Page 82 of Rooster

“I’m just looking out formy kids. Clearly, you aren’t.”

“I’m the only one who looks out for them!” Fearing the kids would hear me, I darted down the hall to my room and closed the door. “I’m the one who feeds them, clothes them, takes them to school and all their sports. I’m the one who takes them to the doctor and looks after them when they’re sick.”

“I would do the same if they were here with me.”

“You’ve got to be kidding me! You don’t even buy them shoes when they need them!”

“My kids don’t want for anything!”

“You’re right. They don’t! And that’s because I make sure they don’t! It has nothing to do with you!” I snapped. “And just to make things clear, they aren’t your kids. They’re our kids!”

“I gave you a chance to come back to me, Mags. I told you that you were the love of my life, and I meant that. I really did. But you chose to throw those words in my face and started fucking around with that asshole biker. And if that wasn’t enough, you had the nerve to send him here to fight your battles for you.”

“I didn’t send him, Chad. He went there on his own.”

“I don’t care why he came! He should’ve kept his nose out of my fucking business, and the fact that he didn’t is a decision that will cost you both!”

“What is that supposed to mean?”

I waited for an answer, but there was none. The line had gone dead, and I was left with a dull ache in my chest.

I stared down at the screen, and for a moment, I considered calling him back, but I knew it wouldn’t do any good. He was mad and embarrassed, and he needed time to cool off. I had Nathan’s phone, so I went back to his room and tossed it on his bed. “Good night, buddy.”

“Is everything okay?”

“Yes, sweetie. Everything is fine.”

“It didn’t sound that way.” Worry filled his eyes as he said, “Dad was pretty pissed.”

“He’ll get over it.”

“But what if he doesn’t? What if he keeps pushing, and me and Sam have to go live with him.”

“That’s not going to happen, Nathan. I won’t let it.”

“But how can you stop it?”

“I’ve gotten this far, haven’t I?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“And now, we have a little help.” I leaned down and gave him a kiss on the forehead. “We’re gonna be okay.”

“Okay.” I started for the door but didn’t get far before Nathan said, “Mom...”

“Yeah?”

My precious son had the sweetest look on his face as he told me, “I love you.”

“Oh, honey. I love you, too.” I gave him a smile and said, “Now, get to bed. It’s getting late.”

He nodded and started easing back his covers. Once he was settled, I continued out of the room and closed the door. “Goodnight.”

“Night.”

I stepped down the hall and checked in on Samantha, and as I’d hoped, she was already fast asleep. I turned out her light and closed the door before heading down the hall. I was ready to put the day behind me, but I still hadn’t heard back from Ronin and there was no way I could sleep until I did.

It was that thought that had me going over to my phone.

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