“You’ve come a long way to be disappointed. I suggest you fly back to New York and rethink what you’re trying to do. This isn’t the best way to build a long-term relationship with your son, especially if you want visiting rights in the future.”
I want Oz to have a good relationship with his mum, but if he were to live with her, I can’t guarantee he’d get her full attention. If we have joint custody, I can make sure he sees her regularly, not when it takes her fancy.
She’s speechless again because she knows I’m right, plus I have grounds for divorce, and infidelity is not a good look.
“Hey, what’s going on?” Angie asks as she opens the garden door. She stops in her tracks as soon as she spots Chelsea. Ordinarily, I’d be over the moon to see her, but this is bad timing. I’m all too aware that Chelsea will use her visit against me.
“Oh, shit. Sorry, Tommy. I didn’t mean to interrupt. I’m just here to collect Josh. I didn’t realise you had company,” she says.
“Oh my God,” Chelsea shouts. “What is little miss ex-girlfriend doing here?”
I cross my arms over my chest. “You know damn well that Angie lives next door.”
Chelsea smirks sarcastically. “And she comes and goes as she pleases.”
“I’m here to collect my son,” Angie says as if she’s trying to defend herself.
“And even if you weren’t here for Josh, this is Ash and Calla’s home, and you’re part of their family, Angie. You don’t have to justify anything to anyone, especially not her,” I say, turning towards Chelsea, who rolls her eyes.
“Where’s Josh?” Angie asks with urgency in her voice. I don’t blame her for wanting to get out of here.
“Upstairs with Connie.”
“Okay. I’ll just go up and collect him, then I’ll get out of your hair.” Angie marches towards the stairs and mumbles under her breath, “I’m not sure I can bite my tongue where she’s concerned.”
Chelsea places her hands on her hips, pouts her lips and squints her eyes in Angie’s direction. “Considering you’re the one messing with my husband, I think it should be me biting my tongue.”
Angie stops abruptly and turns back on her heels. She’s a little flushed but ready to rumble. “What did you say?”
A sarcastic smile forms across Chelsea’s lips. “Oh, come on. The grieving widow act only works for so long.”
She did not just say that. What a bitch. I still wonder what the hell got into me on the day I married her.
“Chelsea, that’s enough,” I snap and step in front of her. “Get out now. You’re just here to cause trouble.”
I sense Angie at my back. Her gentle hand lands on my shoulder. “No, Tommy. Let her get whatever it is off her chest.”
Angie has no idea what she’s let herself in for, and Chelsea doesn’t hesitate to say exactly what’s on her mind.
She pouts sarcastically. “Well, we’re all adults here, so I’ll say it how I see it. You two have obviously been plotting this for some time. It’s oh so convenient for you to be ‘just next door’.” She air-quotes. “Where are Ash and Calla, anyway?” she asks, looking between us.
“None of your business,” I snap, crossing my arms once again.
“Well, they’re clearly not here. We both know that bitch, Calla, would be butting her nose into our business if she was around, but instead, they’ve left you two love birds to play house.”
My jaw clenches. “Chelsea—” I warn.
She walks around the room like she owns it. “Don’t try to cover it up. You were in love with this bitch way before I came on the scene…”
While Chelsea continues to rant, Angie looks towards me, her eyes wide. I swallow hard. I can’t deny I care about her more than a friend should.
“…It’s a shame it took me so long to see it, but now it’s all so clear. I just can’t believe Scott never spotted it.”
Angie breaks our eye contact and takes a few firm steps towards Chelsea. I catch her arm as she steams past me. I don’t want her to say anything she might regret, but her soft flicker of a smile tells me, she’s got this. My hand drops to my side as Angie takes in a calming breath.
“Don’t you dare talk about my husband like you knew him because you didn’t. You didn’t know him at all.”
I can’t believe my eyes when Chelsea laughs in her face.
