My Twist of Fortune by Rayne, Piper (little red riding hood read aloud txt) 📗

line forming outside the restaurant. “Hell. No.”

“Watch it,” I say.

“I’m not going in there so everyone can stare at us because you can’t control yourself.”

I run my hand down my face and turn around in the seat. “Listen.” I remove Chevelle’s hands from her ears. Adam removes his. “I want you all to understand that what’s between Marla and I is serious, so you’re going to hear things about us. Yes, we’re dating but it’s more than that. I’m in love with her. I understand that this is the first time any of you have seen me with a woman who isn’t your mother. I know it might make you uncomfortable, but…”

Cade opens the door, slams it, and walks down the sidewalk.

I sigh.

Fisher joins him a second later. It doesn’t take long for Xavier to tag along.

“Where are they going?” Chevelle asks.

“Let’s just have some breakfast. Do you guys have any questions?”

Adam shrugs. “I like Marla.”

I ruffle his hair. “I’m glad.”

“Won’t Mommy be mad?” Chevelle asks.

My heart petrifies and cracks, turning to ash.

“Mom is dead,” Adam says matter-of-factly to his little sister.

I glare at Adam, and he shrugs like “What does she not understand?”

I put my hand on Chevelle’s knee. “I think Mommy would want me to be happy, and spending time with Marla makes me happy.”

“But…” Her bottom lip quivers.

God, this is a thousand times harder than I thought it would be.

“She’s not coming back. You understand that, right?” Adam says to Chevelle.

Through the window, I spot Chip from the radio station walking by. Obviously the report we listened to was recorded earlier. I wonder how many times that thing is gonna be aired. He’s busy shaking hands and laughing with some of the people in line. Laughing at my fucking expense.

“Just sit tight for a second,” I tell my two youngest and grab the keys out of the ignition, stepping out of my truck.

Lucky for me, Chip is at the tail end of my truck. Hopefully what I’m about to do won’t be witnessed by my kids.

“Chip!”

He turns around with a smirk as he nods in my direction, saying goodbye to the other guy who must see my expression isn’t a good one because his eyes widen.

“Hey, Romeo,” Chip says.

I cock my fist back and punch him clean across the face. “That’s for playing with people’s lives.”

His hand flies to his jaw and he scrambles to get back on his feet. Not my best moment, especially since there are now faces plastered to the windows of Two Brothers and an Egg, but I’m not gonna let him think he can talk about me and hurt my kids that way. “Hey, man, I wasn’t the one who wanted it.”

“And who did?” I’m usually a cool-mannered guy. Not much upsets me, but I have five kids who will have to deal with the fallout from his report. What this will do to Marla and her reputation in town only makes it worse.

“It was your mom.”

“What?”

He steps back as though he’s afraid I’m going to hit him again, holding up his hands. “Her and that new friend of hers. They came to me this morning with the story. Thought it might break the ice for you two so you can stop hiding. And the station’s ratings are down. I’m sorry, Hank.”

The anger boiling inside me dissipates to a simmer. “I’m sorry, Chip.” I wince at the bruise that’s already forming. “Put some ice on that.”

I climb back into my truck and start the engine.

“I thought we were eating breakfast?” Adam asks.

“Change of plans. We’re going to Grandma’s.”

“Yay!” Chevelle yells.

Before I go, I shoot off two texts. The first to Cade.

Me: You better watch your brothers. I’m going to Grandma’s if you want to meet me there otherwise I’ll see you at home.

The second text is harder to find words for.

Me: You might already know this, but we’ve been outed to the entire town by the local radio station. You might want to talk to your kids today. Don’t worry, I’m handling the source it came from to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

I toss my phone into the center console and head to my parents’ house, which sits just outside of the downtown, up on a mountainside with a perfect view of the bay. I park in the circular drive and slam the truck door. Adam comes to my side, Chevelle skipping ahead of us up the pathway.

Using my key, I open the front door, but I stop in my tracks when I see boxes stacked everywhere.

“Is Grandma moving?” Adam asks.

I look down at him.

Chevelle skips into one room and right back out. “It’s empty.”

I shake my head. What the hell is going on?

Hank: You might already know this, but we’ve been outed to the entire town by the local radio station. You might want to talk to your kids today. Don’t worry, I’m handling the source it came from to make sure it doesn’t happen again.

Me: I heard it this morning. Planning on a family breakfast discussion. Hope things are okay with you.

Hank doesn’t get back to me, which I hope doesn’t mean things are imploding on his end. Posey sidles up next to me at the table. I’ve allowed the kids to sleep in today, which is good because after the wonderful Chip Cooperton decided to out me and Hank to all of our hometown, I need the kids to hear about how serious our relationship is from me and not someone else. Especially since now everyone will be talking about it.

I kiss the top of her head. “Cereal?”

“Can you make pancakes?”

I smile at my usually too-mature eight-year-old who thankfully isn’t acting like an adult this morning. “Why don’t you help me?”

She sits up straighter. “Can I crack the eggs?”

I slide out of my chair and nod. “Yep.”

“Yay!”

I decide to make a big breakfast. Hopefully full bellies will make up for the fact I’m going to break some harsh news to them this morning.

By the time