Page 137 of I Loved You First

She shrugged. “Have Darius send me the papers again. To my mom’s address in Tampa. I’ll sign them. Take care of him, Cam.” And then she walked off toward her Jeep.

He exhaled another long breath as he rolled his neck, watching her get in and drive off without looking back.

With nothing more he could do, he headed for the truck, looking at Fiona as he got in.

“What did she say?”

“That she’s leaving. She’s going back to Florida. She wants me to have Darius send her the papers again.”

Fi touched his arm. “I’m sorry, Cam.”

Turning over the engine, he checked his mirrors before he pulled out when he saw a break in the traffic, struggling with a wave of anger. “I just don’t understand why she’s not interested in having a relationship with Brady if she can’t have one with me.”

“I don’t know.”

“She saw him today. It’s his first day of school. It’s one of his big moments. Why doesn’t she want to be a part of that?”

“Not everyone’s cut out to be a parent. If she can’t be what Brady needs, it’s better that she stays away.”

He clenched his jaw as he tightened his grip on the wheel, knowing Fiona was right. But at the moment, it didn’t matter.

“I’m not trying to be insensitive, Cam.”

“I know that.”

“Can you pull over?”

His gaze whipped over to meet hers. “Are you okay? Is the baby okay?”

She nodded. “We’re both fine. Right now, I’m worried about you.”

“Mostly, I’m fine.” He flipped on his blinker, pulling into a parking spot at the public library. “I’m definitely pissed that Ally pretty much sucks. I’m also sad for Brady.”

Fiona sighed. “Do you have a couple of minutes to walk? Or we can sit on the bench.”

Killing the engine, he stared at the pretty wooden bench under the massive maple tree. “Yeah.”

They both got out, heading toward the bench.

He sat down as Fi did, scrubbing his hands over his face. “I’m sorry about all of this, Fi.”

She blinked. “Why are you apologizing to me?”

“Because this has been a lot. Everything’s been messy for weeks.”

“And I can handle it.” She captured his hand, holding it tight. “I’m sorry the last few weeks have been so hard on you.”

He jerked his shoulders.

“I know this situation isn’t ideal. Brady deserves so much more. There’s nothing I can do about Ally, but I can promise you that Brady will always feel my love. I adore him, and that will never, ever change.”

He gave her fingers a squeeze. “Thank you for saying that.”

She nodded. “I know this isn’t the best time… When you think the time is right… I want to be Brady’s mom.”

He held her gaze, surprised that he suddenly felt possessive and protective of his son when this was everything he’d always wanted and dreamed about. Fiona being the mother of his children. “Taking Brady on… That feels right to you?”

She nodded. “Absolutely.”