Page 29 of Announcing Love
Artem hesitated before stepping forward and shaking her hand. “Artem.”
“My fiancé,” Tip added with a hint of warning in his voice. She wouldn’t be insulting him in any way.
She smiled. “That’s amazing to hear.” Her smile fell away as she eyed Artem. “Wait. You’retheArtem. The artist. I recently went to an auction with my friend, and she bought one of your pieces. It was a moon and when you shine the light thing on it, it’s being held up by a god.”
“Yep. That’s me.”
“Oh, my goodness. You’re so talented.”
“Thank you.” Artem looked uncomfortable with all the praise.
Tip kissed his temple. “Why don’t you get back to Jathan? He’s probably wondering where you went.”
Artem flashed him a grateful-looking smile. “Okay.” He focused on Tip’s mom. “It was nice meeting you.”
“You too.”
With a final wave, Artem left them alone. Tip couldn’t recall the last time he felt so apprehensive. He hated that he couldn’t trust his own mother any longer, but he couldn’t. His shoulders squared, preparing for the inevitable manipulation and brow beating.
“Wow, Tip. He’s beautiful.”
“Why are you here, Mom? I told you we were done.”
He didn’t miss her flinch, as if he slapped her. Tip hated that he felt any guilt. It wasn’t fair. “I got a job.”
Tip nodded. He didn’t know what she hoped to hear.
She moved to pet Ginger. “I took some of our things to an auction house and it turned out they needed someone to help them catalogue things. It’s pretty easy work.”
Tip simply stared at her. What did she expect?
“Miranda kicked out Kyle and got a job at a daycare. She gets to take Caleb to work with her.”
He was glad to hear Caleb was in daycare. The kid needed some structure. He had always thought Caleb would be such a nightmare when he started school, Tip would have to pay for private school just so he’d be allowed to go. Miranda kicking Kyle out was a little hard to believe.
“I hadn’t told you, because Kyle was always up my ass every time we spoke. No doubt he worried I’d tell you about all his schemes. Anyhow, each car you bought stayed in only Miranda’s name. She controlled all the money too. It was always her plan to get as financially secure as possible before going to war with Kyle for custody of Caleb. She kept letting him pull the car bullshit because she planned to sell all of them once he was gone. Of course, once she filed for divorce, he didn’t fight her at all for Caleb. He fought tooth and nail for the car collection, though.”
Tip snorted. That didn’t surprise him. He had never understood what Miranda had seen in the guy. Kyle had never hidden the fact that he was there for the money. Tip highly doubted the guy had been faithful for a single day of their marriage.
“Did he get it?”
His mom flashed him a smile. “No. Thank you for that, by the way. It was you forcing a prenup that saved her. She sold all but two and set up a college fund for Caleb.”
As selfish as Miranda was, that shocked him. “I suppose some people still put their kids first.”
She flinched again as he hit his mark. “I suppose I deserved that. We never saw you and I guess that made it easier to justify myself.” Her gaze finally swung his way and stayed. “But I love you and I don’t want to lose you. I don’t care if I never see another dime. I just want my son back.”
She said the things he wanted to hear, but he didn’t trust her anymore. It hurt too badly to say that, so he said nothing.
“It’s obvious you don’t believe me. That’s beyond fair, but please at least give me another shot. I swear, I just want to be your mom.”
“Can I think about it?” By think, he meant discuss it with Artem. He couldn’t rely on his own judgment when it came to family.
“Yeah. Just maybe call me sometime… or send a text. Whatever you’re comfortable with. I miss you.”
He dipped his chin in a sharp nod. Tip refused to say it back. She was the one who destroyed them. He watched as she headed to her car and didn’t look away until he was certain she was gone. Tip didn’t want to hope. He supposed time would tell.
Tip had been overly quiet since his mom came and went. Artem resented the hell out of her timing. Tip had asked him to marry him. It hadn’t been a grand proposal or anything—which Artem preferred. He didn’t like being the center of attention. But at least they could have enjoyed a moment of private celebration if she hadn’t destroyed the entire day with her presence. He felt guilty thinking like that. Artem wanted Tip to have his mom back, but not at the cost of Tip’s health and sanity.
