Free Meant To Be by Jennifer Labelle

parents are in the spare room, and I’m tired of it.” She sighed before covering her face. She was exhausted with all of the stress, period. “You picked your priorities, Tyler, and now we all have to deal with the consequences.”
    He picked up flowers from the table to hand to her, but she didn’t want them. If that was his apology, he could keep it. She wasn’t joking when she said she was tired. He literally drained her sometimes, making her numb to his advances, and it only got worse the longer it carried on.
    “ I am so sorry,” he whispered, giving her a chill as she thought about her recent dream.
    “ I agree; you are sorry. There’s a little boy upstairs who needs that apology more than I do.”
    He nodded and stood. “Can I make this up to you?” He moved his face closer to kiss her. She backed away from his advances for the first time. “You could start by getting your priorities straight from now on,” she said, feeling vulnerable and unsure of herself. “There’s a pillow and a blanket already down here for you. If there isn’t anything else, I’m going to go to bed.”
    He looked shocked as she walked away. It was the first time she’d ever refused his advances and definitely his first time on the couch. Jenna usually talked things through when she was upset, and she hoped that he realized how much he’d screwed up this time. She knew exactly what he meant when he asked if he could make things up to her. He wanted sex and for the first time, she really wasn’t in the mood. She was pissed off and felt so alone. Walking upstairs, she didn’t bother to look back.
    Their situation needed to change, and it was up to him to figure out exactly what he wanted.

     

 

     
    Chapter Ten
     

    Her Brady fantasy was back. They sat on a porch swing. He held her close, quietly listening as she unburdened herself from all her worries.
    “I’m sorry, love.” His normally sexy accent sounded so soothing.
    “Why are you apologizing?” It startled her to hear him say it. Considering he’d done nothing more than give his support. He was damn near perfect in that moment, her dream man.
    “Because ye’r hurtin’, love, and I can’t stand it.” He cradled her head against his chest, while she listened to the steady beat of his heart.
    “ Wow,” she whispered in awe. “You’re too good to be true. You know, I could really get used to this. Can I keep you?”
    He chuckled, and answered her with a kiss. The butterflies stirred crazily in her stomach and moisture flowed in the area even lower as his tongue stroked in and out, making love to her mouth.
    The dream was so good, peaceful for once, and it was being pulled away like fingernails on a chalk board or like a record being scratched to bits.
    “ Mommy, Mommy,” Jayden cheered while he jumped up and down beside her on the bed. “Wake up, sleepy head.”
    “Good morning to you too.” She pulled him down and tickled him until he screeched for mercy.
    “ Grandma has breakfast ready. Come on.” His little feet were up, and he raced out in no time.
    She called as she followed. “Hey, Mom, are you and Dad still okay to watch Jayden for a little while today?” As she sat down, breakfast smelled delicious, but she felt nauseous so she stuck with toast. Grimacing at the eggs, she pushed them away. “He’ll have to be dropped off by twelve-forty-five and then picked up from school at three-fifteen.”
    “Sure honey, is everything all right?”
    “Very subtle, Mom,” Jenna laughed. “Yes, I just have a couple errands to run, and then I’d like to drop in on Tyler to have a talk with him.” She shrugged; her over-protective mother’s concern was endearing.
    “ Of course, I’ll watch Jayden, dear.”
    “Thanks.” She had to see Tyler. His absence was becoming inexcusable, and it was time for a change. She’d been too angry to speak rationally the night before, and was determined now that she’d cooled off. Important decisions were about