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!”

your mind–it’s one of the top

flickering across her face. “Kelly went to Bell University? How come I’ve never even heard of

out a snort and gave Wendy

a whole world out there you haven’t even seen, sweetheart. Try getting out

was being rude–after just one

No one even said a word

replied coolly, “One of Kelly’s lapdogs. You can call him a

said, feigning sudden realization, the irritation vanishing from her face. “Well, that explains it. No wonder he’s

Chapter 9

+25 BONUS

before he could fire back, Sharon gave him

Don’t tell me you’re

everything that had

handle a little ribbing

nodded mildly. “Be nice. He’s clearly not used to the real

slowest among them could tell now–they were being called out. Their words

nothing. Well, he’s pitiful enough–I won’t bother lowering myself to his level.

small nod and turned

crack.

around at

them let out a dry chuckle, trying to recover the moment. “Man, those two women must be tired of living. Calling Nate a

froze on his

were… weren’t

a

“No, no–Nate isn’t a simp! He’s… he’s like a

latched on fast. “Yeah, totally!

a soft voice

out here instead of

around and saw a man and

kind of arrogance. The

moment Nate saw them, his whole face lit

falling into step beside them, voice already rising with drama. He

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 imagine that–running around

bet it’s because she’s too free these days. Nothing better to do but fool around. She used to make one medicinal meal

sense of duty