“You know this is going to be a mess,” I mutter.
“Why?” she asks, though she already knows.
I give her a look.
“My mom,” I say. “With not only Dad. But Manuel.”
She makes a small face. “We can’t ask Manuel to leave, Logan. He’s been watching the boys too when we drop them off at your dad’s.”
“Don’t remind me.” I exhale through my nose. “I feel like an asshole every time I drop them there.”
“Well,” she says lightly, “your mom’s barely ever in town. And daycare closes at eight.”
“It’s not that easy.”
She turns toward me slightly. “It never is.”
“It’s bad enough everyone thinks Dad left Mom for a man,” I say. “Inviting them to the same family event just-”
“Your dad didn’t leave your mom for Manuel,” she cuts in gently. “They got together years after the divorce.”
I don’t answer choosing to stay quiet till we turn into our driveway.
People are already milling around, thankfully Jess asked Macki to stay at the house so she could let the early comers in.
Through the side gate, we head into the backyard. I immediately clock the damage. The grass I mowed yesterday is already being flattened under dress shoes and stroller wheels.
It’s fine when Bell and Ty tear it up. It’s their house.
These people?
“Stop scowling,” Jess mutters, jabbing a finger into my side.
I give her a fake smile.
She narrows her eyes. “Go back to scowling,” she says under her breath, then disappears toward the food table to greet someone she definitely knows and I absolutely do not.
I stand there a second, hands on my hips, watching strangers trudge across my lawn like it’s public property.
“Logan.”
I stiffen slightly before turning.
My dad stands a few feet away, hands in his pockets. Manuel beside him.
Manuel gives me a small nod. He looks nervous, glancing around like someone’s about to jump him.
“Nice turnout,” Dad says.
“Yeah,” I reply. “Jess planned most of it.”
He nods like that tracks. There’s an awkward beat before he asks, “Where are the kids?”
“Mom’s driving them,” I say, immediately wishing the ground would open up and swallow me whole.
“Oh.” He clears his throat. “Um… where’s the gift table?”
I stare at the giant pink box Manuel is holding and point to the table Jess made me move three separate times for “better flow.”
