“Maybe so, but HR’s calling everyone in. Mandatory compliance review. One-on-ones. Outside counsel.”
There’s a blustery sigh. “When were you gonna tell me?”
“Just got the email this morning. But… It might not hurt,” I add, “for me to be out of town when my name comes up.”
“I need to be able to get a hold of you,” Sugar says. “We might need another dump.”
A laugh slips out. Bitter. “The ship has internet. I won’t be unreachable. Hell, you’ll know exactly where I am.”
Sugar exhales slowly. “Candy isn’t gonna like this.”
“Candy never likes anything.” I manage a smile that feels carved out of habit. “Besides… what have I got to lose?”
A huff. “More than you think. Watch your back.”
I close my eyes.
“Yeah,” I say quietly. “I know.”
DAY 1, SAIL AWAY
ASHLEY
Ishuffle toward the snaking line at the dock, the boys orbiting me like little planets, Blakey tucked in close, always within reaching distance, Max circling us both like a herding dog. The Port of Los Angeles is bustling, as one would expect, huge shipping vessels towering over the crowds.
My phone, hot in my hand, has been maddeningly silent.
He didn’t show.
Of all the things Beckett’s missed, this one leaves me feeling… shaken.
He promised.It shouldn’t have meant this much, after everything else, but it does.
Luna’ll be so disappointed. Who will walk her down the aisle?
“Holy moly,” Blakey declares with as much gravity as a seven-year-old can manage, eyes widening as he points toward the ship. “We’re gonna be riding onthat?I’ve never seen anything this big in my entire life! It’s HUGE! Like the Avengers’ ship—but even cooler cause it has a water slide!”
Max snorts. “No way. The Helicarrier is, like, way cooler. It flies, Blake.”
“Yeah, well, this one has pools and laser tag, so I think it wins,” Blakey shoots back.
“The Avengers’ ship has missiles.”
“This one has grandma,” Blakey counters, and Max cracks up so hard the people in front of us turn around.
I force a smile, even though I’m really not feeling it.
“Dad will know which one is better,” Blakey insists.
“If he ever gets here.” Max starts walking backwards but I spin him back around so he doesn’t trip on his little rolling suitcase.
I hate to hear that kind of talk from them, like their dad disappointing them is becoming something that’s normal now. It twists that coil of resentment in my heart just that little bit farther, that Beckett’s willing to do this not just to me, but to our boys too. Luckily, Max and Blakey are still young enough that they seem to be able to roll with the punches pretty easily, but that won’t stay true forever.
It never occurred to me that they might have to learn to grow up with an absent father.
One step at a time, Ashley.And right now, that next step is checking in for my baby sister’s weeklong wedding cruise.
Normally, I’d be marveling at the masses of people, incrediblychillpeople, strolling into the ordered chaos occupying the entire length of the dock.
