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I release a sigh as soon as he’s out of earshot and immediately turn to Joel. “Am I doing the right thing?”
“You’re doing the best you can, Lucy. I hate this for you. But I’m here, for whatever decision you make. I’ll always have your back.”
“I’m just so scared. What if he tries to take her away?”
Joel notices something over my shoulder and smiles. “I’m not going to lie and say he won’t try that, but along with us, you’ve got someone else that I’m almost certain will fight to ensure that doesn’t happen.”
I don’t have to look to know he’s talking about Wes.
“Thank you, Joel. You’re right. I need to be positive.”
He wraps his arm around me and pulls me into a hug before kissing the top of my head. “I know you’re holding something back, Luce. And I wish I knew what it was so I could better help in this situation. But from the information I do know, all I can say is that you’re doing the right thing by both him and Katie. And it doesn’t hurt that you’ve got your guard up. Trust your instincts, and if you’re ever worried, call me day or night. Call any of us. We’re all here for you.”
Chapter Thirty-Six
Wes
“Please.Prettyplease,”Katiebegs, her tiny hands framed under her chin like she knows it’ll make her look cuter. And she’s right. It does.Dammit! I’m not sure I can say no to her, and that’s not a good way to start a relationship with her mom, because I’m totally going to take Katie’s side every time they’re arguing.Eh, not my problem right now.
“Do you have a song in mind?”
Katie’s face lights up and she squeals. If that means yes, God, please don’t let it be Spice Girls.Do kids even listen to them anymore?
Grabbing my hand, she drags me into her room for a costume before we make our way outside ten minutes later. Thankfully, the costume is just for her, but it gives nothing away about her song choice.
As we near the stage set up, Joel’s finishing up a rendition of “You Can Leave Your Hat On” by Joe Cocker—which has Delilah almost in tears of laughter.Inside joke maybe?
Katie leads me to the booklet that lists the songs and flips through it until she gets to the page she wants.Has she been studying this list?Of course not, she’s four.
“Is this one okay?” she asks, pointing to a star on the page. That makes much more sense. Someone helped her find it. The fact that she’s asking me if it’s okay has me saying yes before I’ve even looked at the song she’s pointing to. She cheers and wraps her arms around me like I single-handedly made her day, and my chest flutters with a feeling I don’t recognize, but one that’s not at all unwelcome.
Joel moves our way and hands over the mic with an encouraging pat on my back. “Go be a star, Katie. Good luck, Wes.”
“Ha, thanks.”I’m going to need it.
We step up to the screen, waiting for the song to come on, and as soon as the words appear, I bite back a groan and force a chuckle.
“Shake It Off,” by Taylor Swift.
I was really hoping for rock, but what was I expecting with a preschooler?
“You sing the other part and I’ll do the main bit,” Katie rushes out as she lifts her mic to her mouth.
Does she mean chorus? And for me to sing the verse? The music starts and I’m not at all ready.Fuck!What do I do again?
Words fly across the screen, and I must miss my cue because Katie tries to whisper-yell, “It’s your turn,” but it comes out at full volume and everyone watching laughs.
I manage to catch up and sing along—badly—until the chorus hits and Katie takes over. She’s so fucking adorable my heart melts, and when I see Lucy with tears in her eyes, I decide the embarrassment in this moment is worth it. At least Carter and Gray aren’t here. That’s a bonus.
The next verse begins, and while I sing more confidently, I still suck. I’ve never really been able to hold a tune, and today’s no exception.
My gaze flashes between the words on the screen and the many faces smiling up at us, trying to ignore the ones that are laughing, but I can’t. Dylan seems to find it utterly hilarious, while Summer hides her smile behind her hand. I’m shaking my head with a grin, laughing at the situation I have myself in, when my eyes lock on a new arrival at the party. He’s staring directly at me with a menacing gaze. His fists are clenched at his side, and all I can think is…What the actual fuck?
I miss my cue again, and Katie lets me know it, pulling at the hem of my tee until I snap out of it and smile at her, checking the screen and singing my part.
As soon as the song finishes and everyone surrounds Katie in congratulations, I slip away, beelining straight for Greg with my hands clenched at my sides, matching his look from earlier.
“What are you doing here?” I bark out when I reach him, not wasting any time.
