Page 73 of Bobby

“What? No love for me and Payton? I thought I was your favorite,” Tommy says as he tickles Lily enough to make her scream with delight.

“You are, you are.” She laughs as she squirms out of his reach and runs to Payton, who pretends to block Lily from her man as they circle each other.

“Hey, Mama.” I open my arms and squeeze her tight to me, kissing her forehead. She’s been smaller than me since I hit puberty, but I know not to make her mad. She can still wield a wooden spoon with the best of them when she’s really upset. “Didn’t know if you were going to make it.”

“Of course I was. A nonna always keeps a promise. And I promised Ivy, didn’t I, angel?”

Mama opens her arms, and Ivy nods before walking into them and squeezing tight.

“So, this is what a jerboa looks like, huh?” Vinny asks as he and Danny read every detail on her cardboard background.

“Yup. And I’m happy to answer any questions you have about them,” Ivy says, pulling out of my mama’s arms and standing tall, pitching her information to her first two customers of the night.

“It was very sweet of you all for coming out,” Willow says. “Ivy will be talking about this for months.”

“So will Tommy. I think this is the first thing he’s learned since discovering girls,” Danny remarks, and the rest of us laugh.

We’ve been here for just over two hours. The crowd is thinning, but our girl has had a steady group of people coming to ask her questions. I’d like to think it’s because so many are curious about the little creature she chose, but I also know that my brothers have drawn a few people this way. Everyone has been polite enough not to approach any of us for anything—something that’s done rarely when we’re seen all together. But I’m sure the look my mama is giving, matching Marco’s, when people get close has something to do with it. If someone even opens their mouth to speak, Mama asks them if they know about jerboas, then shows them over to Ivy. Each person has been smart enough to realize the stars of the show tonight are the children, not the men standing at the side of one of them.

I feel Willow stiffen next to me. I’ve been by her side all night, inching closer by the hour until my arm was brushing hers as we leaned against the wall by Ivy’s display. I scan her face quickly and see she’s looking away. I follow her line of sight and growl.

“Who is it?” Danny asks, probably noting Willow’s actions a second after I did and then hearing me react. Even Vinny is standing taller, no longer leaning casually with us against the wall.

“Trevor,” Willow says.

“Willow’s ex-husband and the girls’ father,” I supply to make it seem as if my brothers didn’t already know who he is. As if they didn’t read her file when Danny first looked into her.

“What are you doing here?” Willow asks as soon as he gets close, taking a step toward him. One I hate, but I refuse to keep her from defending herself. Doesn’t mean I won’t stand at her back if she needs me. Along with my brothers. All but Tommy, who I note has taken a step between Trevor and Ivy while Mama and Marco are walking the room together.

“Despite how you treat me, I am Ivy’s dad. And I will be present in her life.”

Willow flinches back as if she’d been slapped. The air grows cold as the frost in my eyes takes up my entire being. How dare he cause any unkind reaction from my girl.

“I never said you couldn’t be here for her.” Her voice wavers a bit, and I see her shutting down. It’s a glimpse into how Trevor has always treated her, probably even before the divorce. And I don’t like it one bit.

“And no one would believe you would,” I say as I place a hand on her back in support. This fucker thinks he can come in and start shit in front of the other families who have not-so-subtly turned to look in our direction. I’m sure they’re all still talking about the last time Trevor showed up at the school, and they’re probably waiting to get more gossip to spread about my girl.

“Mommy, Mommy.” Ivy’s voice draws all our eyes as she bounces over, grabbing Willow’s arm. “Mr. Tommy said he likes jerboas so much that he’s going to get one. Can we get one too? Can we? Pretty please?”

“Hello, Ivy.” Trevor’s formal greeting has the joy dying in her eyes as she turns and finally sees him.

“Hello, Father.” She doesn’t go to him for a hug or even take a step toward him.

“Ivy.” He narrows his eyes at her. “Do you have something else to say?”

I’m not the only one who blisters at the way he speaks to his child, even if I have no clue what he’s going on about.

“Yes.” She licks her lips and looks at her mom with sorrow before bowing her head. “Hello, Mom.”

Mom? I’m the only one who could hear the slight breath hitch, but I’m sure Trevor was watching Willow closely enough to see it.

I look back at Trevor and scan the woman beside him, who I assume is the one Ivy’s talking to.

“Hello, sweet girl. It’s good to see you again.” She walks over and wraps her arms around Ivy, who only returns the hug after a throat clearing from her father.

Ivy nods and steps back, just a small one, but clearly closer to her mother—her real one.

“And hello, Bobby. It’s been too long.” The woman goes to hug me, but I take a clear step out of her reach.