Page 173 of Contentious

“We were there during the week… What were you doing there?”

“I took Isla to her husband’s wake and went to kill some time while she was there.”

“Why didn’t you say something?”

“What was there to say?”

“Hello? It’s me, your son?”

“Wait, you’re annoyed with me for not saying something when I saw you holding hands with my mother for the first time in twenty years?”

“I’m not annoyed.”

“You sound annoyed.”

Carson had never wished he could’ve attended one of his father’s meetings in person more than he did this one so he could have read the expressions on his brothers’ faces. Normally, he avoided more meetings than he attended.

“Well, I’m not. I’m just surprised that you saw us and didn’t say something.”

“Put yourself in his place, Dad,” Griffin said. “Imagine the shock he must’ve felt after the way you two tore each other apart for years. Now you’re holding hands, and you haven’t even told us you’re back together?”

“We were going to. We’d been discussing the best way to do that.”

“Kaidan already knew,” Ethan said. “She’d picked up the scent from living with Mom after she heard her giggling on the phone with you.”

“And none of you said anything?” Corbin asked, sounding shocked.

“We didn’t believe it until I saw it with my own eyes,” Julian said.

“Is there anything else?” Griffin asked.

“I don’t have anything else, unless any of you wish to say something.”

“I’d like to take a paternity leave to spend a few months with my daughter.”

The announcement was met with dead silence.

Then Ethan, his associate, said, “Uh, like, how would that work?”

“I’d need some help covering my clients, and before any of you say anything, I know that’s a huge ask, but I’m asking anyway.”

“How long are you thinking, son?”

“I’d like to take six months.”

“What?” Ethan said on a gasp. “And I’m supposed to cover that by myself?”

“I hope no one would expect that,” Griffin said.

“I’ll cover for you, son,” Corbin said. “Take the time you need to be with your little girl. You’ll never regret it.”

“Wait, what?” Julian asked. “When was the last time you actually practiced law, Dad?”

“Please, I’m as up-to-date as the rest of you and can easily step in for Griffin.”

Jackson cleared his throat. “Are we allowed to laugh? Asking for a friend.”

Carson had to choke back a laugh himself and so wished he was there to read the room. It had to be priceless.