Page 67 of Crave

“You seem happy.”

“I am happy. Is that what you want? Confirmation of my happiness so you can swoop in and take it from me?”

“Don’t be ridiculous. I just want—”

“Stop. Just stop. Remember what you said to me at Mom’s party? That you were done trying to get back in my life? Let’s be done, Troy. I’m done too. No more fighting. No more anger. Let’s just coexist. Nothing more, nothing less.”

“And what about your nephew? The one you just promised to spend time with? The one who hangs on your every word.”

I run a hand through my hair as I contemplate my next words.“I meant what I said to him. If you and Tracy will allow him to spend time with me—”

“We never tried to keep him away from you,” he interrupts.

“If the two of you will allow him to spend time with me, I would like that. He’s a great kid. Emma too, but Tracy probably won’t let that happen.”

“Why do you insist on making Tracy this horrible person? When the adoption is finalized, you’ll be Emma’s uncle. She knows this, and Emma’s been through enough in her short life. She needs stability, and she needs family. The more people who love her, the better.”

“Troy, remember what I said about being done? I’m going to lead by example and not go in on you or your wife. Stop interrupting me and let me finish what the hell I was saying. If the two of you allow me to see the kids, I would be happy to. You can drop them off at Mom and Dad's. We can coordinate with Dad.”

“Dad will not be your go-between,” our father says as he steps inside the house. “You are adults, you can coordinate on your own. You can meet at the house, but you will have to figure out the when and the how between the two of you. I’m not a damn social worker.”

I know what he’s doing. He’s forcing us to have to interact outside of the office. I’m about to call him out on it, but Sandy walks in. She looks between the two of us, her eyes resting on me. She walks over and grabs my face, searching my eyes. She only relaxes when I smile at her and plant a soft kiss on her lips.

“Tristan is eagerly waiting for you out there.” I turn around to see him staring inside the sliding glass door. When he sees me looking at him, he laughs and waves excitedly at me. He waves as if he wasn’t sitting next to me just ten minutes ago. “You okay? Did anyone upset you?” The question is directed at me, but her eyes are on Troy.

“We’re fine. Just trying to figure out things for tomorrow. Are you dropping the kids off or not, Troy?” I want to say more. I want to tell him there’s no way I’d step foot in his goddamn house, but I just told him I wanted to be done. On top of that, I don’t want to upset Sandy or make her any more uncomfortable than she already is.

“I can drop them off. Just text me the time.”

“Not happening.” I turn to Sandy. “Noon good for you, baby? Maybe we can go pick up your niece and nephew and make a day of it.” When she nods, I turn back to Troy. “Noon.”

“Anything I can bring, Mr. Clark?”

“It’s Josh, and just bring yourself and my son.”

“Okay.” She turns back to me. “They’re putting out dessert. The kids are waiting for you so we can all build our own sundaes.”

I put my arm across her shoulders.

“Let’s go have some ice cream, and then let’s get out of here. I want you all to myself.”

CHAPTER 23

SANDY

“So, you still live here then?” I barely have time to close my car door before I hear Tash’s voice. I sigh tiredly as I grab my duffel bag from the back seat.

“According to the mortgage payments. And stop being dramatic. I was only gone for two days, and we picked up and dropped off your kids yesterday.” She laughs as she walks over to me, hooks her arm through mine, and steers me toward her house, the smell of dinner reminds me of my empty stomach.

“How was work today?” Tash asks as she puts food on the table. My mouth waters as I see salmon, mashed potatoes, and a platter of mixed veggies. I hug the twins and laugh as they call the fish gross. Tash rolls her eyes at them as she sets a kid’s table for them.

“Long day,” is all I say.

“Now that we got that out of the way, what your sister wants to know is how your weekend with your new boo was. Thanks for taking the kids yesterday, by the way.” Chris gets the kids situated at their table and joins me and Tash, who hands me a glass of wine.

“It was great,” I say, taking a huge sip. “His parents are wonderful, and so is his extended family. I don’t think they have issues with me.”

“Why would they?” Tash asks, a bit defensively.

---