Deirdre groans. “Why would you mention his name? He was such a jackass.”
Actually, he was more than that. Stocky, loud, and full of himself, the type of guy who walks into a room like he’s got something to prove. I couldn’t stand the son of a bitch.
But I chalked it up to resentment that the woman who was once my wife was now happily screwing another man.
I chuckle at her disgusted expression. “Look, I hated the guy, but he was good to Theo. I saw that firsthand. He was a royal asshat, but he would never let anything happen to our son.”
She considers my statement before nodding. “That’s true. Theo loved him.”
“He did, which I hated even more. How the fuck was my hammer and tool belt supposed to compete with a fire engine? Come on.”
Deirdre drops her towel and climbsback into the hot tub, wineglass in tow. “Don’t worry. No one will ever be as cool as Daddy.”
“Don’t know about that,” I mutter. “How about we set something up? You meet Kiki. Get a feel for her.”
Deirdre arches a brow, already rolling her eyes. “You think I’m going to like her?”
“Honestly, damned if I know.” I run a hand over my jaw, biting back a laugh. “I hope you do.”
She snorts at my brutal honesty. “Just know I’m not looking to be buddies with your girlfriend.”
“Didn’t say you had to be.”
“Fine.” She waves me off. “We’ll figure something out.”
That’s about as close to a yes as I’m going to get.
I glance toward the house and back to her. “We good?”
She leans her head against the edge of the tub, her eyes drifting closed. “We’re good. Have fun tonight.”
I find Theo on his bedroom floor, crouched over his backpack like he’s preparing to smuggle state secrets across enemy lines.
Except the contraband is dinosaurs. A crap ton of dinosaurs. So many dinosaurs, the zipper doesn’t stand a fighting chance.
I lean against the doorframe and watch him try to wrestle it closed before dropping into a squat beside him.
“All right, little man. I don’t think you need the entire Paleolithic era with you this weekend.”
Theo looks up at me with those big round eyes, and I know exactly what he’s doing with that look.
Not happening, dude.
I point a finger at him. “Nope. Don’t give me that.”
He blinks. Slowly. Innocently.
Oh, he’s good, but I’m still not buying it.
“Pick three,” I tell him. “And don’t forget, you’ve got a dozen waiting for you at my place.”
His gaze flicks to the bag, then back to me, doing the math.
“That’s what… fifteen total? Plus, your game system. I’d say that’s more than fair.”
Theo chews his lip, considering this life-altering decision, and sighs. “Fine.”
The trials and tribulations of being six.
