“It’s so loud, Mom,” he said, the floodgates opening. “Amber’s kids have televisions and video games in their bedrooms, and they’re always so loud.”
I put my hand over his as he continued, “And Dad gave Brent my room. He moved me out of my room and put me in the den.”
Excuse me. Was he kidding? One of the reasons I’d agreed to sell the house to James was so that Aaron could have some continuity when he went there.
“He said it was selfish of me to want to keep my room since I was only there every other weekend, and Brent needed it,” he said. “Now my room is the den, and it’s never quiet down there. They always are yelling and loud, and when I get upset, Dad gets angry at me.”
I held it in. I bit my tongue, and I watched my son shovel ice cream in his mouth, his eyes glassy.
What was James’s deal? If he made so little room for Aaron in his life, why was he insisting on custody?
43
Shaw
Practice sucked.
Coming home to an empty home sucked.
Not knowing what was going on with Kelcie and Aaron sucked.
I’d driven myself into the ground with practice and PT and anything else that could distract me from jumping on a plane.
I made a beeline for my shower when I got home, and that made it worse. All I could think of were the moments we’d had there. It was a very cold shower. When I came out, I found a text from Wyatt.
Wyatt
Any word from Kelcie?
Me
No. Did you find out anything?
Wyatt
Still working on it. I have a guy who is looking into things.
Wyatt always had “a guy.” He always had a way of getting information—and information was a weapon if used correctly.
Wyatt
So far, there may be some issues with the asshole’s finances.
Me
How is that?
Wyatt
It seems the new Mrs. Byron came into the marriage with some debt, and they just finished refurbishing the house. My people said there were a lot of contractors in and out of there in the last six months.
Me
Do you think it’s his child support?
Wyatt
Could be. But my money is on TJ’s offer to Aaron. It was a pretty sweet deal.
