Changing the bad boy

Chapter 6

VALERIE POV

"Mommy, Bella wnines from the living room couch."I hungry."

"I know, sweetie, I know. I'm working on it, okay?"

We've been home for less than two minutes. I've just managed to get all our crap inside and take off my high heels. It's already after six and I know they're probably starving. I leave the lunch bags by the door next to Bella's backpack and my purse and grab Rory under his arms to bring him with me into the kitchen.

"Want pizza," Bella says from where she's bouncing up and down on the couch. She knows she's not supposed to, but I don't reprimand her because I know it will start some kind of temper tantrum. And quite frankly, I'm too tired to deal with it. It's been a day from hell. I'm lucky I still have a job after that scheduling fiasco.

"Not tonight, Bella."

"Yes."

I take a deep breath and try my hardest to remain calm.

"No, sweetie. We don't have any tonight."

"Pizzzzzzzzaaaaaa," she yells. "Want pizzzzaaaaa."

I put Rory in his high chair,drop a few cheerios on his tray and turn to the fridge while I attempt to tune out my daughter. It's easier said than done. She's freaking loud

find that the refrigerator is empty. It's not like I went food shopping, but I'm still staring at it like if I stand there long enough,some kind of food might miraculously appear.

It's not until Rory lets out a loud wail that I closethe door and turn to him.

"What's going on, baby boy?"

I ask. I realize his fish is on the floor and bend to pick it up. Most kids have stuffed animals, and usually they are some kind of teddy bear.But not my kid. He has a large colorful stuffed fish that's as bright blue as Dory, thanks to my brother.

"I like to fish," he responded when I asked why he bought a stuffed fish for his

nephew's first birthday.

I didn't even know they made stuffed animals like that until that point. And,of course, it had to become Rory's favorite toy.The one he slept with and carried around under his arm wherever we went.

"Pizzzzzaaaaa, mommmmmyyyy," Bella shouts and I inhale deeply and let it out slowly while I open the freezer. There's not much there either.

"Mommmyyyyy."

"Please, Bella," I say as I move to the cabinet I use as a pantry. "I'm working on it."

It only has a few items, but I spot a box in the back, and I know it's going to save

my night: mac 'n cheese.

It must be like dinner for champions. Or losers.Whatever.

"How about mac 'n cheese, Bells?" I ask.

"Yeah," she yells back, and I let out a sigh of relief.

I get a pot of water on the stove and go to change the kids into their pajamas. It takes longer than it should,so the macaroni is a bit more than done when we get back to the kitchen. But it's whatever. It's not like my kids are used to gourmet food. I drain it and get it ready. Bella shrieks happily when I allow her to stir in the powdered cheese.

My phone buzzes while I feed Rory some apple sauce.

I turn around to check it. It's Fiona, but before I have time to respond, there's a loud sound as Rory's bowl hits the floor and there's Mac and cheese all over it.

"Rory!" I say in a stern voice.The big smile on his face falters a little bit, but not completely.

"He bad boy," Bella says with a serious expression.

"Yes, that was bad," I respond.

I put Rory's plate in the sink and turn back to him with a wet burp cloth that I use to wipe his face and hands.

"Are you finished?" I ask Bella while I'm removing a squirming Rory from his high-chair.

She nods with her mouth full of food, and I can't help but smile. She looks like a squirrel hoarding for the winter.

My phone chimes again, and I pick it up with one hand.

"Wine Wednesday?" Fiona asks with a picture of a wine bottle.

I almost sing hallelujah. It's like I entered church and saw the light. I so need both the wine and my best friend.

I put Rory down on the floor and respond with a "YES."He takes off and I chase after him, wondering when he got so quick at crawling, while I call out for Bella to follow me.

Bv the time Fiona arrives 45 minutes later, I'm standing at the stove eating cold Mac n cheese straight from the pot. I'm still dressed in a short sleeve blouse that now has Mac and cheese on the shoulders from Rory's little hands, and my blue pants.I'm so tired I could probably fall asleep standing up, but I'd feel guilty for canceling on Fiona when she wants to hang out with me and already bought a bottle of wine.

"Babe," she sighs when I open the door. She looks me up and down, and I know I'm a mess. I'm pretty sure I even have cheese sauce in my hair.

"Go shower and change,"she says over her shoulder as she heads towards my kitchen. "T'll get the wine glasses.

I don't even bother arguing but head into the bathroom and take a quick but lovely shower. Fiona has two large glasses of wine on the table and a Magic Mike show cued up the tv when I walk out there. I know she is using her own account because I don't have access to that, but it's not like I'm complaining.

I sink down onto the couch in my flannel pants and my old, worn sorority t-shirt. I only lasted a year, but the t-shirt is just so soft that I still have it more than 15years later.

"Better?" Fiona asks and I nod.

"Good," she responds and hands me a glass that's more than half full of wine.

"That's some pour," I say and take a large gulp.

Fiona laughs. "You look like you need it. That and some Magic." She holds her glass out and I tap mine to hers.

"To your new job."

"Thanks."

Fiona starts the show.She keeps the volume low even though I closed the door to the kid's bedroom because the walls are thin. Way too thin for my liking, I really don't want to hear my next-door neighbors getting it on, but it is what it is. It's a roof over our heads, in a relatively safe area.

"How's the maoic over at Cartwright & Sons?" she asks with a sly grin on her lips.

I groan. "I don't even know half the s**t I'm supposed to." And after today's mishap the pressure is definitely on to figure this s**t out asap.

"It's only been a few days.You'll get the hang of it," she says encouragingly.

"Hopefully."

"You will, babe," she says and downs about half of her wine. It's quite impressive because she's not a very big girl.

I curl up at the end of the couch and take another couple of sips of the red wine while I absentmindedly watch attractive men dance around on mytv in verv

little clothing. They look good, but not as good as Preston.

"So how are they?" Fiona asks. She's finished her first glass and is reaching for the bottle to refill it.

"Hot, arrogant, intelligent,assholes."

She puts her head back and laughs. "So as expected?"

"Yeah." I shrug my shoulders. "I guess." "At least you've got something to look at," Fiona says. "I've got nothing."

That makes me laugh. Because she's definitely right in that. Most of Fiona's coworkers are men near retirement and old enoush to be her father.Even without the age gap their outlook on women doesn't really recommend them. The only other woman in the office is well past retirement age herself, but they keep convincing her to stay on mostly because they like that she makes them lunch.

"I just wish Preston wasn't such an ass. He makes me doubt myself over and over.And it's not like the job is that hard. A lot of it is just balancing their calendars."

Fiona nods.

"He just gets under my skin..." I say and take another long sip of wine, annoyed at myself that I let him. The wine is smooth and goes down easily. "He's just"Maybe it's like in elementary school, babe,"she says and her face splits into a grin. "Boys pick on the girls they like."

I'm about to take another sip but stop with the glass next to my mouth. "I really doubt that's it. He can have anyone he wants, Fi."

"So?" Her face takes on a disapproving scowl. "You're hot."

I snort out a laugh.

"Seriously?" I gesture at myself as I sit on the couch in my t-shirt and flannel pants with no makeup on and my hair in a messy bun, and not one of those attractive messy-on-purpose kinds.

"Yes seriously" she savs and her tone loses some of its teasing. "You might be a bit of a mess, but you still got it.I would kill to have a body like yours."

I don't know why. Fiona is like a little adorable spitfire.

Petite and slender, with short black hair and dark brown eyes, while I'm of average height with too big boobs and an ass that requires me to go up a size in pants.

"You don't give yourself any credit," she continues, "but you're freaking hot." I put my wine down on the table without taking another drink. I feel awkward, exposed maybe. Self-conscious. I'm not used to discussing the way I look. And it's not like mv ex was every complimentary. Or at all. Perhaps the way he left me caused some deep scars as well.

It's not that I'm unhappy with my body, it's more that I don't have time to take care of myself the way I should.I'm only in somewhat decent shape from running after the kids. And my hair is blonde because I keep my hair dye stocked in my bathroom cabinet, otherwise I'd be sporting some serious grays.

"Even if that's true," I respond, "and I don't, but Preston is young. Much too young for me."

"So, you'd be a cougar,"she grins. "And it's only a seven-year difference."

That has me snorting out another laugh. "It will never happen, Fi."

"Hm." She drinks a little more wine and then her eyes light up again. "What about the others?"

I pick my glass up and take another small sip. "What about them?"

"They're hot. Hook up with them!"

"Are you trying to pimp me out?"

She rolls her eyes. "You haven't had s*x since before Rory was born. I'm not telling you to marry them.Just have sex."

"Just have s*x," I repeat.

"Yeah " She flip back

against the back of the couch. "That's all. It's not like you have to fall in love with anyone, but maybe it's time to clear out some of the cobwebs down there," she says and points to my crotch.

I don't have a response because she's right. I don't think I've had s*x since I got pregnant with Rory, and that was a really long time ago.There probably are cobwebs down there. Dried up ones.Crusty, shriveled ones like fallen autumn leaves.

"See," Fiona grins. "You're thinking about it. I bet it'd be good."

Neither of the Cartwright brothers would go for me, not with all the other available options they have,but I decided to humor

Fiona. So I ask, "With which one?"

"Either one. They're all hot and have that BDE."

"BDE?" I repeat as my eyebrows narrow.

"Big d**k energy," she explains, and I think I might be blushing. But she's not wrong. They do kind of have that. Especially Preston.

And that annoys me.He's so arrogant. Why would he have to have a big d**k?

"You're thinking about it now," she grins.

"Mm hm," I agree, because I'm thinking that maybe it's time I clear out the cobwebs. Even if it's not to take either of the Cartwright brothers for a test drive that thirteen-story building.There must be someone there willing to help a girl out.

"You know what Fi," I say and drain the rest of my wine. "Maybe it's time I get out there again. Have some casual sex."

"Yes," she shouts, and I shush her. I don't need the kids to wake up, and that brings me back to reality. What the hell am I even thinking about? I don't have time for any men.

So then why can't I stop imagining what Preston's tall, trim body would look like naked