From the day Noah was born until he turned three, Corey was the one doing the midnight feedings and changing diapers, present for every milestone.
Noah's very first word wasn't "mama."
It was "dada."
A man like that, falling for him was something I couldn't control. And I had my reasons.
But it turned out that when a man wanted to put on an act, he could keep it up for years.
Fine. Let him chase his dream. I'd live my own life.
"By the way," Corey rubbed his nose and lowered his voice. "We've got the National Band Championship coming up, so I'll be pretty tied up. Might not make it home some nights. Just... bear with me, okay?"
I went blank for a moment before remembering that their entry slot for the competition was something I'd begged a client to arrange, practically groveling for the favor.
With his band's actual skill level, they never would have qualified on their own.
But that entry slot? I didn't feel like giving it to them anymore.
So I nodded lightly.
"Sure. Got it."
Corey froze. Whether it was guilt or something else, he suddenly wrapped his arms around me from behind, pulling me close.
"Babe."
His voice was muffled against my hair.