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He drags my hand, leading me toward the front door. I chuckle.
“Hold on. At least say bye to your mom first.”
“Bye, Mom,” he shouts from across the room.
I shake my head before looking at Christine. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Yeah, sure, goodnight. If he doesn’t calm down soon—”
“I know. I’ll get him his medicine,” I assure her with a smile.
“Alright. Bye, Michael.”
I want so badly to reach for her and hold her, but I can’t. Not until we figure out what we’re doing and get our son on the same page. There are so many things we need to resolve before our son ends up in the middle of it.
* * *
My mom plans a barbecue later that week, which could not have come at a better time. I’ve been busy with work and it feels like any time Christine and I finally have a chance to speak, there’s always some interruption. I’ve suspected that she might be avoiding me.
The barbecue’s the perfect chance for us to speak. It’s also the first time our entire family has been in one place. Her parents, Tia, my mom and aunt, and my brother and his wife. Camila’s also still around, and then Noah, of course.
Matt and I are working the grill despite the fact that we have two capable chefs and a butler who could do the task perfectly. My mom has always insisted we do the grilling, so we’re used to it.
“Mom, I think it’s time you grab one of these tongs and flip this burger,” I say jokingly.
“You’re men. You should be the ones working the grill at cook-outs,” my mom says.
I smirk. “That’s incredibly un-feminist of you, Mother,” Matt says, making everyone laugh.
She waves her hand in the air. “As long as you grill us some steak, I don’t care.”
“What if Chrissy wanted to work the grill? Or Cora?” my brother asks from beside me.
“No, I’m good,” Christine immediately says.
She and Noah arrived a few minutes ago. She had been talking to Cora.
“Count me out, honey,” his wife adds.
Camila looks up from her spot on a lounge chair. “I would have offered to lend a hand, but nobody asked me. Shame.” She sighs.
Christine stares at her, obviously waiting for an introduction. Camila gets to her feet and walks closer to us.
“Hi, you must be Christine. I’ve heard so much about you,” she says, smiling.
“Yes, I am—and you are?” Christine asks.
“Oh,” Camila says, blushing. She sidles up closer to me. “Mikey didn’t mention me? I’m his ex-girlfriend, Camila.”
She places a hand on my chest in a very flirtatious manner. I narrow my eyes as I look down at her. Everyone watches our suddenly tension-laden interaction.
“No, he didn’t,” Christine says coldly, staring at her hand, which is still on my chest.
I’m quick to protest while taking Camila’s hand off my chest. “Christine, this isn’t—” I start, but she cuts me off.
“It’s fine. It’s nice to meet you, Camila. We’re here for a barbecue, right? No need to make things awkward,” she states before walking away in the direction of Tia and her parents.
“I’m pretty sure this was awkward from the moment she walked in,” Matthew says with a chuckle.
