Page 57 of Crave Thy Neighbor

I smile but don’t say anything.

Luckily, my phone buzzes against the table before she can keep pressing the subject.

#1 Kid: Dad wants to know if you can pick me up early today??

I try not to be annoyed it’s Sam texting me and not his father. Patrick always makes Sam be the one to contact me. Ridiculous because the man always has his phone attached to his ear. I know he knows how to use it just fine.

Me: You know I’m always ready for you to come home. But what’s up?

#1 Kid: He says he has a lunch meeting he forgot about in Jonesville at 12 and has to leave soon.

“What’s up?” River asks. “Sam?”

“Yeah. Patrick needs me to come get him early.”

She glances at the time on her phone. “That’s fine. I can cover the boutique by myself for a bit.”

Oh crap.My shift. That means Sam will be home most of the day alone with Nolan.

I mean, they have to spend time together sometime, right? I just hoped it wouldn’t be so soon.

Me: That’s fine. I’ll leave now.

#1 Kid: Dad says thanks.

I try not to roll my eyes.Of course he does.I’m picking up his slack yet again.

“Well, I guess breakfast is over then.” I push my plate across the table, then reach into my purse. I toss five bucks on the table for Darlene. “I need to get back to the apartment and change so I can head straight to the store once I pick him up.”

“Don’t worry about it,” River reassures me as I hop off my stool. “Take your time. I’m sure you’re dying to see your kiddo anyway.”

I really am.

As glad as I am Patrick and I were able to work out a custody arrangement, I miss Sam so much when he spends a week at his father’s.

“Thank you,” I tell her. I round the table and press a kiss to her cheek. “You’re the best.”

“I know. Tell my asshole nephew I don’t forgive him for that move he pulled last night.”

“Huh?”

She lifts her phone. “Little twerp sent his clan to attack me when my old ass was sleeping. He nearly cost me the game.”

I laugh. Sometimes I forget River plays some game with Sam. They’ve been battling each other for like two years now. “I can’t believe you’re still playing with him.”

“I’ll play until one of us perishes.”

My eyes widen.

“In the game!” she amends, laughing. Then she shoos me away. “Go get your hellion.”

“Son of a…” I stomp my foot against the hard concrete, ignoring the pain shooting up my leg. “You have to be freakin’ kidding me!”

My words echo around the parking garage as I stare down at the flat tire I have.

“Things couldn’t go right for more than one week, could they?” I mutter to nobody but myself.

It’s a Sunday and all the repair shops are closed, which sucks because of course I never replaced my spare from the last time I had a flat tire.

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