All Chapters of The Texas Mutiny Series: Chapter 121 - Chapter 130

228 Chapters

Chapter 121: Santos, Part 1

I know a lot of guys who have psycho ex-wives. I've heard the horror stories… always taking them back to court for more child support even when they're going above and beyond. Not working together on a schedule to see the kids, even when the job requires two-week road trips. Showing up at their apartments unannounced and throwing a fit if they're entertaining. That shit happens all the time.But my Mari isn't like that. Even after we were first separated, when she refused to speak to me for over a month, she's never been unreasonable. She told me what she needed to pay the bills and has never asked for a penny more. If I want to talk to the kids, I text her and they Facetime or Skype almost immediately. And she works visitation around my work schedule.So as far as ex's go, I've got the best one. But that doesn't mean I like it.I don't want Mari to be an ex. I want her to be my current. My forever. She's been my best friend for over ten years, and I miss her desperately. I miss her sm

Last Updated : 2022-10-20

Chapter 122: Santos, Part 2

I close my eyes and swallow hard, letting my shame wash over me. She's right. I should have. And I didn't. And now we're here. And it sucks."Daddy, Daddy, Daddy!" I open my eyes, throwing a smile on my face and squatting down as my two girls come racing into the room and jumping into my arms."Oh, my girls!" I kiss them all over their faces and dig my fingers into their ribs, tickling them. "I missed you girls so much.""Daddy, Mommy got me some princess flip-flops. See?" Myra shoves her foot in my face, almost falling over in the process. "Oh, they're so nice," I say in that exaggerated response most parents use when their kids get excited about the small things in life."Me, too, Daddy." Lina just points at her feet instead of trying for balance."Look at that! One Elsa, one Anna. So you don't get them mixed up." They nod excitedly, thrilled that I understand the concept of keeping their things separated. "They are beautiful. But I think maybe we should wear our runners today since

Last Updated : 2022-10-20

Chapter 123: Mariana

"No really, Mom. We're doing fine." I plop myself down on the couch and prop my feet up on the coffee table. "Theo is sleeping better, and since we don't have a lot of team functions to go to, things have really slowed down.""I know," my mom complains through the phone. "It just feels weird to not be there every month to help out. I kind of miss it."I smile. My mom has tried really hard to not overwhelm me since the separation, and I love her for it. As much as it's uncomfortable, I need to figure out how to be a single mom on my own.Santos provides well - really well. But I never expected anything less from him. He was born to be a father. Frankly, he was born to be a husband, too. He really is the best husband. Except for the whole sleeping with anyone on two legs thing. That's just not something any spouse can come back from."Mom, you are welcome to come anytime. You know that."She sighs. "So you don't mind if I come stay next month? It doesn't even have to be a full week. A w

Last Updated : 2022-10-20

Chapter 124: Santos, Part 1

I love taking my kids to the zoo. Watching their little faces light up when we see their favorite animals is truly one of the small joys in life. Myra loves the elephants. She could stay here all day watching them lumber around and play. Her giggles when they roll around in mud make everyone else giggle.Lina, on the other hand, loves the lions. Today, we got lucky. There's been a lion leaning right up against the glass in the downstairs part of the enclosure. Myra won't go near him, but Lina keeps looking at him with her hand on the glass like she wants to pet him. She is so intrigued. The pictures of her face right next to the lion's turn out amazing. I can't wait to show Mari.But the funniest part of the day is the orangutans. There is only one who ventures into the outdoor part of the enclosure today. A female who, according to the information card, has never had a baby but really wants one. As soon as we strolled up to the window, she sees Theo's stroller and lumbers her way ou

Last Updated : 2022-10-20

Chapter 125: Santos, Part 2

The rage runs through me as I think of what her dating means. She's so fucking beautiful. She's kind. She's generous. She's always putting others before herself. And some other asshole is going to see how great she is and sweep her off her feet.I realize I'm stepping on the gas a little too hard and back my foot off. I'm so angry, but my kids are still in the car. I won't put them in danger.Even if my heart feels like it's being ripped out of my chest.When we get to the apartment, I make a decision. I can't talk to Mari about this. First of all, I don't know if it's true. Second, with how angry she still is at me, there is no way that conversation will go well. I don't want to fight with her about it in front of the kids. I want to grab her phone and smash it to pieces, but I won't do that either. I knock once on the apartment door and the girls throw it open, barreling their way inside as they chatter about their day.Mari greets them with a smile and tries to keep up with the co

Last Updated : 2022-10-20

Chapter 126: Mariana

Marcus whistles softly. "You sure clean up nice when you get yourself out of those yoga pants."I shoot him a disapproving look as I finish applying my blush and grab my flat iron again."I'll have you know, I wore jeans most of the day today.""Ooh! You're stepping up your game.""Ha. Ha. Actually, I had to go grocery shopping and didn't feel like looking like a total schlump."He plops himself down on my bed, a newly dyed purple Mohawk flopping to one side, and watches me finish getting ready. I don't particularly care to have a bathroom vanity in between the bathroom and my master closet. It's seriously outdated. But it comes in handy when I'm trying to primp and I need to hear the kids. Or talk to my next-door neighbor."Well I think you look fantastic." He looks around. "Your room, however, is a disaster.""I couldn't find anything to wear," I say, as I clip a section of my hair up and out of my way. "I haven't been on a date in over a decade.""I just find it interesting that the

Last Updated : 2022-10-20

Chapter 127: Santos

I love poker night with the guys. I would love it more if it was planned ahead and not impromptu.It's always at Daniel's place, so when I got the call a little while ago, I texted Mari to see if I could swing by and see the kids first. She never responded. That's unusual, but it's possible she went to bed early. As every parent knows, it's best to sleep when the kids sleep.Still, I'm disappointed and a little agitated she didn't answer. I miss my kids something fierce, and it would have been nice to see them, even if it was just to tuck them into bed. Not to mention, I'm still angry over the dating app thing. Hopefully some beer and whiskey will take the edge off my irritation."Is this a farewell poker night?" Christian asks Daniel, as we unfold the table in the middle of the room. "No more cigars and whiskey once Quincy and the baby move in right?""Quincy's moving in?" This is news to me. "When?""Yeah, man," Daniel confirms while pulling more of the night's supplies out of cabine

Last Updated : 2022-10-20

Chapter 128: Mariana, Part 1

"So how old are your kids?" Tom asks me from across the table. We're sitting at Texas Roadhouse, a high energy, loud steakhouse chain that can be found all over Houston. It's the only place I've ever been that gives you buckets of peanuts to eat before your meal and actually wants you to throw the shells on the floor. It's messy, but fun. And their rolls are to die for so when Tom suggested it, I knew I was game."Five, three, and one," I say, as I glance over the menu. It's been so long since I've been here, it's hard to decide what to eat. "Wow. You have your hands full." Tom puts his menu down and leans forward on the table. His clear green eyes are really kind. He has dark hair with a little gray mixed in. Not a lot, but enough to make him look distinguished. "I remember when my kids were that age. They ran me ragged every day, and I was only home for a few hours because of work."I smile at him. In person, he is almost exactly like he is on line. Kind and inquisitive. Asks lots o

Last Updated : 2022-10-20

Chapter 129: Mariana, Part 2

"What's wrong?" Tom asks."I don't know. It doesn't sound like the battery. I hope it's not the transmission.""Here, hop out and let me try. I'm not great with cars, but I might be able to tell you if we'll be able to adjust something for a quick fix tonight."We switch spots and he tries again to get my car to work. After a few minutes, he turns to me. "I think you may have to call a tow truck in the morning. That's definitely not the battery.""Shit," I grumble under my breath. "Is there anyone you can call to come pick you up?"For a minute, I run through the list of people. Marcus and Santos are pretty much it. Marcus, of course, has the kids, and Santos… well, I need to not call Santos. He's not in my life anymore as a partner, so I need to not turn to him the very first time I run into a problem."There's really not. I can take a cab, but I just live ten minutes from here. Do you think you could drop me off? I wouldn't normally ask, but…""No, no! It's fine. I was going to offe

Last Updated : 2022-10-20

Chapter 130: Santos

It's been two weeks since I saw her outside the apartment with that guy. That guy she was on a date with. Thinking about it still makes me feel like there's an animal clawing at my chest. It hurts so badly to know she was out with another man. The shit of it all is it may have been the first time I actually understood the kind of hurt I made her feel. I always knew how badly I had damaged her, but I never really had anything to compare it to. I guess I couldn't really fathom how it made her feel.I can fathom it now, and it's awful.I went home that night and cried. No, that's not right. I wept. Like a fucking baby. I wept for the loss of my wife. I wept for the loss of my children. I wept for the loss of the life I loved. In a weird way, I wept for the loss of myself. I don't know why it didn't occur to me that I was living a weird double life. What is wrong with me that I could so easily push down the guilt every time I did it? I don't even know where to begin with fixing it, and th

Last Updated : 2022-10-20

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