Twice Rejected: The Luna Forged in Fire

Chapter 8

SLOANE

Caleb’s arms are tight around my neck as I carry him outside. His cheek rests against my shoulder, warm and trusting. The morning sun hits us, bright and soft, and for a moment I just breathe him in.

This is what I lost.

This is what I’m taking back.

Behind me, I hear hurried footsteps.

“Sloane!” Hunter’s voice cuts through the air, sharp and irritated.

I don’t stop. I don’t even slow down.

Caleb lifts his head. “Mommy, are we going home?”

“Yes, baby,” I say softly. “We’re going home but we're going to get ice cream later. Then we can go to the park if you like.”

His smile widened.

"Promise?"

"I promise."

Hunter catches up, grabbing my elbow.

“Sloane, what the hell was that in there?”

I turn slowly, pulling my arm free. “That was me being a mother.”

Ava hovers behind him, wringing her hands, her smile stretched thin. “Sloane, you blindsided us. We didn’t know you were coming.”

“You didn’t ask,” I say simply. "And as far as I know, I am invited to my son's awarding ceremony. Unless you didn't want me to come. Is there a reason why you won't want to see me here today?" I asked innocently.

Hunter’s eyes narrow. “N-No reason. I was just surprised." He swallowed. "You’re acting strange.”

Strange. If only he knew.

“I just took a day off to be with my son and you think it's strange,” I say. “You know I realized I have been working too much so I am thinking I will cut some hours in the hospital so I can focus on our family at home." I smiled at him. Flirting a little which made me nauseous but I had to pretend.

Ava steps forward, voice trembling with forced sweetness. “But if you decrease your hours, that means less pay too—”

"I've made enough money and I have savings, Ava. But thank you for your concern." I turned to Caleb. "Do you like Mommy to be drop you off school and pick you up?"

"Yes!" Caleb beamed.

"And play at the park after school?"

"Yes, Mommy! I would like that. Can you stay at home all day everyday?"

"Maybe." I winked at Caleb and I caught Hunter and Ava flinching. They probably couldn't believe what they were hearing. If I am home, that means they will have a hard time meeting in secret.

"Caleb, would you like to draw with me later?"

Caleb lifts his head and glares at her with the fiercest little frown I’ve ever seen.

“No. I want Mommy,” he says again, louder this time.

Ava flinches like he slapped her.

Hunter’s jaw tightens. “Sloane, we need to talk about boundaries.”

I laugh — quietly, without humor.

“Boundaries?” I echo. “You want to talk to me about boundaries? I think we should. Let's talk at home.”

Hunter’s eyes flicker with something like guilt. Or maybe fear. Hard to tell.

I shift Caleb higher on my hip and turn away.

“We’re done here.”

**

Caleb chatters the whole way home, waving his certificate in the air like a flag.

“Mommy, did you see me? Did you see when I walked on the stage? And when Ms. Harper said my name? And when I got the paper?”

“I saw everything,” I say, smiling. “You were amazing.”

He beams, kicking his little feet.

In the rearview mirror, I catch my own reflection.

I look different.

The woman staring back at me isn’t the one who let herself be erased. She isn’t the one who begged for scraps of affection.

Hunter has no idea what’s coming.

I pull into the driveway just as Hunter and Ava arrive in his car. They must’ve followed me.

Caleb unbuckles himself and jumps out before I can stop him, running straight to the front door.

“Mommy, can I hang my award in my room?”

I laugh softly. “Yes, baby. Go ahead.”

He disappears inside.

Hunter storms toward me the second Caleb is out of earshot.

“What is going on with you?” he demands. “You’re acting—”

“Different?” I finish for him. "It's good, right?" I stepped closer to him and caress his chest. I saw him swallowed but didn't avoid my touch.

Ava hovers behind him, arms crossed, eyes darting nervously.

Hunter steps closer. “You embarrassed Ava today.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Did I?”

Ava swallows. “Sloane, I know you’re stressed, but—”

"I am not stressed. I actually feel good. I feel like I've missed a lot by working too much. I should have taken good care of you, baby." I almost threw up. I hugged him and rested my face on the crook of his neck. I felt his breathing go uneven and his arm wrapped around me.

Ava’s mouth snaps shut.

Hunter looks between us, confused. “You haven't."

“I know,” I say. “But I'm here now and we'll have some changes."

"That's good, baby. But Ava and I are--"

“Are what?” I ask softly. “Together?”

His eyes widen.

Ava pales.

I tilt my head. "I know baby. I should have just taken a cab so we could be in the same car but you and Ava arrived together so I think I made the right call so it won't be so crowded in the vehicle. Three's a crowd unless our son is with us."

They wanted to play a game. I will play.

Hunter opens his mouth, closes it, opens it again. “Yes, you are right."

I pressed my breast to his chest and looked at him. I kissed his lips lightly in front of Ava.

Ava blinks. “Hunter?"

But he didn't reply. His attention was on me. I can feel his arousal.

I whispered something dirty in his ear and he blushed. That's the part where Ava stomped her foot and walked towards the house.

Hunter and I shared a kiss before heading back inside.

The front door bursts open and Caleb runs out, waving his hand.

“Mommy! Mommy, I put it on my wall!”

I kneel and open my arms. He crashes into me, giggling.

Ava watches from the living room sofa, her face tight.

Hunter stayed beside me and smiled.

I lift Caleb and kiss his cheek. “I’m proud of you.”

He wraps his arms around my neck and whispers, “I love you, Mommy.”

Ava looks like she might cry.

I stand, holding Caleb close, and meet Hunter’s eyes.

“This is the new normal,” I say quietly. “Get used to it, baby.”