Page 55 of Contentious

“Whatever you want to do is fine. I’ll text my sister about taking over your case.”

“Thank you.”

Ty came bursting out of the hallway, wearing his school uniform of navy blue pants and a light blue polo shirt. His hair had been brushed, and he carried a pair of sneakers as he ran into the room. “I’m ready. Can I show Mr. Carson my guys while you make breakfast?”

“You’ve never gotten ready that fast in your life. Go ahead.”

While Ty introduced Carson to each of his Spider-Man toys, Cresley went into the kitchen to make coffee and the oatmeal Ty ate every morning. She could hear Carson asking questions and Ty’s delight in answering them.

He’d never before woken up to a man in their house and was clearly enjoying the experience. Cresley felt a pang of regret that he hadn’t had that before now. She liked to think she’d given him everything he needed, but the one thing she couldn’t give him was male companionship, which he clearly had been craving, if his response to Carson was any indication.

“Mom! Can I surf on Saturday?”

“After hockey practice in the morning.”

“Does that work for you, Mr. Carson?”

“Sure does. I’ll get you a wet suit. What’re you, a men’s extra-large?”

Ty’s belly laugh was her favorite thing in life. “You’re so dumb about kids.”

“What? Is that not big enough?”

Cresley smiled as she listened to them. “Come eat your oatmeal.”

“Mom, what size am I?”

“A boy’s seven or eight.”

“Not a men’s extra-large, you big dummy.”

“Ty, no name-calling.”

“Mom, come on. He thought I was a men’s extra-large. That’s kinda dumb.”

“He does have a point,” Carson said.

Cresley shook her head as she smiled at him.

Carson carried Ty under one arm to deposit him on a stool at the island.

“Coffee?” she asked.

“Please.”

“How do you take it?”

“Cream, no sugar.”

“Would oat milk suffice?”

“Absolutely not, but I’ll make do.”

She handed him the oat milk container and a spoon.

“Thank you.”

“Breakfast?”