Shaw
It was dark out when I finally pulled the rental car up outside a two-story colonial brick house in a neighborhood with perfectly manicured lawns and trees lining the road. It was the quintessential DC Suburb with mid-range luxury cars in the driveways.
The drive had been almost as quiet as the flight.
I’d never been to Kelcie’s home when she was married to Needle Dick. It was a surprising glimpse into the life she used to lead.
I didn’t bother with the driveway in case we needed to make a fast exit, and saw a dark-blue Explorer parked across the street, just as Wyatt had indicated.
“Let me go get him and see how quickly we can leave. Stay. Here. No matter what,” she said, glowering at me. “I don’t even want him to know you’re in the car.”
I stared back. “Remember what the lawyer said? Do not engage. If you want me to stay in the car, then there won’t be any witnesses to what was said. So just don’t say anything.”
She didn’t answer me, just got out of the car and slammed the door. She faltered for a moment, staring up at what used to be her house. I walked around the car to join her, wanting to reach for her hand. “We got this,” I whispered.
We were a few feet from the door when Aaron came bursting out of the house, his arms outstretched and his face a blotchy mess. “Mom! You came. Let’s go home. I want to go home.”
The boy was in the house he grew up in, but it wasn’t home to him any longer.
“Aaron, come get your bag,” James said, walking out on the porch, hands in his pockets. He didn’t give two shits what emotional upheaval he had caused. He’d managed to get her to leave me and run home. That was all he’d wanted—to see if he still could sway her.
Aaron ignored his father and held onto Kelcie like a child clutching his favorite teddy bear that someone threatened to take away. He was almost the same height as her, making her wrap her arm around his waist and whisper soothing words to him.
Amber came out onto the porch, carrying a backpack. James took it from her and walked it down to Aaron.
“Aaron, I will talk to you tomorrow. Remember what we talked about,” he said, pushing the backpack at Aaron, who was refusing to let go of Kelcie.
“I’m not talking to you,” he said loud enough for all of us to hear.
James glared at Kelcie and then over to the car, where I’d gone back to wait. He was no longer able to maintain his passive expression. His anger was cold and calculating.
Kelcie took the backpack and turned Aaron to the car.
“Don’t forget what the custody agreement says, Kelcie.” He smirked then raised his voice and added, “He can’t move without my permission.”
Kelcie opened the door to the car and helped Aaron get in it. “Hold your bag, honey. We are heading home.”
“You’ll be hearing from my lawyer.” James walked toward the car with the confidence of a man who thought he had us by the balls. “I would suggest you hold off on any trips out of state.”
Aaron rolled down his window. “When Shaw goes the Super Bowl, I’m going too. And you can’t stop me.”
Oh jeez.
Kelcie cringed and hurried up to situate herself then turned to me. “Let’s go. Now.”
Aaron fell asleep before we were on the beltway.
Kelcie was silent, leaning her head against the window. Lights from overhead and the oncoming cars caught random glimpses of her fear and anger.
I didn’t know what to say or what to do to help her.
She rubbed her hand over her forehead, her voice weary. “When do you have to be back?”
Tomorrow morning. I had workouts and meetings. “Don’t worry about it.”
“Why don’t we drive to the airport, and I’ll drop you off so you can get back?—”
“Don’t be ridiculous. I’m driving you two home and making sure you are good.”
