All Consuming (Brotherhood by Fire #3) -Jaci Burton Page 0,18
went. Landon always had big plans, big ideas. Maybe buy a franchise, that would work out better. Or start something completely new. We argued all the time about finances. And nothing ever came of all his big ideas. So he’d pick up odd jobs—when he actually worked. In the meantime, I had my business going and I was constantly working. And he often wasn’t. But there was always ‘I’ve got this great new idea’ while I’m working twelve hours a day and trying to take care of a baby. By the time Oliver was four, I knew I was finished. It just took me another couple of years to extricate myself from the marriage.”
He could picture how hard Hannah worked and struggled on her own. It couldn’t have been easy.
“And how did your ex take the divorce?”
She shrugged. “He knew it was coming. He can barely take care of himself now because he can’t hold down a job long enough to get a decent paycheck. He loves Oliver, and I know that, but the idea of a nine-to-five job, to work for someone else? It nearly sends him into a panic. He’s just not built that way. He still wants to own his own business. He just can’t figure out how to make that a reality.”
She sighed. “So, anyway, I left, took Oliver with me, and Landon signed the papers, giving me full custody. I told him he can see Oliver whenever he wants to, and I think that gave him some comfort.”
His heart ached for Hannah. And for her son. That had to be a painful end to what had to be a big dream for her. “I’m so sorry, Hannah.”
“It’s okay. Oliver and I are doing just fine. He’s got me, and he knows I love him. And he’s got my mom now, and he adores her.”
They rounded the corner leading back to the house. “Does he ask about his dad?”
“Sometimes. He knows his dad loves him. He also knows Landon has issues with follow-up that have nothing to do with him. At least as much as a seven-year-old can understand. And maybe someday Landon will get his shit together enough to be a good father, but I don’t hold out much hope.”
That really sucked. Having come from a background of having lousy, deadbeat parents before he was adopted, Kal knew what it was like not to be loved, not to be put first, to be abandoned by someone who should love you. He never wanted any kid to feel that way.
“Every kid should be the light of their parent’s life.”
She nodded. “I think so.”
They got back to the house and went inside.
“I’ll be right back,” she said.
Hannah went to use the bathroom, and Kal washed his hands, got out some plates and cut into the cake. When she came back out, he took the cake over to the table.
Hannah fixed herself a glass of water and brought that to the table.
“I still can’t believe you made cake.”
“I’m a multitalented kind of guy.”
She picked up her fork and looked at him. “Yes, you definitely are.”
She took a bite, swallowed and then smiled. “This is so good.”
“You seem surprised.”
“I’m not. Okay, maybe I am. I still can’t reconcile this new version of you with the guy you used to be. Carefree, a little bit crazy, but definitely not the cook-a-meal kind of guy.”
“Like you said, we grew up.”
“This is true.” She took a bite, swallowed. “You can definitely bake.”
“I’m glad you like it.”
She scooped another forkful. “Who doesn’t like cake?”
“That’s always my question.”
They finished off their cake, then took their plates to the sink to rinse and load into the dishwasher.
Kal placed two more pieces onto a paper plate and covered it with foil. He looked up at Hannah. “For Oliver and your mom.”
“That’s so sweet. Thank you.”
“Sure.” There was enough cake left for Jackson and Becks, so he put a cover on that. “How about a movie?”
“I’d like that.”
He grabbed his beer, and she refilled her glass of wine. He led her into the living room, and they took seats on the sofa. He picked up the remote and turned the TV on.
“If I remember right, you like romantic comedies, suspense, action movies and thrillers.”
“I’m impressed at your recall.”
“I’m just full of surprises.” He scrolled through the list of available movies, and they discussed a few they could watch, finally settling on a thriller.
“I haven’t seen this one,” she said. “But I’ve heard good things.”