“Sometimes Tyler is sort of jealous of him, and honestly, other times, I think he likes his time with Little A better. Aston Junior looks up to him and wants to do everything he does. Anyway, when Seth drove us home, Tyler popped his headphones in and watched something on his iPad, and I mentioned how lucky I was to have two dads and Chad has none. I told Seth I’d be okay with giving him to Chad.”
“Piper, that’s not necessary.”
“Seriously, Mom, you have to stop interrupting me. Look, Seth knew what I meant. I’m taking time to get to know my dad-dad, and he’s making a life with Cherry and Chad.”
“Jesus Christ, I don’t know when things got so complicated. Pardon my French.”
Inside, I was torn up for Tyler. This couldn’t be easy for him, and I decided to schedule a mom-son date to discuss it this week. As soon as I finished this chat with Piper.
“Christ, sorry,” I said, repeated myself.
“It’s fine,” she said, her hair springing free from a messy bun. “Dad swears a lot too. He also said not to tell you that, but I knew you wouldn’t care. Look, I’m sorry about the phone. I can show you. I only use it to text Dad, and there are no apps. Maybe I can get some now that you know?”
She smiled at me, and I couldn’t help but giggle.
“You’re just like him, you know? Always have been. Equal parts stubborn, a heart too big for its own good, and the drive to do everything you want. It used to keep me awake at night, thinking about nature versus nurture. Do you know what that means?”
She shook her head.
“It’s the debate between your personality being crafted from your genetic makeup, who your parents are, or from the environment where you were raised. I’d think over and over in my head that you were a prime example of nature. Not only your eye color, but everything about you.”
“Oh. Dad did say I have a lot of him in me.”
“You do,” I said, laughing again.
“Which is why you have to give him a chance.”
“Did he put you up to this?” I eyed my daughter.
“No. All he said was he wanted a chance. And I agreed.”
“Piper—”
“He may have encouraged me to talk with you. To mention this.”
“I don’t think it’s a good idea for you to be in the middle, baby,” I said, brushing some hair off her face.
“I’m not. I swear. I asked Dad if he’s going to marry you when he first came by a few weeks ago. I know he wants to ... is all I’m saying.”
“Piper.” I blew out a deep breath before continuing. “Look, this can be confusing, I’m sure. You’re reunited with your dad, and I’m glad, but that doesn’t mean this is some fairy tale where he whisks me away. We have to think about Tyler. And me. And Aston’s kids. And maybe he doesn’t want to marry me ...”
I rambled until there was a knock at the door. Based on the guilty look on Piper’s face, I realized my thirteen-year-old daughter was running the show.
“Shoot,” she mumbled.
“What now? Please, God, don’t say what I think you’re going to say,” I said, looking down at my worn denim shirt and jean cutoffs I’d changed into after work.
“I kind of forgot to mention that I invited Dad to eat. Mara and Little A were going with Denise to see their mom, and he was all alone,” she said, giving me puppy-dog eyes before she ran to the door.
“Piper,” I said through gritted teeth, and then plastered a smile on my face.
Her dad walked through the door like he owned the place. Holding out his hand to me, he smiled and said, “Aston Prescott. Nice to meet you.”
I was a goner.
“Hi, Aston.” I pulled my shit together. “Good to see you.”
“Not as great as it is to see you.”
