Page 33 of One Southern Summer

“I’ll call him while Hayes finishes nursing.” Avery plastered on a brave smile. “Don’t worry, I’m sure it will be a brief conversation.”

Mama hesitated then slipped out and closed the door softly behind her.

Avery shifted Hayes in her arms, made sure he was content then glanced at her phone again. She could text him and insist their attorneys handle his request. Because he most definitely had a request. That meant more billable hours and more money subtracted from her meager account balance. An avoidance strategy that was too costly. Her pulse pounded like a jackhammer destroying a sidewalk as she tapped the screen to return Pax’s call.

He picked up on the second ring. “Hey.”

Hey. So casual. Like months hadn’t passed since they’d spoken. Three seconds in and her fingers already itched to end the call.

“What’s up?” She tried to sound bored. Exasperated.

“I’m just checking in. Had some down time in Nashville between appointments. How’re the kids?”

How are the kids?She pulled the phone away from her ear and stared at the screen. Why was he suddenly pretending to care? She placed the call on speakerphone then silently whispered a prayer for an extra dose of patience. “The kids are fine, Pax. What do you want?”

Silence filled the line. “There’s no need to be rude, Avery. I’m allowed to call and see if my children are healthy and safe.”

Her scalp prickled. She resented the implication in his comment. “Have you heard otherwise?”

“Not exactly. I—”

“You have no right to question my parenting abilities, seeing as how you abandoned us and I haven’t heard from you in months. Other than the measly child support payments.”

“I’m doing the best I can. Life on the road is demanding.”

She couldn’t stop a laugh. “Oh, please. You have no idea what demanding looks like. Try parenting a preschooler and a newborn by yourself.”

Hayes pulled away and stared up at her, his face wrinkling. Avery quickly tossed the cloth diaper over her shoulder and held him upright, gently encouraging a burp.

“From what I’ve heard, you have plenty of help.”

Anger simmered in her midsection. He wassoinfuriating. “I’m not sure where you’re getting your information, but I’m guessing it’s your mother. Who, by the way, couldn’t be bothered to speak to me for more than two minutes. And she’s made zero effort to see Addison or Hayes.”

“Well, I’m glad you brought that up because I’d like to do something about that.”

Pax’s tone was smooth. Patronizing. She wanted to scream. “Do tell.”

Hayes arched back against her hand, letting her know he wasn’t pleased with the interruption in his feast. He burped, making a mess on the cloth diaper. And the sleeve of her T-shirt. So gross. Hopefully he had missed the chair’s upholstered cushion.

“I have two events scheduled in Camellia soon,” Pax said.

“I’m well aware.” Okay, that was borderline snarky. It wasn’t like she could forget about his impending visit, mainly because Nana, her sisters and the local media wouldn’t let her. She nestled Hayes in the crook of her opposite arm and he resumed nursing. Drawing in a deep breath, she forced herself to count to four and hold it. Then slowly exhaled. She could do this.

Pax ignored her comment and pressed on with his plan. “In case you missed my text, I’d like to spend some quality time with my children.”

No.Fear snaked in and coiled around her insides. If Pax thought he was taking Addison and Hayes on a book tour, he was one sandwich short of a picnic.

“Both of your children? Hayes doesn’t even know you.”

Pax huffed out a long breath. “And that’s something I’m trying to change. A boy needs his father in his life. And Addison needs to spend time with me too. I miss her. So much.”

Was he for real? “This had better not be a publicity stunt. What’s the matter? Are you worried about looking like a deadbeat dad in your own hometown?”

“That is not fair.”

“Don’t even talk to me about fair.” Spots peppered her vision. A pacifier sat on the dresser and she grabbed it and popped it in Hayes’s mouth. Thankfully, he accepted it and suckled away, his eyelids growing heavy.

“I’m trying to do right by you and our children. The least you could do is meet me halfway.”

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