Fade to Black Read Online Free Page B

what
she was. And she knew what she was: a mother, an artist, and a business owner. Those
things were what she needed to remember, and get back to. She went to her son’s
backpack and removed his homework to double-check it. Not
that she didn’t think Devlin couldn’t do it, she just knew her son
better. By the time she was done, she had a frown on her face. He had done
everything she would have done, and maybe even better. She knew she was a bit
of an overprotective mother, but she was the only one her son had, the only one
he could rely on. It was her duty as a mother to make sure they were both kept
safe.
    She shouldn’t be spending her time
fantasizing about some famous movie star who was going to walk out of her life
before she could count to ten. There was going to be no happily ever after. Why
was she even thinking about this when settling down and marrying another man
was never part of her plan? How could someone walk into her life one day and
the very next be sitting down to have dinner with her and her most precious
creation, her son? What was wrong with her? She’d spent years being happy with
just her and Leo. She didn’t need a man in her life, but boy, would it be nice
to have Devlin in her life.
    She was surprised when she walked back into
the living room and the game was already set up and waiting for her. With a
frown, she looked into the kitchen and saw it was all put back in order. “Thank
you, that was fast.” She sat down next to her son on the floor.
    Devlin held his hand up and Leo slapped it.
“We men don’t mess around.” He gave her a sly look. “So, did the homework check
out?”
    Lily blinked a few times at him. “Whatever
makes you think I checked his homework?” When he didn’t answer and just
mimicked her blinking, she continued, “Fine. Yes, I checked it. Happy?”
    “Only if you are.” He turned toward Leo, “Are you ready to lose?”
    “No way, dude, I’m totally going to kick
some butt.”
    She was more quiet than normal during the
game as she watched her son interact with a male figure. She knew he needed a
male role model in his life, but to finally be faced with it, and see someone
take interest in him, she realized she had to change. For her
son. They were having a good-natured battle and singing ‘Sorry’ as they
sent each other back to start over and over. She knew it was getting late when
Leo inched closer and rested his head on her shoulder as they continued to
play. He was getting so big. The only time he sought out affection was when he
was sick or tired. Glancing at their pieces on the board, she knew it wasn’t
going to be much longer before the game was over. Sure enough, when Devlin drew
the next card, he brought his last piece home.
    “Come on, bubby, time for bed.”
    “’K…” He stood up. “Night, Dev. Hey, will
you come back soon so we can have a rematch?”
    “Sure thing, let me check my schedule,”
Devlin replied.
    “Come on, let’s brush those teeth,” Lily
said.
    When he was done, she tucked him in bed and
leaned down and gave him a kiss on the cheek. “I love you, little man.”
    “Love you, too, Mommy.”
    “Goodnight.”
    “Dev is pretty cool.”
    “Yes, he is. Now it’s time to go to sleep.”
    “Can you believe he’s already seen the new
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle movie? That’s so awesome. I can’t wait to see it.”
    “It is awesome, and I know you can’t wait, but
it’s still time to go to sleep.”
    “’K, night.” He rolled over onto his side, away from her.
    Rubbing his back, she remembered what it
was like when he was a baby and she’d do the same thing. Sighing and getting up,
she made sure his blankets were exactly right and left the room leaving the
door cracked open.
    When she walked back in to the living room,
the game was cleaned up and Devlin was sitting on the couch with a glass of
wine for her. “Thank you. Don’t get me wrong, I love my son, but there is
something about when he’s gone to bed