Chapter 192 Chapter 192 Fuckboy Application
I am glad I didn’t stay for the after-party last night. The sun is beating down on me now and I am absolutely not enjoying it. Vegas heat feels personal sometimes, like the air itself wants to fight you.
Constantine is out on the field stretching with his team. He plays soccer for the Bolts, a local youth league with around twenty-four teams. He’s really good too. Fast, smart, technical. I can take some credit for the technique because I spent years drilling discipline into him, but the raw talent? That comes from Ivan and his birth mother. Probably more from her than him, if I’m being honest.
I glance back toward the stands.
Auntie Gemma is late.
As usual.
At this point it would actually concern me if she arrived somewhere on time.
Ivan and Mason disappeared a few minutes ago with the girls after Cat decided she desperately needed ice cream immediately or the world would apparently end. They promised they’d be right back.
Last night still sits heavy in my head.
Ivan was so territorial.
So possessive.
Like all it took to get his attention again was another man looking at me.
I spent most of the exhibit talking to Mitch while Liam hovered nearby trying to flirt with me like he had all the time in the world. Ivan moved between us so fast it was almost comical. One second Liam was talking, the next Ivan had his arm around my waist, kissing my temple like he still owned the right.
Telling me he’d see me today at Constantine’s game.
Trying to mark territory that no longer belongs to him.
Asshole.
And Liam?
Liam just laughed.
Amused.
Like Ivan growling at him was entertaining.
I still left without giving him my number. I don’t need his chaos in my life. One emotionally unavailable beautiful man already ruined enough years of it.
A warm arm suddenly slides around my waist.
“You didn’t think I’d be interested because you have kids?”
I stiffen instantly.
Liam.
Of fucking course.
That could only be Gemma’s doing.
I swear that woman survives purely to create problems for me.
“I love kids,” Liam says casually.
I step away from him immediately, but he follows close enough that I can still smell his cologne. Expensive. Clean. Masculine without being overwhelming.
Dangerous scent.
“Which one is your son?” he asks.
I don’t answer.
Instead I look at him over my shoulder.
God damn him, he is hot.
It’s honestly irritating.
“Not talking? Okay.” He laughs softly. “You’re forcing my hand then.”
Before I can ask what the hell that means, Liam pulls off his baseball cap first, then his sunglasses.
The reaction is immediate.
Like bees to honey, every single teenage boy on the field turns toward us. Conversations stop. A few parents gasp. Someone near the bleachers actually says, “Holy shit.”
Constantine freezes mid-stretch.
Then his eyes land on me.
Something protective flashes across his face instantly before he starts jogging toward us.
Fast.
“Constantine?” Liam says as my son reaches us. “I’m—”
“My God, you’re Liam Devereux.”
Constantine cuts him off immediately, going full fanboy.
It’s honestly adorable.
All that suspicion disappears from his face for exactly three seconds while he stares at one of his sports idols standing in front of him.
Liam grins. “Your Aunt Gemma told me you had a game. I had to come see it.”
Constantine narrows his eyes at him immediately afterward though, clearly not fully buying the excuse. My son is way too smart for Liam’s bullshit.
“You’re trying to ask my mom out,” he says bluntly.
Shoot.
And sink.
I choke on a laugh while Liam actually looks caught off guard for once in his life.
Constantine shakes his head like he’s disappointed in both of us and jogs back toward the field.
“I like him,” Liam says, smiling.
“Mama!”
Cat and Kat come barreling toward me with melting ice cream cones in their tiny hands. Chocolate is dripping everywhere, all over their fingers and dresses.
I crouch down immediately, digging wipes out of my bag.
“Girls, slow down.”
Behind them, Mason and Ivan follow at a much calmer pace, both clearly having already lost the battle against sticky children and sugar.
Ivan notices Liam instantly.
His expression darkens so quickly it’s almost impressive.
Mason, meanwhile, looks between all of us and grins like this is the greatest entertainment he’s had all week.
“Come here, Cat,” Mason says, scooping one of the girls up easily. “Let Mom stand near the sideline before she starts screaming at the ref.”
“She yells a lot,” Kat informs Liam very seriously.
“I do not yell a lot,” I argue.
All three of them stare at me.
Traitors.
The girls immediately run back toward Mason while Ivan lingers behind for a second too long. His eyes never leave Liam.
“Ex-husband?” Liam asks quietly once Ivan finally walks away.
“Listen,” I say, turning fully toward him now. “I am not taking applications for fuckboy at the moment. I thought I made that clear last night.”
Liam places a dramatic hand over his chest. “I’m offended.”
“I’m serious.” I cross my arms. “I have three kids from two different men, a demanding career, and divorce papers that literally just finalized. I’m older than you.” I lean slightly closer. “And I own a vibrator that does the job just fine. So if you’re looking to get laid, I am absolutely positive there are a million other women willing to volunteer. I’m not interested.”
I turn my attention back toward the field.
For once, Liam doesn’t immediately joke.
“Who says I want a million other women?” he asks quietly.
That makes me look back at him.
His expression has changed completely.
Serious.
“Your painting captivated me,” he continues. “Every time I close my eyes, I see your blue eyes staring back at me.” His voice softens. “I just want to get to know you.”
The words hit somewhere uncomfortable.
Because that’s exactly where Ivan broke me.
The million other women part most of all.
Because that was Ivan.
I study Liam carefully now. Really look at him.
There’s no smirk.
No arrogance.
No humor.
Just sincerity.
Which somehow feels more dangerous.
“Fine,” I sigh finally. “You want to get to know me? Dinner. My place. Tonight.”
His entire face lights up.
Victory.
He pulls his phone from his pocket and hands it to me immediately.
“Text me later.” I type my number in before shoving the phone back against his chest. “Now get out of here. You’re causing a scene.”
Liam laughs.
“Hell no. I’m watching your son play.” He steps closer again, lowering his voice. “You’re not getting rid of me that easily.”
Then he smiles slowly.
“I fight for what I want.”
The words cut far deeper than they should