“Did Kat have any news today?”
She shakes her head. “She sent the letter responding to the petition. She’s hoping it will scare Miles off, but he’s not easily intimidated.”
I just need five minutes alone with that asshole. I know there’s so much more than what Sarah has told me, but Ollie saying that his dad thinks he’s dumb was enough. Kids don’t just come up with stuff like that on their own. He must have said something, and that alone makes me want to rip his damn head off.
“Ollie asked if I could visit class.” I lay it out there carefully, not wanting to disappoint him but also needing to know what Sarah thinks about it.
She lifts her head. “He did?”
I nod, and she doesn’t say anything.
“What did you tell him?” Her question is soft.
“I told him I needed to check with you.”
She exhales, and that nugget of worry resurfaces. “We need to be careful.”
“About what?” It comes out a little bluntly, but I can’t help it.
“I don’t want him to get confused or . . ”
I’m not sure what there is to be confused about. I shift, sliding my hand from hers, all defenses locking into place.
She stares at me. “Hey.” She snatches my hand back. “I just want to be sure we’re on the same page with all of this.”
The same page.I don’t know what in the hell that means, but I know I can’t take one more thing right now.
“Sarah, what does that mean?” I ask straight up.
She frowns, most likely at my tone. “You and me is one thing, but Ollie and Frankie don’t know anything other than you being here. They’ll begin to expect it and . . .”
She trails off as if waiting for me to say something.
“I am here.”
She nods slowly. “Yes, but this is a big deal.”
Hell yes, this is a big deal, but I’m here. I’ve been here. Why is she pushing me away?
“We just . . .” She starts but stops. “I have to know what Miles is going to do, and then we can figure out what’s best.”
What’s best is that asshole falls off the face of the earth, and Sarah and the kids stay here with me. Always.
I nod slowly, but my body goes rigid. I do my best not to be a jerk, but frustration fills me when she’s shielding herself and the kids from me. At least that’s what it feels like, and fear rears its ugly head.
I try not to be completely distracted, but for the next thirty minutes, I can do nothing but battle the worry taking hold. I need to sort it out before it sucks me under.
“I should go.” I push off the couch, but she doesn’t move.
She stares up at me and then slowly follows me to the door. I reach for my coat, but she grabs my arm.
“What’s wrong? Tell me.”
I shake my head. “Nothing.” I won’t push Sarah to be ready for something she’s not. Her job is to protect her kids. I just never wanted her to feel like she had to protect them from me.
She slides her arms around my waist, and I pull her close, wanting her to tell me what she’s afraid of. The annoying thing is. . .I’m scared, too.
I rest my chin on top of her head. Miles put her through hell. I can’t blame her for being wary.
