“Thank you,” I whisper back, thankful Owen had the balls to do what I’d be dreading.
“But I want to make something so perfectly clear that you never question it. So that when your doubts creep into your mind, you can reference this exact moment for peace and clarity. Okay?”
I look at him, nodding.
“There is zero doubt in my mind, heart, and soul that you are what I want. Rosie is what I want. My entire life I’ve been looking for something worth sticking around for, and last July when I met you, it felt like I’d finally found that. And every day since then, nothing has changed. I’m giving up nothing by being with you, but gaining everything. Do you understand me, Lottie?”
His voice is firm, full of conviction and passion. Full of love.
“I finally fucking understand. I’m so sorry I was so cruel,” I tell him through shaky sobs, hoping he puts me out of my misery soon.
Finally, a small smile drifts across his face. “It’s in the past. We’re only moving forward.”
He pulls me into him, his mouth crashing against mine. His tongue explores every inch of my own, my hand automatically grabbing his hair for support. He bends down and his hands slide under my legs, then lift me so I can wrap them around his waist.
“I want you to move in,” I say before going in for another kiss.
“I’ll pack my shit tomorrow,” he says, then bites my bottom lip.
“Good.”
I continue to ravage him as he walks us down the hall to my room.
Correction.
Our room.
“Are you okay?” Owen asks as we exit the train, our fingers locked together. My bag sits heavily on my shoulders, the legal papers Owen got from Sarah, his coworker Amanda’s wife, inside.
Yep, that Sarah whom I followed him with. Turns out she was looking into getting Beck to sign his rights away for me.
“I am,” I confirm quickly as we exit the station into the cobbled streets of Glasgow. It’s been years since I’ve been here and hopefully this will be the last time.
After much discussion and speaking with Evie, I decided it was best to go see Beck myself. He’d ignored all my attempts at contact, and I was over waiting.
We head to the pub I know he’s currently working at, the smell of beer and cigarettes lingering in the stale air. It’s no Saint Street, I will say that much.
It’s not hard to spot Beck. His tight leather jacket, probably a size too tight now that I think about it, is his dead giveaway. I look down at my own attire, my bleach-blonde hair back to its normal self. It’s not hard to see why so many people used to call us Sid and Nancy.
Now that I’m older, the names don’t seem so exciting.
“That him?” Owen asks, clearly seeing where my gaze has landed. I nod, unsure of what he’s probably thinking. Beck’s fit for sure, his sandy-colored hair and charming smile a draw. But next to Owen? Nah, he doesn’t stand a chance.
“Let’s get this over with,” I say, beginning the walk to my ex.
A girl with raven hair sits next to him, both of them having a few beers. She notices me first, shoving Beck with her arm before he turns around.
From the sight of him you’d think I was a ghost. I guess I am in some respects.
“Jesus Christ, Lottie?” His face pinches together as though he can’t believe it.
I pull out the envelope and a pen, then place them on the only spare space on the table.
“Let’s skip the pleasantries, shall we, Beck?”
A soft chuckle comes from Owen and I grin on the inside.
“You need to sign over your parental rights and you need to do it now.”
“You’ve got a kid?” the girl screeches.
I look at him expectantly, his face fifty shades of red.
“I don’t have all day, Beck.” I tap my foot for added measure.
“So, what, I sign this and what happens?”
“You relinquish all legal rights to my little girl. I don’t want you having a come-to-Jesus moment years down the line and trying to take her from me. You had a chance—hell, you’ve had over a year—and you didn’t care then, so why care now?”
“What, are you gonna take me to court?”
“Sign the papers and we don’t need to. But I’m warning you, Beck, you don’t, and I’ll come for child support and you’re not going to like how much that is.”
I’m bluffing. I don’t want shit from him, but he doesn’t need to know that. Beck is cheap, always has been.
“Fine, fine, that’s good then,” he says as he grabs the pen and hastily signs all areas. “If you promise you won’t try to come after me, that’s fine.”
The girl next to him scoffs before grabbing her purse and walking away. Yep, he’s not such a prize after all, sweetheart.
I want to reach out and strangle him. Not once has he asked about her, only worried I might make him pay, literally. Piece of shit.
I want to go back in time and kick the younger Lottie who only cared about being in love and having fun with him. But then I wouldn’t have Rosie, so I guess some bad things happen for a reason.
“I don’t want anything from you ever again, Beck. In fact, I hope this is the last time I ever have to set eyes on you.” I snatch the papers off the table, careful to not let them get ruined by the little wet spots from his beer.
“We had some great times together, Lottie. It’s a shame it had to go bad,” he says, his gaze doing a once-over on my body.
I snort. “If by good times you mean cheating on me for a year and leaving me knocked up and alone, then yeah, they were great.”
I shake my head and mumble “wanker” under my breath.
“Who’s that?” he says, motioning his head to Owen but not addressing him.
“I’m
