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Romeo clicked his tongue. “I think we can adjust that attitude around family.”
Violet bristled. “Take him from me again, and I’ll have your hide tanned faster than a rabbit on a hot griddle. Family or not, you don’t walk off with my boy.”
Romeo raised his hands, smirking. “Understood, ma’am. No harm meant. I’ll give you some space.”
Romeo handed me the plastic bag. Violet scowled at him. He grinned and sauntered off, leaving me with Violet and Jack.
I kneeled to Jack’s level, pulling the boxed toy out of the bag. “Wow. Is this yours?”
Jack nodded.
“That’s cool. Can I play with it later?”
Jack eyed me warily. “Maybe.”
I swallowed hard. “Hey, so, um…I’m your dad.”
His frown deepened. “My daddy? Like…like in the storybooks?”
Violet smoothed Jack’s curls. Her gentle touch on his head was everything I wasn’t—soothing, familiar, safe. “Yes, honey. He’s a part of your family.”
He faced me, frowning. “Why you not here before?”
His innocent question felt like an accusation.
My throat tightened. “I didn’t know you were here, buddy. But I’m here now.”
Violet placed a hand on Jack’s back, and he turned toward her. “Jack, sometimes mommies have babies and daddies come after. Your daddy is here to be with us.”
A flush ran up my neck as I met his wide gaze. “That’s right. I’m going to take care of you. I’m sorry I haven’t been there. I’ll make it up to you, I promise.”
Jack took the train still clutched in my grip and tugged. “Let go. It’s mine.”
Violet groaned. “Jack, that’s not very nice.”
I buried a grin as he hugged it to his body. His eyes, identical to mine, swam with doubt. Looking at him hurt. An ache grew in my heart. I brushed a lock of hair from his forehead, and he flinched.
He backed away and looked up at Violet. “Can we go home?”
Violet gave me a sad smile. “Yes, we can.”
As I stood, a heavy weight settled on me. I’d always been unbreakable. But when my son looked at me like a nobody, I felt anything but strong.
“He’s a Costa for sure,” my brother chuckled, giving me a rough pat when I caught up to him. “Kid needs his money’s worth. I told him he could get whatever he wanted and he went for a high-value item.”
I watched them navigate the mall, my stomach twisting in knots. I couldn’t speak. The pain was too much.
Romeo faced me, frowning. “What?”
“My son fears me.”
“It won’t be like that for long.”
I nodded, and the invisible ropes around my chest loosened. “Yeah. You’re right.”
“Hey, you can’t beat yourself up about this. That’s her fault, not yours.”
Fuck you, Elise.
