Page 51 of Takedown

I hold in my snort. As if she hasn’t besmirched her own name.

“I’m sure you did that all by yourself, sweetheart. And you also look well. Nice hairdo. Too bad it doesn’t hide your horns. By the way, how’s the house?” He pops a chip in his mouth, but that does nothing to hide his satisfied smile. It widens when Diane takes a defensive step back.

“I see you’re as big of a jerk as ever.”

“And I see that you’re as miserable as ever.”

“Can we not do this now?” Jason asks.

I lean against the table, cross my arms and watch the dynamics of the family I married into.

“All your father has to do is behave, and we won’t.”

“All your mother has to do is leave. Why are you here anyway, Diane? I know you’ve always had your hooks deep in Jason, but Mellie can’t stand you on your best day.”

I eat a disgusting chip and wait for Diane’s response. Jason runs a hand over his face and sighs loudly.

“You’ll say anything to hurt me.”

“I’d have to care about you to hurt you, Diane. Just leave Mellie alone. She was already dealt a bad hand in the mother department. She’s in a good place now, so don’t come over here and shit all over it.”

“I don’t need you to tell me how to be a parent.”

“When it comes to our daughter, you do. I don’t think Adam will put up with your bullshit.”

Diane’s head pops up at the mention of my name. She purses her lips and turns her attention back to William. “Look at you, William. Father of the year. It must be great to swoop in and be a father now. Where the hell were you when I was raising our two children?”

“I was there, working two jobs. Never said I was father of the year. I made plenty of mistakes, so go ahead and judge me. I own my mistakes, Diane. Do you?” The last comment from Williams seems to have left her speechless.

She opens her mouth to speak, but nothing comes out. She closes her mouth, spins on her heels, and walks to the opposite end of the room. I wish she’d leave but being far away from me works too. William looks, winks and says, “You’re welcome.”

“Did you have to say all of that to her, Dad?” Jason asks. “She’s had a rough time lately.”

“That’s just karma giving her a kick in her judgmental rear end. Enough about her. Come make me another one of those drinks. Come on, Adam. I think you and I will get along great.”

While Jason makes a fresh batch of frozen margaritas, I lean against the kitchen counter and stare at Mel. She’s oblivious to my stare and points at something on Uncle Finn’s phone. Then she looks up, and our eyes lock. She blushes, but she blows me a kiss and looks away.

The phone in my pocket vibrates, and I say a silent curse before reluctantly pulling my eyes away from my wife in that short skirt. They’ve started reaching out again.

He’s been leaving texts this time.

Unknown number – I’ll be in Boston next month. I want to meet.

The fucking audacity of these people.

Me – No.

Since everyone I care about is here, I shut off my phone and put it in my pocket.

“You okay?” Mel asks, sliding beside me. “You looked at your phone and frowned.”

“Spam,” is all I say. “Junk texts. I unsubscribed.” My voice sounds high to my own ears, but she seems to buy my lie. She nods and reaches around me for a slice of pizza.

“Our party’s a hit,” she says.

“Our first of many.”

It’s many hours later when our last guests leave. It was fun to see the usually put together Dr. Jason Dupree get drunk off the martinis Mel made. I had to help him down the stairs, and it made me happy to see his wife irritated with him. He couldn’t even take off his shoes when I practically carried him into his bedroom. After making sure he was in bed, I left him to his angry spouse.

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