Free Cherished (Wanted) by Kelly Elliott Page A

off.”
    Ari walked past me and went to reach for Luke, but Mark held up his hand.
    “Your mother wanted to bring the kids home with us. Maybe you could pick them up tomorrow evening?”
    Ari stopped dead in her tracks. “You want to take both kids…for the night? Why?”
    Mark laughed. “Because I hardly ever get to see them, and Matthew needs to spend some time with them. Grace is growing up too fast. It would be nice to just spend some time with Luke and Grace. Matthew would love it.”
    Ari turned and looked at me. She smiled the biggest smile I’d ever seen. Before she turned back, she put on a serious face.
    “Oh, I don’t know, Daddy. Are you sure y’all want them both? I mean, we could come first thing in the morning.”
    Mark turned and looked at me. Daggers could have been coming out of his eyes with how he was staring at me.
    “I’m sure your husband wouldn’t mind some time with his wife—seeing as how he feels the need to sneak you down to a barn for some…alone time.”
    I just smiled and made a mental note to make sure my life insurance was up to date.
    “Well…if you don’t think it would be too much trouble?” Ari said.
    “Trouble? My grandchildren? Never . Y’all just plan on having lunch at our place tomorrow. Your mother is already putting Grace in her car seat as we speak.”
    Ari put her hands on her hips and tilted her head. “What if I had said no? What if I didn’t want the kids to leave for the night?”
    Mark laughed as he threw his head back. “Please…Miss Polka-Dot Panties, I know better.”
    He turned and walked away as Ari’s face turned ten shades of red.
    I walked down the stairs and stopped next to Ari. “Yep, I’m gonna say your dad saw you grinding on me.” I followed Mark to his car, and then I looked back at a stunned Ari.
    I couldn’t help but laugh as I ran to catch up with Mark, so I could say good-bye to the kids.
    Oh yeah, I’m gonna make sure my wife gets that warm and happy fucked feeling back tonight…and more than once.

“I’m about to lose my goddamn mind, Drake,” I said as I paced back and forth.
    Christmas was in three days, and no one had heard from Jessie.
    “Scott, I came over to tell you that I got a postcard from her today.”
    I stopped dead in my tracks. “What? Where is she? Is she okay? Who’s she with? Did she say when she was coming home?”
    Drake held up his hands and started to shake his head. “Scott…settle down. I know you want to know the answers to all those questions, so here you go.” He reached out and handed me a postcard.
    I took it from his hand.
    He said, “Read it for yourself. She pretty much just says that she’s fine.”
    My heart skipped a beat when I recognized her handwriting. I looked at where it was stamped. Florida? She’s in Florida! I tried to keep the tears from falling as I began to read what she had written.

    I slowly sat down on the sofa as I let the postcard fall out of my hand.
    I’ve met a friend. He’s been a real support for me. He’s helping me get over Scott.
    Oh my god, she’s met someone else. She’s with another man.
    Drake sat down next to me and put his hand on my shoulder. “Now, Scott, don’t go jumping to conclusions. She said he was a friend, that’s all.”
    “Oh god, she’s with another man. She left me, and she’s with another man in God knows where.” I stood and started pacing.
    My phone began ringing, and when I pulled it out of my pocket, I saw that it was Chelsea. She’d been calling for the last week.
    Fucking bitch. I hate you!
    I threw my phone as hard as I could against the wall. I looked around for something else to throw, and I saw a picture of Jessie and me. I walked over, picked it up, and threw it. I didn’t know what was happening, but I just snapped and started throwing everything I could get my hands on.
    The next thing I knew, Drake and Aaron were both holding me back, and I felt my knees slowly giving out.
    I lost her. I lost the only girl