My phone buzzes in my pocket, and her timing couldn’t be worse. I can’t speak to Angie while I’m so fucking riled up. I’ll have to call her later when my temper is calm. I’m not exactly in a position to give her words of encouragement on the subject of love right now, if ever. I don’t need to add any more anger to my fire.
If I had to be honest, I’m not surprised by anything Chelsea does. What does hurt me is how someone I considered a friend would betray me in the worst way possible. I was the one who gave Dylan a chance years ago when I got his band a spot on our tour. If only I’d known what he was capable of.
I wonder how many of our friends on the tour had any idea. Not Ash, I know that for sure. He wouldn’t hide that from me and when I told him, it blew his mind too. I wasn’t the last to know. I suppose I should be thankful for that.
So, my plan now is to clear my mind, spend time with Ozzie, and tomorrow, fly to the UK. I’m taking Ash up on his offer and we’re staying with him and his family for a while. Max will be there too, so it’s crucial that I get my head together before I see him again. This whole shit show isn’t his fault, and I want him to realise that I wouldn’t know how to handle the situation if I was in his shoes. I don’t want him to feel bad.
Two things I haven’t done yet. One, let my wife know about my travel plans, but if Chelsea had any inclination to be with Ozzie, she would have been in touch by now, or at leastpicked up when I tried to call. Secondly, I haven’t confronted her about Dylan yet.
“Hey, bud. How about you and I go on an adventure?” I say to Oz the night before our flight. He’s clearing up his Lego while I make dinner.
“Yes!” he squeals. “Where shall we go, Daddy?”
“Uncle Ash said we could stay with him for a while, but we’ve got to fly all the way to England. What do you think?”
“Yes please, but—” His face drops a little. “Will Josh be there?”
“I hope we get to see him,” I say truthfully. I still haven’t caught up with Angie. Her phone constantly goes straight to voicemail. “Why? What’s up?”
He huffs. “I like Zoe and Esme and Zara, but…”
“Go on, bud. You can tell me.”
“Girls are bossy and I’m the only boy.”
I chew the side of my bottom lip. He’s got that right. Ash’s girls are great, but I imagine to a five-year-old boy, they’re pretty scary. “Don’t worry about it. You will definitely spend some time with Josh, okay?”
He nods. “Okay.”
“Why don’t you clear up the rest of your Lego, then we’ll start packing.”
“Is Mom coming with us?”
Shit, I was not prepared for that question.
“Not this time, buddy.”
He scratches his head. “Why not?”
What the hell do I tell him? He thinks she went to stay with a friend, and for now, I’ve got to go with that. I have nothing else. He hasn’t seen her in nearly a week. “Mum is staying with her friend for a while longer, but guess what?”
“What?” he squeals.
“Connie is coming with us.”
“Yay!”
Thank God he loves his nanny. Connie is currently on a night out and won’t be home tonight.
“Now, get your backpack from your wardrobe and start packing a few toys.”
“Okay, Daddy.” Oz runs off towards his room but is soon back with a look of disappointment on his face. “Umm.” He looks around the lounge, with his finger against his lips. “I can’t find Mr Potato Head,” he says, with tears forming in his eyes.
“Hey, guys,” Connie calls from the hall. “What’s going on?”
“Connieeeeeeeeee.” Oz runs towards her and hugs her legs.
“Hey, what are you doing here?” I ask her. “I wasn’t expecting you until the morning.”
