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“What we have is toxic. We can’t be around each other. We have a history of hurting each other. We can’t co-parent divorced any more than we could parent married. Look at you. Nothing changes.” Her voice rose. “You’re a mess. You’ve always been a mess.” She actually looked regretful. Her mouth softened, and her gaze slid over me. “I wish whoever you pissed off would’ve killed you. I’d rather mourn you than fight with you.”
The hatred in her hit like a punch to the gut. “Are you fucking serious? You’d want her raised without a father? She’s my little girl.”
“Do you know how many times I’ve wished she wasn’t?”
I stared at her. This was what we’d come to. Hatred and spitting venom. “You can’t change DNA.”
“And you can’t change your colors.”
For a moment, we stared at each other. This was crazy. I was crazy for thinking she’d ever see that I’d changed. She was crazy for thinking I’d ever walk away.
“I’m done, Natalie. You wanted a fight. You’ve got one.”
Henri rushed out of the house. “I’ve called the cops.”
“For what?” I asked. “The restraining order was dropped, asshole.”
“And yet, here you are again.”
“Because you’re attempting to kidnap my kid.”
“It’s just a vacation,” Natalie said.
“Do you typically pack up a house to go on vacation?”
Natalie pushed her bangs from her eyes. “I plan to sell the house as soon as the divorce is final. This has nothing to do with going to France.”
“You’re a liar,” I said. “You pulled her out of school.”
“No, I haven’t.”
As if I conjured proof, Jaymi pulled along the curb and parked behind my Harley. Neighbors across the street stood on their porch. And the guy next door leaned against his house and smoked a cigarette.
Natalie stared at Jaymi. “What is Lili’s teacher doing here?”
“She’s with me.” Fuck. She should’ve stayed home. Natalie was angry and vindictive. I could take it. But I wasn’t going to let Jaymi be another target, especially when it came to Lili.
Natalie snapped her gaze at me. “Are you serious? You’re fucking our daughter’s teacher? That would explain the letters she submitted to the court.”
“Fuck the letters. You lied to get the TRO. Everything out of your mouth is a lie.”
“That’s rich coming from you. Does she know about your whores?”
“Enough. This isn’t about Jaymi. It’s about us.”
“At least now I know how you found out about France.” She raised her voice at Jaymi. “You need to stay out of my business.”
Jaymi stepped closer to me. “I’m not here because I’m Lili’s teacher.”
“Good, because you aren’t anymore.”
“Miss Jaymi.” Lili ran out of the house. Her gaze swung from me to Jaymi and back again.
“Lili,” Natalie scolded. “I told you to stay in the house.”
The smile fell from her face.
Two patrol cars approached.
