two.” I declare with confidence.
Mother’s lessons rolling through my head. Always project what you want. Those under your
spell will follow it in some way.
Except Easton’s spell is broken each time I attempt to follow this lesson. “I will text you the
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details. You and I will not make a scene at Cole’s play. This is very important to him.”
“I would never. Do I bring something to congratulate him on a starting role? Like how I love irises and orchids.”
“No. Your time is what he wants. I’ll be in touch. Goodbye.” So formal.
“Bye baby.” I say cheerfully. The call ends and I stare down at the phone.
“Slow, deep breaths Lorelei. Tears swell the face and give you a red nose.” I repeat until my extreme need to cry is gone. “He can’t be gone. He’s mine. He was always mine. We have Cole. “I whisper to myself.
The front door springs open and I shake myself to get it together. Mother’s heels click across the floor. “You are here. Visiting me or Easton still won’t let you in the house yet and you realized you need to go with my plan?”
I straighten my shoulders and give nothing away. “He’s resisting it because he’s upset I didn’t call him while I was away. He’ll cave though.”
She drops her things on the counter and pours herself a glass of wine.i watch her slowly swirl
- it. “It’s good. I brought it home from France.” She sips it leaning her hip against the counter as
I grab my own glass. Right as I sit and take a sip she speaks. “You know he’s screwing the
nanny I hope Lorelei. I didn’t raise an idiot.”
“I am aware Mother. It’s not like I was available.”
“Separate them fast so he doesn’t become too attached. I did that with your father more than
once. You have to take action Lorelei. The Reeds always have to watch their backs with
women. Make it look like she’s just using Easton for his name and money.” She sniffs boredly.
It’s my problem so I am sure she isn’t very interested. Though she can benefit from Cole too. I
wonder if Dad ran when he realized she had separated him from something that made him
happy. He could have taken me with him, the f*****g coward. Instead he ran off and I didn’t
see or hear from him until a year ago. Purely by chance with his new little family. Two kids in
their early teens and his petite mousy wife. He’d almost seemed embarrassed of me standing
there.
“I met someone today. He wants Easton, asked me if I wanted to help. Wants to knock him off
the revered Reed pedestal it seems. He was stalking the nanny but knew about me and Cole.”
“Did you encourage him? He could pursue her and help break them apart. Maybe he can even knock Easton back making it easy for you to comfort and help him.” She looks very thoughtful as she talks mostly to herself. “He’ll be easier to manipulate if his emotions are out of control.
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It’s not like his father will let him fall back far.”
“I think he’s off. I didn’t get a good vibe from him.” I caution her. “His name was Maxton Porter and I think he’s Dale Porter’s son.” That guy was dirty too. When I stumbled on him, I was just curious if she and Easton were really together.
“Even better. We need someone ruthless. We are running out of time.” She frowns. “Or do I
have to do all the heavy lifting?”
“No. I can get him back Mother.” I answer quietly.
“You say that, yet here you are sitting in our house drinking my wine as you give me nothing but excuses for why you aren’t in his bed with him fawning over you.” She rolls her eyes. “I swear you got none of my brains. It’s a good thing I’m around, though I can’t always save you.”
“Mother let me try to get Easton back on my own. He’s letting me meet with Cole on Friday. I’m going to some stupid preschool play first. I know what I’m doing. Cole is probably the key to Easton at this point. Why the nanny found a way into his bed. I can get him.” I know I’m right. All I need my son to do is sell it to his daddy.
“See that you do. You haven’t said anything about my new dress. It came from an exclusive line by Adrienne.” She pouts as she smooths the silk skirt. “All her outfits were a huge hit at the New York event. The publicity got her to finally come to her senses and agree to dress me for all the premieres.”
“You always look exquisite Mother.” I dutifully respond to avoid the usual temper tantrum.
“I know. Try to put more sincerity into your words Lorelei. No wonder Easton isn’t falling for it.” She pours another glass of wine and begins walking toward the stairs. “Also you might watch the sugar. You are looking a bit pudgy in your midsection. Happens after having a brat but you have to watch it unless you have it tucked. Too much of your father in you too, can’t be svelte like the rest of us naturally perfect beauties.” She runs her hand over her flat stomach. “Aren’t you happy you’re here so I can help you?” With that lovely bit of advice she leaves.
I throw the wine back wishing I could slam the glass against the wall. “Control is all
you have
sometimes Lorelei.” I say slowly. I’ve always been able to control those I wanted. Easton was
easy. Since we’d been friends so long, I knew how to keep him where I wanted. I thought
Marcelle was going to be the same way. Until he left me for a f*****g waitress he liked. It
showed me Easton was the better option. And with my career about to start here in the US
hopefully, he made more sense. Cole and he will look amazing by my side. And Easton will let
me do as I please. He never was romantic, but I had a blank check to do as I wished with his
love and gifts. I stare down at the ring he bought me. “You’ll be mine again. I can’t lose to the
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nanny.” With that thought, I pull out my phone to shop. Something to win my son over after his little play should go a long way toward pulling Easton back in.
Barrett
I peek through the stage curtains without my mask on. Aunt Syd waves to me. Luci is next to
her and she waves too. Nanna points to the curtain. I nod. I just wanted to see them here. Dad
sits by her and Stormi is here too. Cole had school. Easton, Jackson, Becker and Kingston had
a test. They wanted to come.
Mrs. Dina comes and helps me with my mask. “This is the best Grinch outfit. Luci did so
good.”
I nod at her. “Luci is the best. She’s going to be my friend, Cole’s, mom. I’m going to get a mom
too. I have to wait a little though. That’s a secret Mrs. Dina.”
“I hope you get a really good one. Now it’s time for you to line up.”
After the show, Dad lifts me off the stage. Luci and Aunt Syd took lots of pictures. “That was
the best Grinch performance. The movie Grinch had better watch out!”
“Thanks Daddy!” I hug him tight.
“You go with Luci and Aunt Syd will pick you up. I have to work. Be extra good for them.” He hugs me again before he leaves.
Luci holds up her phone. “I have a video for you. Jackson sent it. I sent them the video of your
lines.”
I take her phone and press play. They each say something to me.
“Way to go Barrett.” Easton
“Bravo! Excellent acting!” Kingston
“Very mean one Mr. Grinch.” Becker
“You did an amazing job.” Jackson
I smile. I love them all. It’s nice having extra uncles.
“Let’s go to my place and then we’ll get Cole.” Luci tells me. Cole is all excited as Luci buckles
him in. She lets him watch my video. He laughs at my funny Grinch voice.
Baker gives us the best snack.
Luci lifts our plates. “Go wait for me in the playroom. I’ll get your last presents to wrap for your
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dad, Barrett.”
We run there and close the door. “Cole, did Luci talk to her? Are you going to see her?”
“Yes. And Luci wasn’t mad. Said I gets to keep her too. I…I hope it works Barrett.” He frowns
big.
“It will. Just ask her what we said. And you have Luci no matter what. Might be wrong, Cole. I get to sleep here Friday. We’ll make sure everything is ok.”
“Ok. I happy you’re here Barrett.” He smiles at me.
“Me too. We’re family Cole.” I lean over and hug him.
Luci laughs. “What are you two up to now?”
“Nothing Luci. Just happy to be best friends.” I smile at her. She hugs us both.
Ivory Row
I won’t let Cole get hurt don’t worry. Those two are plotting again. And this is not to make you feel sorry for Lorelei. Just insight into maybe what’s wrong with her. I hope to have the next two chapters out late tonight but we’ll see.
