Page 103 of Perfectly Complicated
“Then let’s have it,” I say. “But not here.”
TWENTY-EIGHT
Rourke
I’m standing in the hallway outside Janie’s classroom, gripping two Styrofoam cups of coffee so tightly, I’m surprised I haven’t busted them. I made them in the teachers’ workroom to give myself something to do so I wouldn’t break down Janie’s door, where she’s talking with her ex.
I want to storm in there and drag him out by his overpriced collar, but Janie stopped me with a hand on my arm, saying, “Let me handle it. I need to do this myself,” before turning around and closing the door.
So here I am, trying to respect her wishes while I physically restrain myself from kicking down the door and punching the man.
I know she promised to fill me in later, but patience isn’t exactly my gift. So I shift a little closer to the door—notto eavesdrop, obviously. Just to, you know, be supportive. Really, I’m only standing here for her. If a few syllables happen to float through the door and into my ears, that’s a total coincidence and not my fault.
As I drain my coffee cup, that’s when I hear her ex speak up.
“I need to talk to you about Aria’s Christmas schedule,” Nicksays in that fake-polite voice that grates my nerves. “I want my time with her too.”
“You can have time with her,” Janie says, obviously irritated. “But why are you asking now? You haven’t asked for time with her all year.”
I know Janie well enough to sense when she’s worried; I can hear a faint hint of it now.
“Janie, this is her first Christmas,” he replies. “I want to be there for it.”
“You wantChristmas?” Her voice nearly breaks on the word.
I know what Christmas means to Janie. I’ve seen how much she’s poured into the pageant. She lights up talking about it. And now this guy’s waltzing in at the last minute, finally deciding that he wants to be a dad.
Or maybe he’s just bitter that I’m doing the job he walked away from.
“I already planned to spend Christmas with my daughter,” she adds.
“You meanourdaughter,” Nick corrects. “I haven’t had any quality time with her, Janie. I deserve to spend the holidays with Aria.”
“Then maybe try paying your child support first,” Janie snaps. “You don’t get to show up for the holidays when you’ve missed a year of her life.”
“That’s my girl,” I mutter under my breath before Nick interrupts.
“Is that how you want to play this? Because if you’re going to withhold time with my daughter, I’ll see you in court.”
“I’m not withholding anything, Nick.”
“You really think a judge will side with you?” Then he laughs at her, and the sound makes my fists curl.
“You’re a single mom, Janie. You have a hockey player living in your house. And then you block me from seeing her on Christmas? That’s not going to go over well in court.”
“Is Liaokay with it?”
“Yeah, but I probably should tell you our news…” Nick pauses.
What news?I tilt my head, waiting for the bomb to drop.
“Lia and I are engaged now. I asked her a week ago.”
I bite the inside of my cheek so hard, it throbs.
Of course he’d do this now.He just dropped the classic “Look how much I’ve moved on” maneuver to twist the knife in the one woman who deserves peace more than anyone.
Sure,why wouldn’t he go for the full trifecta? Show up unannounced, demand Christmas with Aria, and then toss out his engagement to the woman he cheated with. Guy’s really swinging for “Worst Ex of the Year.”
