Spouse Swap

Charlie and Jordan

Taylor

"So, what's she like?" Travis excitedly asked once I arrived.

"She's fine," I casually answered.

"Just fine or fiiiine?"

"Can you let it go? We have work to do," I chastised.

"Not until you tell me about her and what she looks like."

I narrowed my eyes at him in an attempt to call his bluff, but Travis wasn't budging. I sighed heavily, stroking my beard. "Alright, alright. Her name's Charlotte, and she's an attorney. So far, she's very nice and extremely good with Connor. Now can we get to work, please?" I practically begged.

Travis smirked at me. "Nah, not yet. You deflected and didn't tell me what she looked like."

Grumbling under my breath, I pulled my phone out and showed Travis the selfie we took earlier.

"Oh, hell, man. You're in trouble."

"Tell me about it," I sighed, gathering my tools.

"Did Sarah know she was this sexy when she agreed to the swap?"

I shook my head. "Neither couple knew what each other looked like," I answered, taking my phone back, sliding it into the back of my worn blue jeans. "What's worse is that the experiment forces us to sleep in the same bed together."

Travis ruefully chuckled, clutching his belly and leaning against the black work truck for support. "Good freaking luck, bro! You know I love Melissa, but if I had to share a bed with Charlie, and Melissa hadn't put out in almost a year, I may not be able to hold myself back! Whew! Better you than me!"

I glared at him icily. "You're not helping the situation."

"Let's get to work so you can get back home to the new missus. By the way, y'all looked real cozy in that picture together, just saying."

We finished work earlier than I expected. Jordan would be home soon, and Kaylynn was spending the night at her friend Jamie's house. I love my daughter, but ever since she became a teenager, she was no longer my sweet baby girl. I found myself walking on eggshells around her in my own damn house and was thankful for the relief, even if it was just for the night.

I pulled into the driveway, parking next to Charlie's new Escalade. I would never be able to afford a luxurious vehicle, not with three kids to put through college. Jordan has costly football expenses. Kaylynn has braces, and there were diapers and formula for Connor. If only Sarah would be willing to get at least a part-time job, we'd be a little better off.

I unlocked the door, kicked off my boots in the doorway, and was met by both silence and a sweet aroma wafting from the kitchen. Dinner is seldom ready when I get home. Most nights end with me cooking or us picking up something to eat. If Sarah attempted to cook, it's usually something quick that took almost no effort at all. I was excited to see what Charlie cooked because I was tired of frozen lasagnas and rotisserie chickens.

I lifted the lid on the crockpot, causing my stomach to grumble at the sight of the succulent meatballs. I found a fork and stole one. "Damn, that's good," I muttered to myself as I made my way to the fridge. I grabbed a beer, cracked it open, and began to drink slowly. I paused and did a double-take at the plethora of groceries in the refrigerator. No way did she buy all of this for $250.00. I went to open the freezer and found a few receipts secured to the door by a metallic magnet. I couldn't believe it. How did this woman get so much stuff for $250.00? Charlie's resourceful, and that only adds to her charm. She managed to get two weeks' worth of groceries with just one week's budget.

I searched the house looking for Charlie and Connor. When I didn't find them in the nursery, I assumed they had to be in my bedroom...well our bedroom.

I found both Connor and Charlie knocked out. Charlie laid on her back, lightly snoring while Connor laid in her protective arms with his head resting on her breasts and his butt hunched in the air. I've heard that babies can see into a person's soul, and according to Connor, Charlie must have the purest soul known to man. I will admit, I was nervous about having a stranger around my children, but I'm glad I took the leap. I can already tell Charlie is a caring and loving woman, and she hasn't even been here an entire day. She puts my anxieties at ease.

I pulled out my phone and took a picture for the photo album I planned on creating to give Charlie when the program ended and we went our separate ways. I slid in next to them, setting the alarm so that we could wake up before Jordan made it home. I deeply inhaled, enjoying her scent. She smelled like roses after a calming afternoon rain shower, I thought, drifting off to sleep.

Charlie

I groggily opened my eyes a few minutes before my alarm sounded. I peeked down to find Connor still sleeping, drool pouring out of his mouth and pooling in between my breasts. I turned my head slightly to the left and widened my eyes at the sight of Taylor resting peacefully beside me. If he was any closer, he would be inhaling me. I'm not going to front, I really didn't mind.

I slipped Connor off of me, gently laying him next to his father surrounded by pillows. I changed into a pair of sweats and padded down the hallway to the kitchen to finish dinner. There wasn't much to do but put the rice in the rice cooker and steam the broccoli. I absently thought about my day, finding it pretty unbelievable that I feel so comfortable in this home. I heard the front door unlock, open, and close.

"I'm home!"

It had to be Jordan. It would've been nice if Taylor was awake to be a buffer. What if Jordan didn't like me? What if he's a little brat and chooses to make the next three months of my life hell? Calm down, Charlotte. It'll be alright. You handle grown men in court all day; you can manage a 15-year-old boy, I told myself.

Jordan came stumbling into the kitchen and stared at me with his mouth open for several moments. This was already becoming awkward.

"Hi! I'm Charlotte, but you can call me Charlie. You must be Jordan," I enthusiastically greeted, shoving my hand towards him. This child was a carbon copy of his daddy and is guaranteed to be a heartbreaker. He timidly shook my hand, turning all shades of red. "I hope we can be friends," I offered, waiting for him to say something back. Really, I would've taken anything.

"N-Nice t-to meet you," he choked out.

Taylor came from around the corner slapping Jordan on the shoulder. "What's the matter, son? Get it together. You act like you've never seen a beautiful woman before."

Jordan glared at Taylor before shrugging his hand off of his shoulder. Taylor's not-so-subtle compliment caused my face and body to heat up. I silently chastised myself for being so easy. Taylor was not the first man to call me beautiful, and certainly wouldn't be the last. His compliment did have me wondering when the last time Myles paid me a genuine compliment without me having to fish for one. I honestly can't remember.

"Charlie, you okay?"

I snapped out of it and returned my attention to the food. "Yeah, I'm fine, just thinking." As if on cue, Connor's soft cries began to echo through the house. "I've been summoned," I giggled to myself. "Help yourselves. I'm gonna change him, and I'll join y'all in a few."

"We can wait for you," Taylor offered.

I waved him off. "Don't be ridiculous; I'll be back soon."

I scurried to the bedroom and found Connor flailing his arms and crying in frustration.

"Oh, boy, you smell foul. No wonder you're screaming your head off. I bet you're miserable," I cooed. Twenty minutes later, Connor was bathed, lotioned, and dressed in a dinosaur onesie that I fancied. I made my way to the kitchen, bouncing Connor gently in my arms. By the way he sucked on his tiny fist, you would've thought the poor thing hadn't eaten all day. I was so consumed in fixing Connor a bottle that I hadn't realized Taylor had snuck up behind me.

"Let me take him so you can eat, Charlie."

I jumped at the feeling of his warm breath on the back of my neck.

"Dinner was great, by the way. Thank you. We haven't had a decent home-cooked meal in a while."

I raised my eyebrow at him questioningly, eliciting a heavy sigh from Taylor. "Sarah, my wife, doesn't cook much." I scrunch my face up in disbelief.

"I know what you're thinking," he grimly said. "How is it that my stay-at-home wife doesn't cook?"

He's not wrong. The thought did cross my mind. I work all day and still manage to buy groceries and cook almost daily. What's her excuse?

"Look, I'm sorry. It's not my place to judge."

He chuckled to himself. "Don't worry about it, Charlie. I'm not upset. I think it's a natural reaction."

Guilt and sympathy began to nag at me. Such a simple meal received so much appreciation. It was literally no sweat off my back. The crockpot and the rice cooker did most of the work.

"I fixed you a plate. It's on the table," Taylor mentioned pulling Connor out of my arms, who immediately started bawling. "Jesus, Charlie, what have you done to my baby?"

I giggled, handing him the warmed bottle. "Nothing. I only showed him a little TLC. Honestly, I think I spoiled him. We've been attached at the hip most of the day."

I strutted out of the kitchen to the dining room, where Jordan sat nibbling at his food. "What's the matter, Jordan? Did you not like it? I can fix you something else," I offered.

"No!" he shouted, leaving both Taylor and I puzzled by his sudden outburst. He shyly cleared his throat. "I-I was just taking my time. I wanted to eat with you," he quietly admitted.

I don't think this kid can get any more adorable, I thought, watching him try to hide his blushing cheeks behind his hand. "Goodness, had I known you were waiting on me I would have moved a little faster."

"No worries, Charlie."

"Well, I guess we should get to know each other," I said between bites. "I'll go first. Let's see. I'm 28. I've been married for seven years, and I have a four-year-old daughter named Emori. I'm ranked as the third-best divorce attorney in Texas. I enjoy traveling, reading, listening to music, shopping, and watching horror and action movies. I'm also a huge Dallas Cowboy fan," I chirped. "Fingers crossed they make it to the Super Bowl this year!"

Jordan enthusiastically nodded his head with a bright smile on his face. "That would be a dream come true. Dad and I are huge Cowboy fans, but we've never been to a game before. But we'll get there one day," he optimistically pronounced, spearing a meatball with his fork.

"I know you will, too," I confirmed with a wink, making him blush deeper. Poor kid; he wears his heart on his sleeve. "Any hobbies?"

"Just the typical teenage stuff, I guess. Hanging out with friends, playing video games, listening to music, and playing football. Coach said that if I keep up the good work that I'll make it to varsity next year."

"That's amazing, Jordan, I'm sure you'll make it. When is your next game?"

"We made the playoffs. The game is this Saturday. Do you want to come and cheer me on?"

"Of course I do."

Jordan gazed at me intently. "Are you sure? Mom never comes. She complains that it's always too cold and that she hates football," he lowly mumbled with a depressed look on his face.

Damn. What does this woman actually do? She doesn't work, cook, and she doesn't support her children. I placed my hand on his tense shoulder. "Of course I'll be there, Jordan. I wouldn't miss it for the world."

"You promise?" he asked with big puppy dog eyes. I held out my pinky to him and waited for him to wrap his around mine.

"I promise."