I love that I’m getting more time with him, but damn her for her blasé attitude about motherhood. He deserves so much more than what he’s getting from her. I smile when I see my little man standing in his bed, one leg propped up on the railing, ready to make his escape.
“All right, Houdini.” I chuckle, walking into his room.
“Daddy!” He squeals with delight, and my heart melts.
“I’m here to rescue you,” I tell him, lifting him out of his crib. He wraps his little arms around my neck and hugs me. “Daddy loves you.”
“Wove ooh,” he says.
“Mommy’s gotta work, so we’re going to go to Uncle Landry and Aunt Rowan’s house. You ready to see everyone?” I ask him.
“Baby.”
I grin as I place him on the changing table to change his diaper before we go. “That’s right, baby Coral will be there. Let’s get your butt changed, and we’ll head out.”
“Butt!” he says, and I grimace. I keep forgetting that he repeats or at least tries to repeat everything I say. I’ve cleaned up my mouth for the most part. I guess in the grand scheme of things, it could have been worse. I could have said ass.
“There you go,” I tell him, pulling his shorts back up and placing him on the floor. I grab the diaper bag and toss in some extra diapers, because you can never be too prepared. Check the wipes, make sure we have some toys, his swim trunks, and a couple of extra outfits—just in case—along with pajamas I can change him into before we leave. Because once he’s in the truck after playing all evening, he’ll be lights out. It’s a trick I learned along the way. Never wake a sleeping baby to change their clothes. Just let them sleep in whatever it is until they wake up on their own.
I grab his favorite blanket from his crib and shove it in the bag, too, before tossing it over my shoulder. “All right, little man. Let’s hit the kitchen for a sippy cup and some snacks.” I scoop him up into my arms. I know Landry will have milk there for him, and he has his own drawer of snacks that he can reach. All of my friends spoil him rotten, and I love that he has them.
Ten minutes later, with a stuffed diaper bag sitting on the floorboard, Camden is strapped into his car seat, and we’re on the road.
Chapter Two
Sloane
* * *
It’s Saturday afternoon. A quick glance at the clock tells me it’s been over twenty-four hours since I got the call, and I’ve yet to breathe a word of that conversation to anyone. I knew there was a chance, but I was hopeful that I’d be one of the teachers who made it through untouched.
Budget cuts.
That was the reason I was given. I no longer had a job due to budget cuts. I love what I do. I love my students, and I’m damn good at it, if I do say so myself. None of those things matter, though, when you’re the low man on the totem pole.
“Get it together, Peterson,” I mutter under my breath as I pull into Rowan and Landry’s driveway. Pulling down the visor, I check my face—no visible signs of crying. I gave myself last night to cry and worry. Today is a new day, and lying around crying won’t change the outcome.
Thankfully, I’ll be paid for the remainder of the summer since I opted to have my salary spread out. I have until mid-August to find another job before my funds run dry. I can do that. It’s all going to be okay. Does it suck? Absolutely, but it could be worse, and that’s what I keep reminding myself.
Grabbing my phone, keys, and purse, I climb out of my car, then grab the triple batch of walnut brownies I made for today, and close the door with my hip.
I’m barely on the front porch before the door is being pulled open. Landry grins as he reaches for the brownie container in my hands. “I see how it is.” I laugh—this man and his need for junk food. I'll never know how he manages to stay so fit.
“Sloane, it’s good to see you,” he says, not looking at me. Instead, he’s already lifting the lid of the brownie container and peeking inside.
“Uh-huh.” I chuckle. “Leave some of those for the rest of us.”
“No promises,” he says, laughing, as he closes the door behind us.
“Landry Reynolds!” his wife, Rowan, calls out to him. “Don’t you dare eat all of those brownies.”
“Ro, babe, they’re walnut,” Landry whines.
“I’ll take those,” Reid says, grabbing the container out of his hands.
“You’re just as bad as Landry,” I tease Reid.
“Who, me?” He places his free hand on his chest as if he’s shocked at my words.
