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“How pretty. Did Daddy paint them?” Theresa glances at me briefly, then her eyes fixate on Adley’s hair. She rolls her eyes and huffs.
“No. Harper did.” She smiles innocently at Theresa.
I let the two talk about colors, standing there like an idiot, unsure of what to do or how to act.
“And it’s movie night. Me, Mommy, and Daddy.”
I love Adley’s excitement, but right now, I wish she’d go back to the phone.
“That’s nice.” The strain in Theresa’s voice is obvious to me.
“And make our own pizza. Daddy, I want pepperoni.”
“I know. We’ll get it.” I ruffle her hair.
Theresa doesn’t say anything, and I’m unsure what she’s expecting.
I clear my throat. “It’s um…”
“I’m not stupid, Hudson. I know who you spent the night with.” She looks at Adley, who has picked up my phone again and is watching her kid’s show.
“Stupid is a bad word,” Adley says, not looking away from the phone.
“Adley—”
Theresa interrupts me. “You’re right, it is. You shouldn’t say it, and I shouldn’t either. Well, I should go. Have fun tonight.”
“Theresa—”
She puts up her hand and walks away.
So we’re not there yet. Good to know.
It’s weird to feel so awkward with someone I’ve slept with. With someone who, before last night, I talked to almost every day. But I don’t regret it.
I’m grabbing the cheese when my phone vibrates, and Adley passes it to me. “Text.”
It’s crazy what these kids pick up about technology so easily these days.
I’m packing up and see you at home.
We’re leaving the grocery store in ten.
Perfect. See you then.
The three dots appear as if she’s going to send another message and I stand in the refrigerated section waiting like a dog for his treat, but they disappear. My heart sinks, but I remind myself, it’s early days. I hand the phone back to Adley and head to the cashier.
Of course, Theresa is one lane over, and word must have traveled fast that we broke up. It hasn’t been in Buzz Wheel that I know of, but the way the cashiers look at each other tells me that gossip in Lake Starlight is alive and kicking, and everyone knows Theresa and Hudson are no longer.
I can’t get out of the parking lot fast enough, so I quickly get Adley strapped into her car seat. On the drive home, Adley tells me about her time with Harper. Although Harper is a little crazy and has some growing up to do, she’s great with Adley. Never complains about playing a game, painting nails, or baking. She does it all with Adley.
Palmer’s car is in the garage when I pull into my own. After getting Adley out, I grab the bags and Adley walks toward my house.
“No, we’re gonna do it at Mommy’s,” I tell her.
She exaggerates circling back around and heads toward the back door of Palmer’s house. I open the door, and Adley stands on a chair to help me unpack the groceries. Palmer walks into the kitchen with her hair piled high in a bun, pajama pants on with a sweatshirt and fuzzy socks.
I love this look on her, I always have. I wish I could wrap my arm around her waist and kiss her fiercely, showing her how much I missed her today.
