“Look, Aston’s going to get what’s coming to him,” Peter said through gritted teeth. “There is no second chance for you two, and the sooner you realize that, the better.”
“I don’t know what Aston’s going to do, but I’m done with this whole scenario. I’m throwing in the towel.” I stood, talking loudly enough for a few people to notice. “What I do know is that I’m done talking with you.”
With bystanders’ eyes on us now, Peter acquiesced and nodded while he watched me walk away from him.
What was it with these Prescott men demanding what they wanted? Granted, Aston never meant to hurt people the way Peter did. Clearly, Peter meant to hurt Aston in some way with this drug allegation. I couldn’t help but think he was involved or at the center of it.
But why? Why else would he be threatening Aston?
By the time I ordered my coffee and was ready to go, Peter was gone. On my walk back to work, I decided to put all Prescott men out of my mind for forty-eight hours.
Slipping out my phone, I noticed three more texts from Aston asking if I saw his first text. I switched the phone toDO NOT DISTURBand went to pick up my kids.
I needed a break from all of it.
Bexley
“Hey, sweetie,” I said to Piper when she jumped in the car. “How was your test?”
“Okay,” she said. “I’m glad it’s over. And guess what? I made the soccer team! They posted today.”
“Oh, wow, baby, that’s so awesome.”
Just then, we were interrupted by Tyler getting in the car. “What’s awesome?”
“Piper made the soccer team.”
“Great, can we go for ice cream? To celebrate, right, Piper?”
Memories of running into Aston at the ice cream shop filled my mind. “Maybe this weekend?”
Piper nodded, and Tyler whined.
Pulling away from the school, I told the kids I was going to get pizza for dinner, and their mood changed dramatically. It was mostly smiles and laughs all the way home. I wished my mood could improve at the mere mention of pizza.
“I need to call Dad,” Piper said as we walked into the house.
I didn’t know which dad she meant, and honestly, I didn’t want to ask for clarification.
“Can you give me his number?” Piper said, answering my unasked question, and I pulled out my phone.
“Sure.”
“I want to tell him about soccer. Maybe some good news will cheer him up.”
I pulled my thoughtful daughter in for a hug, smushing her to my chest, unable to look into her blue eyes, so reminiscent of his. She shouldn’t have to be such a grown-up.
“Here you go.” I handed her my phone and watched her press theCALLbutton.
“It’s me,” Piper said into the phone.
Of course Aston knew who it was. Even worse, he knew it wouldn’t be me.
“Yeah, Mom said when I get to high school, I can have my own phone.”
I shook my head. He was angling for her to get a phone. The man had been in jail twice in the last month, was wanted for drug trafficking, was in the middle of a divorce and trying to reconcile with me, getting to know his daughter, and now he was worried about buying phones?
“Tyler will be so mad.”
