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“What?”
He folds his hands together while eyeing me with an arched brow. “I saw that.” He points to Jadon with his fork. “We talked about that, Jadon. If you’re finished eating, go put your plate in the sink and wash your hands, please.”
Jadon, donning a serious face that is not-at-all upset, takes his plate and I catch him smiling to himself on his way to the kitchen.
“He’s a good guy, Lucas. He loves her. Don’t mess with a good thing because you feel jealous about something you didn’t even want in the first place.”
My jaw aches from clenching it. “You’d rather her be with the guy that slept with half the girls at my school?” I know that has to be it, and I’m putting my next paycheck on that one.
“You don’t even know him.”
Oh, but I do.I know Ted all too well. I’m no saint, but neither is he. He just hides it well.
“She’s happy with him, Lucas. You suddenly showing up doesn’t change things where her relationship goes. You don’t have some sort of barbaric claim on her because you made a baby. And I saw Katrina with you earlier. You have a type, so stick to what you know. My daughter doesn’t need you disrupting her personal life because you and Ted want to mark territory.”
“I didn’t do anything.”
He scoffs. “You know, she spent hours getting ready and was looking forward to a night off. She deserves a break once in a while. You’re here for bits and pieces, but you’re not the one shopping, cooking, cleaning, working a full-time job, keeping up with doctor and dentist appointments, and balancing school while raising a child. You drive her to work in the mornings a few times and think it means something? That’s nothing by comparison. I see you making efforts, but you could have cut that shit instead of rubbing your chins all over Allie like the only woman that walked by your caves.”
“If it bothers you, you could have said something, too, Tom.”
“You’re the adultsandthe parents. I did my part already. My daughter is doing well considering her situation. Sure, she lives here, but I’m happy to help her save money on rent while she takes care of everything else. You and Ted need to work it out or don’t speak to one another. But that little boy can sense the tension already. Don’t you dare make him uncomfortable. And if you want Jadon to accept Katrina in your life, you need to show him you can accept Ted in hers. That’s the only way you’ll all be able to work it out.”
Tom sets his fork down and takes a drink of his soda. “And for the record, I like you a hell of a lot more than Ted. Kid doesn’t know shit about football and spends way too much time on his phone, but he loves her. You hardly know her.”
Tom gathers his plate and mine and stands. “But if by some weird change of heart you’re thinking you want to work things out with Allie, you best figure some things out before you break her heart.”
Chapter21
Lucas
“Daddy, do you think my mommy is pretty?”
He just called me that. I’ve already lost track of every time he’s said it tonight. Even nervous and unsure of myself, a sense of pride surges through me hearing it from Jadon. Jadon looks up at me, and I think he’s just been looking for ways to keep calling me that, which I definitely don’t mind.
Allie and Ted have been talking in the driveway for a while. I’ve been glancing their way occasionally. Not being nosy or anything.
“Of course I do, buddy. Your mommy is so beautiful,” I tell him while smoothing his hair down. He’s ready for bed but waiting for her to come back in. God, she’s something else. The waves in her hair have fallen flat, and it’s hot out. Why is he keeping her out for so long?
And why is she entertaining this joker? Ted’s stiffness and lack of personality screams that he gets off on sharpening pencils and trips over his own feet when the office hottie walks by.
What would he do if I took the trash out right now? Maybe Allie could use a friend while dealing with that scowl on his face and whatever bullshit he’s spitting at her outside. Maybe she needs backup or even someone to send Ted home.
Casually, I reach for the latch to open the window to let some air in when Jadon turns my head to face him. “Then why don’t you love her?”
Is she sure he’s four? Did he come out halfway grown or something? What’s he getting at here? “Buddy, I will always love your mommy for having and taking care of you while I was gone.”
“Okay,” he says, like it’s the simplest thing in the world.
Ted’s car door slams shut, and his lights illuminate the living room as he pulls out of the driveway, disappearing into the night. Allie comes in a minute later, and leans against the front door, staring down at her feet. Her hair falls into a curtain around her face so I can’t see her, but the disappointment is clearly there.
No, I didn’t want her to go, but Tom put something into perspective for me. She deserves a break, and I just ruined her night off.
“Everything okay?” I ask her when she finally pushes off the door and steps out of those heels.
“Yeah,” she sighs. “Apparently, the stay was nonrefundable and whatever it was, it was some big event he wanted to take me to tonight, so he’s going alone.”
“So he’s going to go stay in a hotel all alone for the night?” I don’t get who would stay in a hotel by themselves, but maybe he doesn’t want to waste his money on whatever event I doubt exists.
