Page 191 of Mr. Infuriating

Britt asked, “Can I answer the door?”

I nodded with a solemn smile. “You may answer the door,” then braced myself to see the sexy carpenter.

We only had one more tutoring session before summer, and I wouldn’t see him for three months.

As much as I hated the idea, I admitted, it was probably for the best. It might give my heart some time to heal.

I heard Britt call, “Uh, Ms. Kelly?”

Followed by a voice I recognized snarl, “Her name isMrs. Wainwright.”

Son of a bitch.

I slid my chair away from the table and told Brayden, “Keep working; I’ll be right back.”

Troy stood in the foyer glaring at me, while Brittany held Jake protectively on her hip out of arm’s reach from him.

I didn’t want to have a faceoff in front of the kids, so I grabbed Troy’s elbow, stepped to the side, and harshly whispered, “What are you doing here, Troy?”

“I thought I’d stop and see you guys. I told you, I’m going to get my little family back, Gretch.”

I ignored the part where he said he was going to get us back. That wasn’t happening.

“And I told you yesterday that you can’t just show up unannounced. I’mworking.”

“How was I supposed to know that?”

“You weren’t. Hence, the reason you call and schedule something in advance.”

“I’m not going to make an appointment to see my son, Gretch.”

His ballsiness took me aback.

“Actually, if you want to see him at all, yes you will.”

I didn’t want to get in a pissing contest with him, so I tried to soften my tone. “If I know you’re coming, I can get him ready to see you.”

“I don’t care what he’s wearing.”

I took a deep breath through my nose and willed myself to remain calm.

“Mentally. Get him ready mentally.”

His scowl indicated he did not like the idea of Jake having to mentally prepare to see his dad.

“As far as he’s concerned, you’re a stranger. He doesn’t know you anymore, Troy.”

He announced, “There’s no time like the present,” and barged past me.

“Hey, Jakester!” He held out his hands, like that was supposed to make him more welcoming as he approached where Brittany had moved Jake into the family room. “Come here and see your dad.”

Jake clung to Britt’s leg and looked the other way, and I noticed Troy’s face had turned red. I wasn’t in the mood for this shit.

“Now is not the time. I have clients,” I hissed.

He looked over at Brayden, who was now watching the scene intently, then at Britt, then back at me.

“Fine,” he bit out. “I’ll pick you up tomorrow at five-thirty,” then spun on the ball of his heel and stormed toward the front door but paused to look at me over his shoulder.

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