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“I can,” Tennessee mumbled. “I’d believe it if she skipped the event due to a split nail.”
Her sister threw her a frosty gaze.
“Not only is my best friend not here, but my sister’s baby daddy is. Can I just have one day where it’s about me and not her?” Trinity wailed.
“Honey, the day’s all yours, but Rob has the right to see his son.” Donna rubbed at her favorite daughter’s back.
So Donna was the one responsible for Rob showing up. Bet she didn’t bother asking her elder daughter what she thought about the arrangement.
Tennessee’s face looked tight and resigned, her posture stiff.
Yup.
She definitely didn’t have anything to do with this.
I approached them, placing a hand over Tennessee’s back as I flashed them a good-natured smile.
“I see someone’s got your trousers in a twist. Anything I can do to help?”
The sight of my hand resting against Tennessee’s back sent Donna reeling. She went into a coughing fit while Bryan looked at me like I’d just landed back from Mars sporting a brand new green latex body suit.
Trinity grimaced, probably realizing she should’ve toned down her bitchiness toward her boss’ girlfriend.
Fuck it. The secret was already out in the open. It was better not to Band-Aid the situation.
It didn’t hurt that Robert was here to witness this with his own eyes.
To my surprise, Tennessee leaned a little into me, seeking my touch. Warm, pathetic liquid spread inside my chest, and I rested my chin atop of her head casually.
“It’s all under control. Sorry Rob’s here.” Tennessee cleared her throat.
“I’m not sorry,” Donna said defiantly, sticking her nose up in the air. “Bear needs a father.”
“You could’ve consulted us.” Trinity sighed. “What if Bear’s not ready?”
“Bear’s a child. He should do whatever he is told to do,” Donna pointed out.
Interesting take on parenting.
Effective one, too.
If you were a tyrant.
“You should’ve asked Mom.” Bear leaned into Tennessee, which made us look like a family of our own.
“Don’t talk to your mamaw like that,” Bryan tried to convey some authority, but his heart wasn’t in it.
His eyes were roaming the golf course across the lawn.
“Bear?” I heard a voice behind me.
We all turned around.
Rob was standing there, right in front of us. He didn’t look at me, even though the bruises from our fight had barely faded from both our faces. He didn’t look at Tennessee, either.
Just his son.
Bear’s face looked pained. A mix of dismay and longing I hadn’t seen on anyone before.
