“What’s so wrong with that?” she asks before taking a long sip of her drink.
“You’ve been in and out of his life since he was born. Sorry if I’m skeptical.”
“I’m not a bad person,” Missy tells me. “I’m a free spirit. You can’t tie me down.”
“That’s supposed to make me feel better about you playing an active role in your son’s life?”
I take a deep breath and hold it, trying to calm the rage simmering just below the surface. That’s her reasoning for being out of Troy’s life? Fuck that. She told me she was pregnant and I made my son my entire life.
Retired from the NFL.
Moved out of Vegas to be closer to my parents.
Gave him the life that he deserved.
A steady parent surrounded by nothing but love and family, even if it’s only me and my parents.
“Can’t you just give me a chance?” Missy asks. “That’s all I’m asking for. Please.”
“Fine,” I bite out. It’s painful to even be considering this, but I have to if I want to stay in control of this situation. “I’ve got plans on Friday night. My nanny will be there, but why don’t you come over then?”
“Friday? I have?—”
“Friday night,” I interject. I’m not letting her say when she’s free. “If you really want to be a part of Troy’s life, you’ll be there.”
Missy gives me a clipped nod. “Fine. Friday night then. What do you need from me?”
“I’ll text you the details. Shouldn’t be too hard. I’ll take care of dinner and then you can play with him until bed. Think you can handle that?”
“Sure. Do I need to change his diaper or anything?”
“Christ, Missy. He’s almost five. He hasn’t worn diapers in years.”
“Sorry.” She throws her hands up. “It’s not like I grew up around kids. You don’t have to be so judgmental.”
“Troy is my son. I have to do what’s best for him.”
“If you’re so worried, why won’t you be there?”
“I don’t think me being around would let you get to know Troy.”
“He’s a daddy’s boy?” she asks.
“Damn right he is.” I can’t help the smile that spreads across my face. Until recently, it’s always been me and Troy. “Besides, I’ll be gone for two hours max.”
“Okay.”
His nanny is one of the few people I trust with him, besides my parents. And with them being gone, maybe Troy might open up to Missy more without me there.
God, I hate that I’m entertaining this idea at all.
We were better off without her. I know we were. Is it bad that I’m hoping she’ll get bored and leave in a few weeks? But the only person that hurts is Troy, leaving me to pick up the pieces.
I hate what this woman brings out in me. It puts me back in that place when we first met and I was a person I didn’t really like.
Now that the details have been sorted, I don’t really needto stick around. Pulling my wallet out of my jeans, I grab a twenty and drop it on the table.
“I’ll let you know what time to come over.”
