I laughed out loud. “That’s what you get for stopping by a man’s place without calling.”
“Carter, he’s not a man.”
“He’s almost nineteen and in college. If he’s being responsible with his bills and passing his classes, we can’t take his apartment away after we allowed him to have it.”
“I signed that lease, and I don’t mind breaking it. He can’t have girls spending the night. He’s too young.”
“What did you think would happen, allowing him his own apartment when we know he already loves the girls? You know damn well that at that age, I was having sex. And so was your husband, who wasn’t better than me when dealing with girls back then. I’ll talk to E and make sure he’s using condoms and not out there bad. After that, there’s nothing else we can do tostop him now that he’s had a taste of the kitty cat. You need to stop tripping.”
“And what if I caught Elle with a boy?” She taunted.
I bristled at the thought of anyone remotely trying to hit on her. She was too confident and pretty not to have already had male interest, though she’d never had a boyfriend too focused on track. “If you ever do, I never want to hear about it. As far as I’m concerned, she’s a nun until the day I stop breathing.”
She laughed louder. “You and Grey ain’t worth shit. He had the same attitude about E and got pissed when I mentioned Elle in the same situation.”
“We really not,” I agreed and smiled. Glad that at least she and I could be friendly toward each other, and that, as much as I wanted to hate Grey since he stole Darren’s heart before I could, I actually liked him. He’d been good to our children and kind to me when he didn’t have to be. “How is Grey?”
“Good. Married life has been good.” Her dimples were on deep display. “He loves that Elle decided to stay with us instead of moving into a dorm. She might be more competitive than he was. Between her natural gift of running and watching your strong work ethic when she was growing up, she’s more than up for the challenge to be a star athlete.”
I beamed at her rare praise. “Thank you for that.”
“It’s the truth. You were the first man to love and guide her. Figured I owed you a compliment for putting E in his place without making the situation worse. Matter of fact...” Her eyes narrowed, and she studied my face for what seemed like a long time.
“What? Is there something on my face?” I patted my mouth and beard.
“You met someone. You’re glowing.” She clapped her hands in delight. “Tell me.”
“My children are in the car.” I started backing up, though I couldn’t stop the smile. “You’ll meet her soon enough, and you’ll like her.”
“Can’t wait.” Darren followed behind me to the door. “How are you really? I still worry about you and hope you’re really okay.”
Turning, I bent to kiss her cheek. “I’m in a good place. Learning to forgive myself for my mistakes and being a better man. Maybe I met this woman when I did because of the place I’m already in.”
She stepped back, and a soft smile graced her face. “Maybe.”
Darren and I will always have a connection beyond our children. She was my first love, and though I wasn’t hers, once upon a time she loved me deeply. Our divorce and co-parenting had been amicable because of our connection and our desire to see the other truly happy.
“Kani’s outside. Come speak.”
“Elle told me he sprained his ankle playing football with you.” She lifted a brow. “Glad it wasn’t worse.”
Opening the door, I shook my head. “I hear the censure in your voice. He’s still a boy who loves sports like his brother and me. And I was the one who insisted that we go to the ER to make sure it wasn’t worse.” I wanted to add that it was meant for me to bring him to the hospital, or I wouldn’t have met the possible future Mrs. St. Patrick.
“Alright. Alright. I’ll leave it alone.” Darren walked into the sun ahead of me and stopped short.
“What?” I almost bumped into her.
Ethyn was leaning against his Jeep Wrangler while Elle and Sekani were outside my car, glaring at him.
Darren touched my arm briefly. “Remember your temper before you hurt him.”
“I got this,” I reassured her and instructed my other children. “Go inside with Darren. Ethyn apparently has something to say to me.”
“We need to go, Daddy. We already tried to talk to him. Nobody got time for this. Leave him here if he doesn’t want to go with us.” Elle complained as she stomped into the house. A sullen Sekani glanced at Ethyn and me before he walked inside the house behind Darren and his sister.
“Whatever you need to say, I’m listening.” I kept my arms by my side, though I wanted to fold them or ball my fists. I didn’t want to intimidate him or lay hands on him.
Yet.
