Free My Married Boyfriend by Cydney Rax Page A

the kids. And Alexis’s brave front didn’t fool him.
    Just then little Hayley reentered the room. Alexis gasped and immediately ran to her daughter. Her slender hands trembled as she tried to shield Hayley’s eyes from the woman with the weapon. The air in the room felt tense.
    â€œIt’s all right, baby girl,” Rashad said in a gentle voice. “Nothing bad is going to happen.” Even though Hayley’s eyes were covered, Rashad gave her a protective squeeze. And right then knew that he would never want anything to hurt the people he loved. He calmly turned to Nicole.
    â€œBabe, don’t do this. I know you don’t mean what you said about using that thing, and I won’t let any accidents happen around here. You’re my girl, my kids are here. Hell, as the man of the house, I’m telling you we are not about to handle grown folks’ business like this. Now go get rid of that gun right now or I will do it for you.”
    Nicole felt humiliated. She was shocked that her jealousy would cause her to act so recklessly. She carefully withdrew the gun. “I-I’m sorry. I was just kidding.”
    â€œDon’t play like that. You ought to know better,” Rashad told her.
    Looking sheepish, Nicole hesitated, then quietly departed.
    Alexis trembled at the thought of what could have happened. Even though she didn’t love him anymore, she felt concerned for Rashad. “Look at what you’ve gotten yourself into. And guess what? I doubt that it’s going to get any better.”
    Alexis glanced around. “I don’t care how many hopeful-looking wishful-thinking paintings that were nailed to these walls. I’m not sure what you see in her, but Nicole is trouble. And that’s all you’re going to have from knocking up a woman like her: a life of trouble.”
    Nicole came back into the room followed by Myles. She felt more self-conscious with the boy in the room. She certainly wouldn’t want to make a horrible impression on him. And she felt a little sorrowful about her actions. She quietly observed Myles and then glanced at Hayley. It had been a while since she’d seen the little girl; her legs were longer, her cheeks fuller. She was growing up. Like it or not, Hayley was Rashad’s child and Nicole needed to face reality.
    â€œSorry about that,” Nicole said with all sincerity. “I actually meant no harm.”
    â€œIt’s okay,” said Alexis.
    On the spur of the moment, Nicole playfully forced Myles to stand in front of Hayley.
    â€œDo you know who this cute little baby is?” she asked him.
    â€œNicole—” Rashad interrupted.
    â€œIf we all are going to be around each other in the future, then it has to be done,” she answered. “Myles, this darling little girl is your baby sister. I guess that makes me her future stepmom.”
    â€œHey, wait a minute,” Alexis protested.
    â€œThat’s the problem,” Nicole continued. “There is too much ‘waiting’ and not enough ‘doing’ when it comes to this situation. Now I may not necessarily like that my man has a bunch of kids. But it is what it is. And at this point no one should give two squats about how this baby got here. The issue is that she exists and if people don’t like it, they can kick rocks.”
    â€œNicole,” Alexis said, her voice shaking. “It wasn’t your job to do something like that. I don’t need you to do that.”
    â€œI know. But if the people who are supposed to do their job don’t, it gets delegated to someone else—someone who’s not afraid to tell the truth.” Nicole ignored the vicious stare Alexis gave her. Then she bent down until she was eye level with Myles.
    â€œDid you know Hayley was related to you, son?”
    â€œUm, a little bit. I heard about her but never really got to meet her.”
    â€œWell, this is your opportunity to get to