Side Chick Era... Over

Loving Mom 9

Chapter 9

Sharon turned her head and saw a young man approaching with a few rowdy friends in tow. He walked with the kind of swagger that came from never being challenged–arrogant, untamed, and always playing to an audience.

She recognized him instantly.

Nate Hendricks. One of Carter’s bros, and one of Kelly’s many.

orbiters.

From the very beginning of Sharon’s relationship with Carter, Nate had looked down on her–mocking her at every turn, never missing a chance to sneer. After Kelly came back, he was the most eager to stir things up, practically acting as Kelly’s personal messenger.

If Kelly so much as sneezed, Nate would be the first to call Carter, urging him to rush over. He’d even told Sharon more than once that she should step aside and make room for Kelly.

Now, he stood in front of her, a smirk tugging at his lips, eyes gleaming with ridicule.

“Well, welk Shouldn’t a housewife be home learning how to be a good little full–time wife–how to keep her man from straying? What are you doing here, showing your face in public? That’s not exactly the mark of a good housewife.”

Sharon could host a formal dinner or make a perfect bowl of soup–graceful in the parlor, capable in the kitchen. She was so flawless that it was almost irritating.

Once Nate found out, he’d slapped a nickname on her-“Housewife.”

And from that point on, everyone in Carter’s circle followed suit. Whenever they saw her, they called her that.

His tone now was deliberately grating, his posture smug. Wendy’s brows drew together in a frown.

Sharon’s expression chilled.

Nate, far from backing off, let out a low whistle and looked at her with mock alarm.

“Oh no, don’t tell me you’re mad again? Come on, Housewife. Don’t tell me you can’t even take a joke?”

His buddies jumped in immediately.

“Yeah, seriously. You’re Carter’s wife–you’re supposed to be gracious. Don’t be so petty, you’re making him look bad!”

“And really, Nate’s not wrong. You are just a housewife, aren’t you? Taking care of the husband and kid.”

“Exactly! How could someone like you even compare to Kelly? She graduated from Bell University!”

blow your mind–it’s one of the top five music

turned sharply toward Sharon, surprise flickering across her face. “Kelly went to Bell University? How come

let out a snort and gave

ignorance. There’s a whole world out there you haven’t

was being rude–after

this guy? Why is he so obnoxious? No one even said a word to him, and he just inserted himself into the conversation like some

Kelly’s lapdogs. You can

irritation vanishing from her face. “Well, that explains it. No wonder he’s so

Chapter 9

+25 BONUS

darkened, but before he could fire back, Sharon

was just teasing. Don’t tell me you’re the one who

had just happened, caught Sharon’s tone and immediately played

a little ribbing That’s so weak.

He’s clearly not used to the real world. Let’s not stoop to

among them could tell now–they were

laughed mockingly. “Lick, lick, lick, and in the end, the lapdog gets nothing. Well, he’s pitiful enough–I won’t bother lowering

a small nod

might crack. He stared after them like he’d

glanced around at

women must be tired of living. Calling

sentence froze on

words were… weren’t they

seem a bit

caught on quick and jumped in. “No, no–Nate isn’t a simp! He’s… he’s like a knight. A loyal protector

others latched on fast. “Yeah, totally! A protector! Guardian of

a soft voice

you doing out here instead

turned around and saw a man and

calm kind of arrogance. The woman beside

moment Nate saw them, his whole

into step beside them, voice already rising with drama. He began spinning his version

Kelly–you won’t believe who I just saw. Sharon! She’s actually here. And get this, she was saying she came out to have fun. Just

better to do but fool around. She used to

no sense of duty or virtue–you