Free A Second Chance Love by T.K. Paige Page A

Jacob’s favorite. Pulled pork, which I had slow cooked overnight and stripped this morning so it could simmer in my homemade sauce. The added benefit was the slow-cooker dish could just be put in the fridge so there was no clean-up needed when we moved to the next step.
    “That was great, sweetheart, thank you.” Jacob pushed his chair back from the table. “I have a few things I should go do though.”
    Yes, just not what you’re thinking.
    I exchanged a quick glance with Kyle first then moved my eyes back to Jacob and gave him my best guileless look. That he didn’t immediately become suspicious went to show just how messed up he was. Our old Jacob not only would’ve gone on guard, he would’ve had flashing lights and warning sirens going off in his mind.
    “Can you come upstairs with me first, Jacob?” I asked quietly, hoping he wouldn’t ask for a reason.
    He sighed. “Sure.”
    He followed me upstairs to our room and grunted in surprise when I climbed on the bed after I stripped off the loose fitting cotton dress I had been wearing. The only clothing I had left was his favorite lacy black bra and panty set.
    “What are you doing, Kerri?” His eyes were devouring me, but his tone let me know he wasn’t going to let this happen easily.
    “Trying to get your attention. Is it working?”
    “What do you mean?” He tilted his head at me in confusion. “You and Kyle are all I think about. I spend every minute I have trying to fix everything for both of you.”
    “But when was the last time you spent time with us? You work all day and keep on going until we drag you to bed, then you’re so exhausted you collapse. We wake up in the morning and you’re already gone. We miss you, Jacob, and we’re worried. What is wrong?” I pleaded with him. “Just talk to us.”
    He ran his hands over his face. He looked so tired. His skin was pale and lined. There were bags under his eyes. He was literally making himself sick. “Kerri, I’m not doing this. I need to get things done.”
    I watched as he turned only to realize that Kyle stood in the doorway with his hands grasping both sides.
    Where I had tried the softer approach, I could tell from Kyle’s blazing eyes that he was more than willing to take the harder line.
    “Jacob, you’re doing this because I’m not letting you out of this room. There is nothing that needs to be done today and the only reason there has been so much for you to do is you won’t let me do half of the things I should be doing.” Kyle let go of the door and started fisting his hands in his hair. His eyes twitched, betraying just how anxious he was. “Have I done something wrong?”
    “No, no how could you possibly think that?” Jacob flinched, almost like he had been slapped on the cheek. The thought of Kyle blaming himself must have truly shocked him. He paled then said. “I’m the one who fucked everything up.”
    I watched as he started pacing around with his eyes bouncing between Kyle and me wildly. What the hell?
    “I’m the one who keeps fucking everything up!” Jacob yelled.
    My eyes snapped to Kyle’s and we both realized this was way more serious than we had thought. Oh, my God, what had we missed? What had been going on with this man we both loved so dearly?
    “Jacob, what do you mean?” I asked him. “You haven’t screwed anything up.” I tried to be loud enough to get him to pay attention without sounding angry. I think he would’ve shattered if he thought we were angry.
    “Yes, I have,” Jacob answered me almost tearfully. “I am the one who convinced you not to go talk to your dad right away. Then he comes out here and the two of you fight. Maybe he wouldn’t have been so upset if we had told him sooner.” He took a deep breath, shuddering. “I was so afraid that if he made you choose, you would eventually decide to leave us. That maybe Kyle would go with you. Or if he stayed with me, I would have to share him with other women again. I can’t face