A Convenient Marriage

Chapter 1

Miriam

“You sure you have everything you need?”

I ask for who-knows-how-many-times already, but my son, Jay, the sweetest boy any mother could ever ask for, just smiles and puts up with me patiently.

“Yes, Mom, I’m sure,” he looks away, biting his lip, knowing full well he’s making fun of my fussing.

Both of us look toward the door when we hear the familiar beep of Terry’s car.

“Father’s here,” Jay murmurs as he adjusts his backpack.

I suck in a breath and school my features, forcing a smile before turning to Jay. I see a flicker of hesitation cross his face for a moment, but it happened so fast, I might have imagined it. I just shrug it off.

I open the door, refusing to look at the smug bastard, as I watch Jay get into the car. When our eyes meet, I smile and give him a wave. But before he can respond, the door closes and Terry Colton, my ex-boyfriend and Jay’s father, comes into view.

I frown at his rudeness which then turns into a scowl as he gives me a smile. When he blows me a kiss while getting into his car and driving away, I swear I can feel my hackles rising. The nerve!

With a shudder, I turn and trudge back into the house, trying to straighten a few things out before my own ride arrives.

My story with Terry Colton is a closed book. Ripped, burned and buried, never to be opened or read again.

Once upon a time, I fell in love－or thought I did－to the bastard. The fact that he left me when I was six months pregnant with Jay to marry his boss’s daughter for money, who he then divorced soon after, is more than enough of a slap in the face to make my fantasies turn into reality pretty quickly.

Recently though, he’s been trying to get closer to me again, subjecting me to the same charming treatment I once fell for. Fortunately, I’m not the same stupid girl who ate up those fake sweet nothings like candy. I do believe in second chances but for Terry, I will happily make an exception.

I can’t believe the douchebag has the guts to try and get me back after leaving me and Jay in the lurch in the past. I don’t even think he feels shame from what he’s done. He’s just so smug and confident I’ll fall back into his arms.

I want to gag. Hell will freeze over before that happens, I assure you.

If he left me for money while carrying his child that easily, he can totally do it again with no difficulty. I won’t spend my life waiting for him to drop me like a hot potato the moment another slut with deep pockets comes along.

Truth be told, I’m thankful he left me. It made me see what a spineless, worthless dick he is.

As much as I don’t want to be associated with someone like Terry, I should put on my big girl panties and plaster on a brave face for Jay’s sake. No matter how I detest being in the same place as Terry, he’s still Jay’s father, and I will endure everything for my son.

Aside from Jay and sharing custody, I never want to have anything to do with Terry Colton. Personal or otherwise.

Another familiar beeping slams me back to the now, and while the first sent shivers down my spine along with an urge to run for the hills, this particular beep soothes my frazzled nerves.

With a big, genuine smile on my lips, I open the door, and lock it before hurrying to get into Vic’s car.

“So what’s cookin’, good-lookin’?” he teases the moment I settle into my seat beside him, putting on my seat belt.

“Between the two of us, you’re the cook, not me so I should be asking you that question,” I smile and glance at his smiling face.

Vic Andrews is my best friend and it seems we’ve been together forever. At least that’s what it feels like. We’ve known each other since we became our neighbors when I was eleven and he was fifteen. We’ve been best friends ever since, and I’m really grateful to have him in my life.

He always had my back as we were growing up. He saved me from the bullies at school and we helped each other with homework. He even took me to prom when I thought no one would ask me out.

And, more importantly, he was with me when I got pregnant and Terry left me. He was by my side when I gave birth and he never missed a day with me and Jay even though we’re adult enough to lead completely separate lives.

He is my rock and my strength, and as much as I appreciate having him with us, I hope we aren’t being a burden to him or slowing him down from getting on with his own life.

He’s very good-looking with his signature slicked back undercut hairstyle, which I love messing up, that aquiline nose I’ve always envied, hooded hazel eyes and expressive bushy brows that have always beckoned to countless women when we were growing up. His thin lips always quirk up into a smile and tantalize people.

I shake my head at my observation.

Bottom line is — I’ve made my peace regarding any love and romance in my life. I have Jay and I’m content. Vic, on the other hand... he won’t have any trouble finding someone to date, but I just fear that being around Jay and me so much will ruin his chances at love for himself.

The thought of him moving on without us doesn’t sit well with me and a sour taste settles on my stomach. I blame it on the stress of having to face Terry so early in the morning.

“Hey, what’s wrong?”

I startle from my musings and laugh nervously. Some trips down memory lane can lead to forks on the road and I always wind up on the wrong path.

“It’s Monday…” I just say in explanation.

Vic nods in understanding as he starts the car and begins to drive me to my small dance school.

Other than Jay, my dance studio is my pride and joy.

It serves as my outlet whenever Jay is away with his father. It helps with the loneliness and the emptiness whenever my son isn’t around. Plus, it makes me happy giving my students the same outlet, relieving them from the stress of their everyday lives.

It’s actually just a few blocks away from home and I don’t mind walking, but Vic insists on picking me up and taking me there. The last time I walked without him, he didn’t come to the house when Jay asked him to, and I had to deal with a grumpy five-year-old as punishment. Let’s just say that never happened again.

“Guess Terry-cloth is being an ass again?” Vic suddenly pipes up.

At the mention of the nickname Vic baptized my ex, I choke on a laugh, and the feeling of safety and comfort washes over me again.

“Yeah, you should have seen how creepy he was acting. Can you imagine? After all he’s done to me and Jay, he has the nerve to blow me a kiss? What an asshat. I wish there’s something I can do to finally get him out of my hair,” I rant, shaking my head at the memory of Terry’s ridiculousness.

I look out the window, my eyes not really seeing the houses we’re passing. I imagine how easy my life would be when I’m finally free of Terry.

But that would probably not happen since severing ties with him could hurt Jay. The last thing I want to do is hurt my baby boy.

If keeping Jay happy means suffering the presence of his father, so be it.