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He snorts. “Yeah. I figured that out two years ago.”
I drop my head and decide to be honest. “I know you were blindsided by the divorce, Brax. So was I. I know you’d like things to return to what they used to be, but it will never happen. All we can do is move forward in a way that will make us happiest.”
His eyes grow glossy. “But it's not fair.”
“I know. And if I could change it, I would. But you can’t make a person stay if they don’t want to, and you shouldn’t try. Because you both deserve better.”
“Why did she leave like that? Why didn’t you try to get her back.”
“Because as much as I love your mom for giving me you. I could never love her again the way I used to. The hurt she caused is too deep. Our trust is broken. And our arrangement wasn’t working. Leaving if she wasn’t happy wasn’t wrong. It’s the way she went about it. Do you understand?”
“I don’t want Chaze to be my dad.” His lower lip trembles.
“He’s not and never will be if you’re uncomfortable with him in that role. You get to choose how you view him and what title you give as long as it’s respectful.”
“I do?”
“Yes, and I’ll back you on that. I’m sorry you were made to feel otherwise. You think I should do certain things differently, but it’s not about what I want. That’d be selfish and problematic. The goal is to run two households in harmony. Do you understand?”
“I hate it there, Dad. I don’t want to act like everything is okay.” His voice cracks. “Because it’s not. And I don’t think he’s my friend after what he did.”
“And that’s okay, Bud.” I pull him into a hug. “I’ll talk to your mom about it. How does that sound?”
“Good.” I cup the back of his head as the beast in me stirs. I’m done playing nice to keep the peace. I’ll do whatever it takes to give Brax a life that brings him happiness and stability. If Laurel wants to go to war over decisions related to Brax, I’m ready to roll out in a fully armed tank.
Knock. Knock. Knock. Lifting my head, I see Daph outside, biting her lip. Kissing Brax’s head, I straighten.
“Are you up to going home with Mimi while I talk to Daph?”
“Are you friends again?” Brax asks.
“I’d like to be. I apologized for hurting Daph’s feelings.”
“That’s good. I like her a lot, Dad. She’s really nice and funny.”
“Yeah.” I smile. “She’s always been like that.”
“I’m glad you got your friend back, Dad. You need her.”
“Oh, I do?”
“Yeah. I know you’re lonely. I worry about you when I’m not at the apartment with you.” His words stun me into silence. “Come on, Mimi. We should let Ms. Daphne in.” Offering my mother his arm, he strolls to the door smoothly with his chin up. I chuckle at his gumption. The kid’s a trooper. Trailing behind him, I watch as he invites Daphne inside.
“Am I too early?” Daph asks.
“No, we were just telling Brax about the potential changes coming.
Daph looks down at Brax and smiles. “Pages has always meant a lot to me. I’ll make changes, but the heart will remain the same. I promise. And you’ll always be welcome here.”
“What about the reading nook?”
“I would never open a book store without that.”
Brax nods solemnly. “Promise?”
“Pinky promise.” She holds out her pinky and Brax hooks his small pinky in hers. This is how it should be. I let her slip through my fingers once. I won’t allow that to happen a second time. Watching a bond form between them is the green light I didn’t know I was looking for. Daphne Blume has always been mine. It’s time I show her.
“We have a date with popcorn and scary movies tonight. I’ll let you two hash things over, and we’ll set up a meeting tomorrow?” Mom asks.
