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“I didn’t want to tell anyone, but…” He pulled out his phone, scrolled to something, and passed it to me. “Look.”
I already had half an idea what this was about—Briggs was dating all over the place, and I’d seen his social media—but the photo Fox showed me was of Briggs, with his current partner and her children. In the article, my ex never once mentioned Fox. Even so, all it took was an internet search and Fox Lewiston was front and center. “Why did he call me Fox? Jeez, I wish my name wasn’t so different that it stands out,” Fox grumbled. “I don’t want people here to hate me like they do at the academy.”
“They won’t.”
“You can’t say that.”
Considering the assholes-in-training who went to Grovewood, comparing them to the kids that Fox was making friends with now, I was sure I was right. But then, kids could be cruel, whatever their school. My heart ached for what my son had to go through, and the things he might have thrown at him.
“Remember, you’re not responsible for your father’s mistakes, Fox. You’re your own person, with your own talents, and I’m sure that Clarke and Ainsley won’t hate you.”
“They might, if they think I’ve lied to them.” Fox looked at me, his gaze searching for reassurance. Briggs was a thousand miles away, removed from the life we were building here; yet he was still messing up Fox’s life.
“You haven’t lied,” I said.
Fox smiled, a small, but brave, smile. “What do I do, Dad?”
“Tell them. They’re good kids. If you trust them, tell them. Then enjoy your baseball.”
He nodded. “I just want to play because I’m good at it, y’know. I wouldn’t be playing forhim.” I watched him take another bite of his lasagna. Fox was good at baseball, so damn good. “I’ll need stuff for next Monday’s practice.” He reached into his pocket for a list, and I scanned it briefly. “Can we afford it?”
“Of course,” I lied and thanked the heavens for credit.
“Can we order it tonight?”
“Sure we can.”
“And you’re sure we have the money?”
“Easily,” I lied.
“And I want to tell Clarke and Ainsley.”
“That’s good.” I hated that this was even a thing for Fox. It wasn’t as if I was running around telling people who my ex was, or what he’d done. All it would take was one person to mention Briggs Lewiston’s name, then Fox and I would be the center of attention again.
Maybe weshouldtell all the people around us?
It wasn’t as if Briggs’s influence would reach us in the middle of Wyoming.
“Tomorrow? After school? Can they come back here?”
“Of course they can.”
“For food?” he added with a hopeful smile.
Cooking and creating for three ravenous teenagers—yeah, that would be easy. “Sure.”
* * *
The next day,Fox had Clarke and Ainsley here, and just before they arrived, he asked me to stay longer while he spoke to his friends. But in no way was I allowed to hover, only I should stay close, but not too close. In the end, I perched on a stool at the back, being there for Fox, but not obtrusively.
It was freaking complicated being a dad.
I was on my phone, playing a card matching game when my social media alert told me Briggs was in the media again.
He and his girlfriend had been spotted arguing in a restaurant, and she’d left.
Go girlfriend.
