He nods with a pout and gives her another squeeze before she puts him down.
“I can’t wait to hear all your news, my beautiful boy,” she tells him while giving me the side eye.
Connie takes Oz’s hand and is about to lead the boys out of the room.
“Max, can you go with them?” I ask.
“Sure, man.”
“No, there’s no need,” Connie says defensively.
“I know, but it would make me feel better,” I tell her.
“And I might say something I regret if I don’t get away from this bitch, so you’re doing me a favour, Connie,” Max adds.
“If you must,” she agrees, but she isn’t happy as she leads the boys away.
I wave to Oz and wait until they’ve left the room completely. I don’t want them to hear this conversation.
“What do you want, Chelsea?”
“I came for my son.”
So, she does want joint custody. She’s a little early for her turn if that’s the case. “The month isn’t over yet.”
Her lips twist together before she says, “You misunderstand me. I want him permanently.”
I laugh out loud. “Please tell me you’re not serious.”
“My lawyer seems to think the court will be on my side seeing as you’re on tour so much. It’s not fair to leave Oz on his own.”
“Jesus, get with it, Chelsea. Didn’t you hear? We’re a band member down and not touring anywhere right now. Even if we were, I’d never leave Oz behind, especially not with you. In case you haven’t realised, Connie comes everywhere with us now and I have it on good authority that she was looking after him full-time while I was away. You’ve been MIA more times than not.”
“And I supposeshetold you that herself.”
“Nope,” I lie, but her reaction tells me all I need to know.
She turns scarlet. “What the hell are you implying?”
“Nothing,” I say sarcastically. “I’m telling you a hardfact. I wasn’t the only parent absent during our world tour. Where were you, Chelsea?”
Her mouth opens and closes as she struggles to find the words.
“Okay, let’s put it another way. Did you fool around behind my back, because I’ve been doing a little digging, and guess what I found?” I raise my brows, knowing full well what her answer should be.
“If you’re implying, I’ve been unfaithful, you’re wrong.”
“Am I?” I reply with a measured tone, but I’m feeling anything but calm inside. “Are you and Dylan Jennings together? It’s just that I checked out a few dates, and the nights you went missing in action, Dylan’s band wasn’t our support act.”
Her mouth drops, and she looks away.
“Are you seeing him or not?”
“No, of course not.” She turns her back on me, keeping her focus on the window. I can’t hold my anger in any longer and lose it as I follow her.
“That’s bullshit.”
Spinning around to face me head on, she stuns me again. “We’re getting off track. I came here to take my son home, and that’s what I intend to do.”
