Maybe Forever (Missing Pieces Book 1) Read Online Free Page B

months of the year away from my kid, or does that require a promotion?” Jamie asks.
    Aiden’s eyes narrow. “I see Dakota’s wit has rubbed off on you.”
    “It was inherited, actually,” Jamie says matter-of-factly.
    “Real funny. I’m not going to fight with you, Jamie.”
    “Good. Let’s just enjoy our dinner. Who knows when I’ll see you again?”
    Aiden sighs loudly at his son’s sarcasm.
    “I’m sorry,” Jamie says softly.
    “Me too,” Aiden replies.
     

 
     
     
     
     
     
     
     
    Chapter Four
     
     
    Jamie
     
    “ Mom …” Jamie throws his bag on the coffee table. “ Mom …” he calls again. He shrugs his shoulders and goes into the kitchen. He opens the fridge and shops for a few seconds and then closes it, not liking what he sees. When he walks back into the living room, he hears giggling from the top of the stairs. His eyebrows raise, and instead of announcing himself, he watches his mother come down the stairs, the smile on her face completely breathtaking.
    “Hey, Mom,” he says casually, and she jumps up almost to the ceiling.
    “Jamie!” She pushes him playfully. “What are you doing here?”
    “I live here,” Jamie says, looking at the stairs. “Is that Dakota up there?”
    Harper doesn’t answer him; she just walks toward the kitchen. Jamie follows her, almost going into a slow jog. “Mom, is Dakota in your bedroom?”
    “It’s none of your business who’s in my bedroom, Jamie,” she says, turning around abruptly. She tries to keep a straight face, but the grin on his face is too much for her to bear.
    “Did he stay here last night?” he says.
    Harper nods her head, her cheeks turning red.
    “Yes,” she says in a whisper.
    “Sweet!” he exclaims. Harper laughs.
    “Jamie,” she warns.
    “I’m sorry,” he says, laughing. “I’m just…what happened? Are you together?”
    Harper shakes her head.
    “Nothing happened,” she says. “He just stayed the night.”
    “Are you together?” Jamie asks again.
    “I’m not sure. We have to talk. Discuss some things.”
    Jamie nods his head. “Should I go? Do you need some alone time…?”
    Harper shakes her head. “No, no. I’m not going to run you out of your own home.” Jamie nods. She grabs a few waters from the refrigerator, and then they go into the living room. “Hey, what are you doing home, anyway? Your father said he was going to drop you off tomorrow morning…” Harper asks.
    “Oh,” he says, crossing his arms. “I just wanted to come home a little earlier.” Harper strokes his curly hair.
    “Is everything okay?” she says.
    Jamie sighs. “Yeah.”
    Harper presses her lips together. “I’m sorry he isn’t the kind of father you deserve.”
    Jamie flags her statement. “I got twice the mom and I got Dakota. I’m all set.”
    Dakota comes down the stairs and stops midway when he seems Jamie.
    “Hey, Jam,” he says. Jamie nods at him as he walks down the stairs and stands with him and his mom. “What are you, uh, doing home so early?”
    Jamie scratches his head, the smirk still on his face.
    “My dad and I had a fight, so I asked to come home early,” he replies.
    Dakota nods. He looks at Harper, and she chuckles slightly at his awkwardness.
    “I’m going to make us some breakfast…French toast?” Harper asks as she walks toward the kitchen.
    “Extra cinnamon,” they both say in unison, and Harper laughs. Once Harper is out of the room, Jamie turns to face Dakota.
    “Did your mom tell you?” Dakota asks softly.
    “That you stayed the night in her bed?” Jamie asks with a straight face.
    Dakota rubs his head, cupping his neck slightly. “Yes,” he says tightly.
    “Yup,” Jamie replies and then goes over to the sofa to watch television. Dakota joins him, sitting on the other end.
    “Do you want to talk about this?”
    Jamie searches through the channels casually. “Honestly, I don’t. I’d rather not know what you did. It’s sort of gross,” he says,