Shock - Marie Johnston Page 0,57
first weekend we did normal stuff together. “You did some shopping?”
“Ford wanted—”
“I thought I should have some extra clothes here for him.” I don’t mean to talk over Lia. The bedroom isn’t a secret, but I’m hesitant to tell Cass. Telling her that I’m making room for our son shouldn’t affect anything, but…what if it does? “Here, I’ll help you load up.”
“No, I got it.” Cass takes the bag and slings it over her other shoulder. “I have my system. Say bye to Daddy.”
Jayden waves to us and I watch them go. Cass straps him into her little red SUV and tosses the overnight bag on the floor. She gets into the driver’s seat, puts on large aviator shades, and drives off. I wave just in case Jayden’s watching us from his rear-facing seat.
Lia doesn’t move from my side the entire time. “You don’t want her to know about the bedroom?”
I step inside and shut the door, but my gaze burns into the wood, my mind working. I don’t regret getting Jayden’s room ready. If I don’t get to see him much, I still won’t undo the work I’ve done.
But there’s no reason he shouldn’t be at my place, using his room. There’s no reason I can’t have more weekends filled with family that supports me and my kids. More weekends where it’s my girlfriend sleeping over even when my son’s also sleeping over. Days and nights when I take Jayden to Mom’s to swim and get grandma time. Times when he just comes grocery shopping with me.
There’s no reason time with my son should be dependent on what Cass approves of in my personal life.
My biological father had no interest in me or my life, and my stepfather didn’t think I was worth getting to know that well. Jayden needs to know that I’ll fight for him and that no matter what the outcome is, he’s worth it. My son will never have to prove he’s better than me. I’ll never make him feel like he’s failing some bogus test from a deadbeat stepdad. But I can’t make that happen by debating when the best time to ask Cass to see him is.
“I think it’s time I check on custody.”
Chapter 16
Lia
Nerves ripple through my stomach as Ford parks in front of a stucco flat with brick red trim. Bikes lie on the front lawn and there’s a green and black soccer ball in the bushes that flank the front door.
“You look like you’re ready to bolt.” Ford cuts the engine and we sit outside Ryan’s house.
“I’m not.” I’m lying. I enjoy being around Ford’s family. But I’ve only met them each once, one at a time. This is a large group of people who have a long history.
I’ve been to tons of functions with large groups. Those were a huge part of my life. But I didn’t have a history with any of them. I was primed to say the right things. I told politicians, reporters, and donors what they wanted to hear and that was that. They forgot me as quickly as I forgot them.
I can’t do that here. I don’t have a statement to read from or talking points to hit or a script I’m required to recite. Whether it’s telling reporters about the platform my mother’s running on, or telling a patient I’m Lia from Sunnyville EMS and I’m here to help, I knew what to say.
I don’t know what to say today. These people are important to Ford. I like them. And if things between Ford and me keep going the way they are, they’re going to be part of my future.
“Mom’s coming, but I don’t see her car here yet.”
“I wish we could’ve brought Jayden.” Cass’s parents have a conference in Melville so she’s driving there to visit and taking Jayden. Of course.
A cloud crosses his face. “Me, too. But I got him last weekend. I’ll promise Karoline to call her when he’s over next so she can see him.”
Ford’s gaze flicks beyond me a moment before someone knocks on the window.
I jump, my hand flying to my heart. I thought I had nerves of cast iron but today is proving that wrong. I swivel around in my seat. “Mitch?”
His wife, Samantha, is standing next to him, grinning and holding a container with what I hope is the famous brownies she brought to last year’s company potluck.
I open the door and Ford leans over to ask, “What are you doing here?”
“Samantha used to watch