Page 6 of Starting Over with You
When Stratford is busy with his parents, Ash leans in. “Are you going after this?”
I nod sadly. “Yeah. With you boys leaving in the morning for Connecticut, and since you won’t let me come make sure you’re settled, I figured I’d leave too.”
Flint nods. “Mom, you already got our apartment set up. What else is there to do?”
He’s right, but still, I feel guilty. We went last week to furnish and make sure their apartment near campus was everything Stratford said it was. They’re only a three-minute walk to the rink, and I know the boys will flourish on their own. I made sure to pay their rent for the whole year with Stratford’s money. Still, I feel like I should go with them, just for a second glance, but neither of them is having that.
“You’re right. I guess I’m not ready to say see you later.” A sob bubbles out of me, and I hate how weak I’m being. “Maybe I should just come with you two. I can make sure you’re fed, clean, and everything. I’m not really ready to hang up my hockey mom hat.”
Ash laughs. “Mom, that hat doesn’t come off.”
I smile sweetly at him. “But for real—when it’s time for girls, all you gotta do is put a sock on the door, and I’ll go somewhere else.”
Ash grimaces as Flint laughs. “Mom, come on,” Ash groans and I shrug.
“I’ll be a great roommate.”
Flint wraps an arm around me as Ash leans his head on mine. “We don’t want a roommate, Mom. We want our mom to be happy.”
Flint nods. “It’s time for the KenleighColburnEra.”
The use of my maiden name has my nose stinging.
I’ll no longer share a last name with them, and that’s the only thing that makes me sad.
I don’t want any part of Stratford Robbins.
But the kids are right. It’s past time for the Kenleigh Colburn era.
I just don’t know if I remember how to be as carefree as she was.
CHAPTER
TWO
Dean
“Respond to the town library. Raccoons got in through the book drop, started a turf war with the therapy cats, and knocked over an aromatherapy candle. Romance section is on fire, and the raccoons are fornicating on the shelves, according to poor Miss Alice.”
I can’t help but guffaw loudly as all the dad jokes come to me at once.
Wagner Bellamy glances over at me with a knowing look. “Don’t, Cap.”
I blink innocently. “But doesn’t it sound…smoldering?”
My young chief isn’t impressed, nor is he ever. He’s a stoic fella, good kid, but I don’t think he knows how to have fun. He lets out a long-winded sigh as he turns on the lights on the fire truck, not even acknowledging how funny I am. The sirens ring through the small town of Thistlebrook, Tennessee, while I text my daughter. Wagner may not be impressed with my joke, but I know Skyye will be.
Skyye
Dad, you did not say that to Wagner. Did he laugh, even a small bit?
Me
He didn’t even smile.
Skyye
He’s so hopeless.
