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Even though I’m on my way to Hannah’s dance performance and I’m meeting Tess there, I call to give her the good news from Benton.
“Are you serious? That’s awesome!” She puts a hand over the phone, her voice muffled as she relays the news to Cam. “Hey, how close are you? I’m saving you a seat.”
I glance at the map on my car’s navigation system. “I’ll be there in five minutes.”
“Perfect. See you soon.”
“Bye, babe.”
If he shows up, I’m meeting Tess’s ex today. I’ll be polite, even though I’d like to ask him what the fuck is wrong with him.
Tess took Zane and Hannah to see him a couple of nights ago, and even though they spent time at a restaurant with him from five to seven, all he bought them was drinks. They both came home hungry and Tess made them some pizza.
It’s good that he’s showing interest in them, but Hannah’s been reserved about it. She was so young when her dad left that she doesn’t remember him as well as Zane does.
Zane’s been talking nonstop about his dad’s new job and how great it is. How he’s so busy and in demand that he hasn’t been able to take a day off until now. I play along, but it’s a bunch of bullshit.
Good dads show up. Tess was stressed out when she came home the night Nick came to the diner, and I’m not a fan of anyone who upsets her.
When I get to the high school where the performance is being held, I park and walk inside, following signs to the gym.
Tess is waving at me from the second row on one side of the bleachers and I wave back, heading her way.
Someone steps in my path, blocking it. “You Dominic Locke?”
He’s lanky, his hair longish and his beard unkempt, which is exactly how Tess described Nick.
“Yeah, who’s asking?”
“I’m Nick Miller.”
I dislike him immediately, which is no surprise. He’s glaring at me, trying to look intimidating. But I want to be a bigger man. I extend my hand.
“Hey Nick, good to meet you.”
He doesn’t shake my hand. Instead, he keeps staring me down like we’re about to box or something.
“I’m going to sit down,” I say.
“I’m not okay with you moving Tess and the kids into your fancy house. They’ve already got a dad.”
I scoff softly, wanting to ask him where the fuck he was when a crazy guy came into Tess’s house. But this is a high school gym. I’m here for Hannah’s performance. I’d never embarrass her by getting into a fight here.
At the same time, I won’t let Nick get away with this shit, either.
“Tess doesn’t need your permission. Get out of my way.”
He stares at me for a few seconds and then Tess arrives, linking her arm through mine.
“Hey babe, let’s sit down.”
Nick does a half lunge at me, seeing if he can make me react.
“The fuck’s your problem?” I say. “Go sit down and watch your daughter.”
“My problem is you trying to be my kids’ dad.”
His eyes are bloodshot, and I shake my head. “Have you been drinking?”
