“I guess so. Well, except Pappy and Lottie. They’re the only ones who call me besides my hotline dads.”
Pain rolls through my chest hotter than heartburn. “Your friends don’t call you?”
“I move around a lot. Is there something I can help you with, Sebastian?”
Jesus Christ. My name from her lips makes my mouth go so dry you’d think I was sucking on cotton balls all day.
“Shit. Um, yeah, I was calling to check up on things. The pictures of the boys are great, thank you. How’s Seren?”
I didn’t want to leave them in Sailport Bay so soon after our move, but I had to return to Boston to handle this shit. And now I’m in damage control mode, which means I’ll probably have to travel much more than I’d like.
I thought Pappy was out of his mind when he encouraged me to go to this nanny mixer, even more so when he encouraged me to pack up my life and move for the summer, but the man hasliterally never steered me wrong, and the boys were so excited about the idea. Seren was just happy to get the fuck out of dodge.
My baby girl feels broken, and for the first time in her life, I don’t know how to put her back together again. Care Bears Band-Aids can’t fix this hole in her life.
How does a little girl come back from her mother’s infidelity literally falling onto center stage in front of all her peers? I’ll never understand what Mya was thinking, but I’m sure the gossip from high society over her actions on school property is the reason her father insisted she leave the country—appearances are what matter to them.
“Well,” Rowan singsongs, dragging me into the present and wondering about the future. “She short-sheeted my bed last night, but we had a good laugh about it. Today she’s quiet. She’s probably planning her next attack, but I’m ready for her,” she says good-naturedly.
“I haven’t been able to help her,” I say quietly. The pain that statement brings hangs heavily in my chest. “She’s in therapy, but it’s obviously not doing any good. She’s never acted out against someone like this before.” Internally I cringe. “Well, except the nannies we tried in Boston.”
We lived through a shitty version ofThe Parent Trapfor a few months. Any and every prank Seren could pull on those poor women, she did, but for some reason, I wasn’t prepared for those actions to follow us to North Carolina.
“It’s hard to know what to do with all those big feelings when you’re twelve, Sebastian. She’ll come around. I had Leo pick up a blank music book from town. I’m going to show her how to write her own music, and I gave her a journal. She can write whatever she wants in it without fear of repercussions. Sometimes it’s easier to talk without talking, you know? And her new nanny might have suggestions I haven’t even thought of. You’ll get through this.”
This woman has been back in my life for one week and the thought of her leaving heats my blood more than the end of my marriage.
Maybe I’m the one who needs counseling.
“That’s really great. Thank you, Rowan.”
“No problem. We’re good. You do what you’ve gotta do. Pappy and I have things covered here, but if you want to FaceTime them at any time, just call. Right now, we’re taking Kade boogie boarding. I figured it’s safer than surfing.”
An image of her in a bikini has my body reacting in a way it most definitely should not.
“Thank you again. Tell the kids I love them and I’ll be back as soon as I can.”
“You’ve got it. Have a good night, Sebastian.” She hangs up before I can say goodbye. She’s completely unaffected by speaking with me, and that’s enough to tell me that this lifelong infatuation is one-sided and I need to get my shit together.
I can’t always have what I want, or who I want, no matter how much damage they do to my blood pressure.
6
WHEN DID FIGHTING TURN INTO FOREPLAY?
ROWAN
It’s been a long-ass day. I haven’t spent this much time with a six-year-old in ages, especially a six-year-old like Kade. That kid has so much energy I’m surprised he doesn’t combust, and yet I hope he never loses that spark that makes him special.
There’s nothing sadder than a child beaten down before they have the chance to fly.
Like Seren. I’ve put the boys to bed, and Pappy is on the porch reading through Leo’s plans for his new summer camp. It won’t surprise me one bit if he’s also making notes for improvements out there too.
With a low groan, I reach for the door to my room. I can’t hold off talking to Seren any longer, but I need a few minutes to strengthen my armor. Warily, I enter, wondering what kind of shit she has planned for me tonight.
The door swings open and I kick my foot through it first, trying to trip any traps she may have set. When nothing happens, I lean my head in and scan the ceiling, floor, and all the open space.
Nothing looks out of place. The room was decorated with clean lines and a beachy theme before I arrived. The light-graywalls offset the bright white and aqua bedding. I hate to admit that it’s exactly what I would have done if I’d decorated it myself.
