Page 46 of Billion Dollar Dispute
“What’s in the bag?” I ask Chad when he sits down.
“Cookies,” he beams.
“You’re going to hear about it when he gets a stomach ache,” I mumble to Harvey.
Harvey pokes my side playfully, and I flinch at the unexpected touch. “I got you one too. I figured you needed some cheering up.”
“And a cookie is going to do that?”
“Of course. Sugar makes everyone happy,” Harvey replies with a grin.
“You don’t look like you know what that is,” I murmur under my breath, and I sound jealous of him. And it’s because I am. I’d like to have a nicer body, but minimal money means lack of food and exercise. I can’t afford the gym, nor do I have the time. When am I expected to go? I bet he goes early in the morning or after work. I don’t have the luxury to do that; I have Chad to worry about.
I’d love to have his money, to make this a weekly thing for Chad, so he could grow up with the best memories of me. And it’s not just Harvey’s money that I’m envious of, but his age and intelligence. At his age, he seems to have life figured out in ways that took me decades to. I’m forty-two and feel like I’ve wasted so much time. I stayed with my husband because I loved him, but I gave him all my power, and now that I think about it, I should’ve learned how to manage my bills, money, and life. I’m starting over and I feel stupid.
“Nice that you take notice of me,” he says before wrapping his lips around the straw. And, of course, he looks so hot doing that too.
“I didn’t mean that,” I retort, even though his body doesn’t look like he eats much sugar. I felt the muscles, not just the one between his thighs.
We drink our shakes in silence. I’m surprised it’s not as awkward as I thought it would be. Chad has welcomed Harvey with open arms, and that worries me. He’s not going to be in Chad's life. The job will be done, and we will both move on. He’ll forget about us. And I can’t blame him, but I need to protect us from the potential heartbreak.
Once we finish our shakes, Chad holds the bag of untouched cookies, saving them for later.
We slowly walk home, and I let Chad soak up the last few minutes of his outing with Harvey.
When we arrive at the steps of the apartment complex, Chad speaks up.
“I wish I had someone like you to play with all the time,” he says, longing evident in his voice. It makes my chest ache.
And before I can respond, Harvey interjects with an offer, “I can. Just tell your mom to call me.”
I shoot him daggers.Asshole.Using my kid to call him is a low blow.
“We might be busy,” I say.
“Doing what?” Harvey asks, but the grin he’s wearing shows he knows I’m trying to avoid him.
“Working.”
“You don’t work all the time,” he challenges.
I know Chad is hanging on to every word. So I sigh. I can’t let my own feelings get in the way of Chad’s happiness no matter how I feel about Harvey. “I’ll call you when he asks.”
“Good. Now, thanks Chad for a good day,” Harvey says.
“Do you want to come in and play the Switch or Legos?” Chad offers.
Alarm bells ring in my ear. I’ve had enough of him with us for today. I’m twisted up from him, and I just need a second alone to breathe.
“I can’t today, maybe next time,” Harvey says.
He probably has a girlfriend to visit.
“Where are you going?” Chad asks.
“Chad, that’s enough,” I say.
Harvey smiles at Chad. “It’s fine. I’m going to my grams’ house. I have dinner with her on Sundays.”
