AllFreeNovel
Share Us
He walks toward me and grabs my hand. “You know that if you and I are going to make this work, eventually, he and I will have to coexist, right? I don’t want to miss every single function that the kids have just because Judd is going to be there.”
“I know,” I tell him. “I just haven’t figured out the best way to handle this yet.”
“Maybe tell him to put on his big boy pants and deal with it?”
My eyes narrow in on him. “You and I both know it isn’t that easy.”
“Is Mary Louise going to be there?”
“I don’t know,” I say. Not wanting to lie, I add, “Probably.”
“Then, I don’t see why he should care.”
Sighing, I say, “Neither do I, Tanner. But I’m trying to keep the peace here. It’s Alex’s soccer game. I really don’t want there to be drama.”
“I know,” he mumbles. “I’m sorry. It’s just frustrating.”
Honestly, after how Judd acted the other night, I’m surprised Tanner is still here. I figured Judd’s asshole nature would have scared him right off. I have a sinking feeling of dread, though, that Tanner isn’t going to stick around if I keep making excuses like this.
Do I want Judd and Tanner to get along?
Sure.
Do I have any idea how to make that happen?
Nope.
Do I want to try to figure it out at my son’s soccer game where Judd will make a huge scene?
Absolutely not.
“I know it’s frustrating,” I tell him, wrapping my arms around my neck. “I’m sorry. I promise that I will find a way to make this whole thing work. Just give me a little bit of time. Please.”
He gives a silent nod.
“And when you get back, you can come over, and I’ll try to help make it better.” I lean up and kiss him.
“It’s not fair when you do that, you know,” he says. “It makes me want to forget that I’m upset.”
“Oh, really?”
“Yeah,” he says, moving away from me. “Look, I’m going to go talk to Alex real quick before I head out. I don’t want him to be mad at me.”
Guilt washes over me. Tanner has been there for these kids so much in the short time since knowing them. On nights when we are all home, he helps with homework, reads stories, cooks dinner, and just hangs out with them. He’s the husband I always pictured myself having. He’s helping out with three kids that he didn’t create. The guy who did create them is actively trying to make our lives hell.
And here I am, making it easier for Judd to do that.
I’m just not sure what else to do. The other day when Judd took the boys out for dinner, he made sure to give me hell when he brought them home. He made all the same threats he was making at the bar, telling me that I’m lucky he doesn’t take the boys from me.
If Judd took me back to court, which I highly doubt he would, it’s unlikely he would get full custody. But I never want it to even get to that point. I never want my kids to have to go through that again. After the first time, I was convinced they were going to need therapy for the rest of their lives. The divorce was ugly. Phone conversations were recorded, bank accounts were analyzed, and even some visits were supervised. The whole thing was a mess, and it put so much stress on the kids that I wasn’t sure they would come out of it.
They did. Eventually. But it took a couple of months. I don’t want them to have to worry like that anymore.
For that reason, I take all the bullshit that Judd dishes out. Better me than them.
And I love Tanner, but I don’t know if I’m going to be able to keep him and keep the peace that I have achieved.
I have no idea what Tanner says to Alex. I didn't want to go in and listen and somehow make this whole situation worse.
