Once I’ve collected myself, I open the door to the sounds of goodbyes as people are starting to leave. I round the corner of the hallway that opens to the kitchen when I almost walk right into Luca standing in front of me with a large, yellow Lego bucket in his hands.
“Will you help me build a Lego house?” he asks in his small, now five-year-old voice.
I smile, taking the big Lego bucket from his anxious arms. “Of course. Let’s go set this up in the living room.”
From where Luca and I are sitting on the floor, I can see Bailey outside through the large bay window. She’s standing in the front yard talking with the family of one of the kids in Luca’s class. I darkly laugh under my breath, seeing the subtle wrinkles in her sundress that I’m proud to be responsible for.
Fred comes to join us, sitting on the edge of the couch, leaning down to grab some Legos from the multicolored mound on the floor.
My eyes shift back to Bailey. She waves at the last guest as they’re pulling away, then suddenly, her expression changes. She runs a shaky hand through her hair, quickly darting her eyes in all directions. The second her hair whips around her face and she’s in full view, I witness her eyebrows pinch together and her nervously biting her bottom lip.
My shoulders straighten as I prepare to stand up. Something is wrong. She makes eye contact with me filled with dread and with that, something inside tells me exactly what’s wrong.
Tyler.
Chapter Twenty-Seven
Mason
Once our eyes connect, I calmly nod, letting her know that I’m coming to help. Then I quickly glance around the house, taking inventory of where everyone is. Fred is sitting only a few feet from me, keeping Luca busy; Mary and Jess are standing next to the slip-and-slide, watching Penelope slide down multiple times on her stomach. Harry is nowhere to be found, and he’s the one I need the most. There doesn’t seem to be any lingering guests around, which is good.
“Hey, Luca, I’ll be right back, alright? I’m just going to talk to your mom really quickly. Keep up the good work on that cool castle.”
“It’s a dungeon,” he corrects.
“Okay, then keep up the good work on that dungeon,” I say, lifting off the floor.
I take one more look at Bailey, noticing she’s following Harry to the side of the house. I don’t see Tyler yet, but the look of panic in those beautiful almond-shaped eyes says it all. He’s definitely here. She’s mentioned to me on more thanone occasion that he has a history of showing up unannounced during family get-togethers—especially Luca’s past birthdays.
I make my way out the front door, taking a sharp left by the garage. I walk right into what seems to be a contentious situation between Harry, Bailey, and who I assume is Tyler.
I have to fight every goddamn protective, adrenaline-filled urge pulsing through my veins not to beat the shit out of him for turning his back on his family and giving up on Bailey, Luca, and the perfect little life he could have had with them. One that most people would do anything for, but he let it go; he squandered it.
I’m raging with jealousy as I storm right into their conversation. Bailey notices me first and steps away, almost falling into the stupid rocks that make up the desert landscape. As a reflex, my arm shoots out, catching her by the elbow and steading her in place.
“Thanks,” she says but keeps her head down. She looks upset, and I don’t like it.
I smile. My finger still wrapped around her elbow, I nudge her close to me.
“Go inside.” I keep my voice soft but firm.
Bailey rapidly blinks, staring up at me, but then turns away from us and heads inside the house.
Harry is standing to my left when I come within arm’s length with Tyler.
“You can’t be here, man. You’re already making my sister upset,” Harry states, seemingly taking the nice brother approach. “She’s already told you that she doesn’t want Luca to see you like this.”
Tyler doesn’t respond to Harry and instead just glares at him with his jaw locked in place. His eyes are noticeably bloodshot and hang half open.
“What are you doing here, Tyler?” I ask, my fists tight at my sides.
“I came to see my son on his birthday. You guys can’t keep me from my kid,” he spits, stepping closer on unsteady legs before facing me. “And who the fuck are you?”
“A friend.”
“You signed away your rights, dude. That doesn’t mean you’ll never see him, but you sure as hell won’t like this.” Harry’s voice raises when he squares his shoulders.
“I’m fucking fine. Now let me see my kid.” Tyler’s voice slurs a bit.
