“Put on your shoes, buddy. You and your mom are coming to robotics.”
His statement made me freeze in place. JoJo didn’t even flinch. When did he ever? Cameron didn’t notice the growing tension between us as he turned and went to get his shoes. As soon as he was out of ear shot, I turned my attention back to Jordy.
“I’m not going anywhere with you. You shouldnothave come here, Jordy,” I hissed.
“It’s Monday, Harper. I told you I was coming. I decided to show up before class because I knew your stubborn ass wouldn’t let him come. Seeing you pick him up this afternoon only confirmed it.”
“You shouldn’t have come here,” I repeated in case his hardheaded ass wasn’t listening.
“Stop being stubborn, Harper. It’ll be good for our little genius.”
Jordy’s referral to Cam as ours made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. I opened my mouth to further my argument. When my eyes moved to my son, whose little hands were fumbling to put on his shoes, my chest tightened. I whipped my head back around to Jordy.
“Fine. Cameron can go with you because you’ve gotten his hopes up, but I’m not going anywhere with you,” I said through clenched teeth.
JoJo was way too pleased with himself right now. I wanted to shake him for that smug ass grin on his face, but I wouldn’t give him the pleasure.
“You know you’ll be worried about him if you don’t go. You’re going. You ready, little guy?” he asked Cam.
“Yes, sir,” Cam responded, standing to his feet.
“I’ll go, but don’t start getting any ideas. I’m only going because I don’t want to send him with you anywhere alone.”
“That only works in my favor.” I wanted to roll my eyes at the adorable smile plastered on Jordy’s face, but instead, I turned to my son.
“Come on, Mom. This is about to be so fun. Doctor JoJo knows how to make a robot that moves.”
Seeing the joy on my son’s face almost made my surrender worth it, even if I had to spend time with Jordy. I shook my head as I accepted my fate.
“Let me grab my keys. Get a jacket, Cameron.”
“OK,” my son said, springing to his feet and dashing to his room, leaving me and Jordy alone in the living room.
“You used our name,” he noted as he followed me deeper into the living room.
Jordy and I used to say we would name our children James and Cameron after our favorite movie director, James Cameron. That way his name would start with a J and carry on his family tradition. Although Jordy and I were no longer together when I had my son, I used the name anyway.
“I saw your crazy ass brother the other day,” I said, rolling my eyes and hoping to change the subject as I walked over and picked up the discarded checkbook from the table.
“He told me. You made dinner plans, right?” Jordy asked, dropping his eyes to my lips before they flickered back up to my waiting eyes.
“He said some crazy things, as usual, and I shot it down. I have enough sense not to get tied up in his foolishness anymore.”
“Go, baby. Let him show you a good time. I’m sure you could use it, and I’m more than sure you deserve it.”
“I’m not getting entangled with you or your psychotic brother, JoJo.”
“Don’t be like that, beautiful. You know he misses you. Give him a chance to apologize.”
“And what about you?” I quizzed, tilting my head.
“I figured you might be more receptive to what he has to say. You’re stressed out right now. I need you relaxed when I get to you. All I want is your undivided attention when I explain how I plan to love and worship you for the rest of our lives.”
“You’re still so full of yourself.” I laughed. Before he could respond, his eyes fell to my hand where my unbalanced checkbook was clutched. “Give me that,” I said, when he snatched the checkbook from my hand.
“What do you need, Harper?”
“Jordy, give me my checkbook and get out of my house. I didn’t invite you in as it is.”
