I cup his handsome face, brushing wayward strands of his dirty-blond hair off his forehead. “When have you known me to get mad at you?” I work hard to never lose my temper with the kids or ever raise my voice. I’m not saying I’m a saint. There have been occasions where I’ve lost it, but it’s not the norm.
“You flipped out that time I was hitting golf balls in the backyard and broke the kitchen window.”
“You scared the shit out of me, West. If I hadn’t ducked in time, it could have seriously injured me.”
“True.” A mischievous grin dances across his mouth.
I smile as I remember him as a little boy. He was constantly getting into mischief, and I could always tell by the naughty grin on his face. “If you need to discuss something serious, we can discuss it like adults.” I rub his cheek before dropping my hand to my lap. “You’re going to be eighteen next week.” Tears stab my eyes, but they are happy, nostalgic tears this time. “I can’t believe you’re all grown up.” Leaning in, I kiss his brow. “I hope you know how proud I am of you. Every day, I count my blessings I have you for a son.”
“Ditto, Mom.” He wraps his arms around me. “I always knew you were the best, but when I look at what Van has to deal with, I know it for sure.”
“Yeah.” I sigh as we ease out of our embrace. “Poor Vander doesn’t have it easy.”
“Oh, by the way, he told me to tell you they’ll be here tomorrow. Him and Diana.”
I had assumed when I didn’t hear anything it meant they weren’t coming. I will have more than enough food, so it’s not that big of a deal, but I don’t want things to be awkward. Things are already going to be tense as hell without adding another source of tension. I decide to go over and see him tonight to make amends. “Oh, good.”
“Thank you for inviting them.” West rests his head back and takes my hand in his. “I see how you have tried to help him over the years, and that speaks volumes about the kind of person you are.” He eyeballs me with a glint in his eye. “Does Dad know Diana will be joining us?”
“I’ll tell him when he gets home later.” He won’t be in the best mood after getting served with divorce papers today and then discovering I’ve moved all of his things to one of the spare bedrooms. He can’t stand Diana Henley, and I can’t wait to bury the knife in deeper. “Now, tell me what’s going on. Is everything okay with you and Hazel?”
His Adam’s apple jumps in his throat. He bites on his lower lip as he stares at me. “We had a pregnancy scare.”
My heart lurches to my toes and back up to my head before going for another spin. I’m not sure what he sees on my face, but it’s enough to warrant reassurance.
He squeezes my hand. “It’s okay. It was a false alarm. Hazel isn’t pregnant.”
I am relieved. She is only seventeen, and West is just turning eighteen. I don’t want history repeating itself even if that sounds hypocritical. I know Hazel wants to be a vet and West has his football dream. I want them to be able to pursue their dreams, not be forced to abandon them. “But she thought she was.”
He nods. “We were scared, and I was fucking ecstatic when the test was negative. But she freaked out when I admitted it, and now she won’t talk to me.”
That doesn’t sound like Hazel. “What exactly did you say?”
He scratches the back of his head with his free hand. “I might have cursed a bit and then said I was glad it hadn’t ruined my football career before it had begun.”
Yeah, that’ll do it. “What did Hazel say?”
“That football was all I cared about and I was selfish not to consider how it would’ve impacted her plans. She also said she wouldn’t have been unhappy if the test had been positive but, clearly, I would have. According to her, that shows how temporary I consider us to be.” His brow puckers as he stares at me. “I tried to backtrack, but she didn’t want to hear it, and now she’s ignoring my texts, and she won’t speak to me in class. I went over to her house after school, and she refused to see me. I know I put my foot in it, but she’s completely overreacting.”
Definitely, but emotions are heightened when you’re a teen, and I remember plenty of times where I overanalyzed things that didn’t warrant such scrutiny. “Hazel loves you. She adores you.” I see the way they look at one another, and it warms my heart. “She will come around. She just needs time. I suggest you back off for a few days. Maybe send her a text and let her know you love her and you’re going to give her some space. Ask her to call you when she feels up to talking.” I kiss his cheek and slide off the bed.
“Should I send her flowers?” West asks, peering up at me. “Van suggested it, but I don’t know if Hazel would even appreciate the gesture. I can’t seem to say or do anything right.”
I crouch down so I’m looking at his face. “I’ll let you in on a secret. Every woman loves flowers. Any girl who says she doesn’t is lying. You can never go wrong with flowers. I think Van knows what he’s doing.”
“Huh.” West grabs his cell off his bedside table. “Weird for a guy who doesn’t do relationships.”
Weird indeed.
“Kendall, wait up!”
I slam to a halt as Vander’s deep voice washes over me like a security blanket. Shoving my hands into the pockets of my windbreaker, I turn around, stepping off the path to the side so I’m not in anyone’s way. The park is quieter than usual this afternoon with only a handful of joggers and people out walking. I expect most families are at home getting ready for tomorrow. I bounce on my feet to keep warm as I watch Van approach with his long-legged stride and fierce determination etched on his face.
Sweatpants manufacturers should approach him to model their product because he’s rocking the hell out of the black sweatpants and matching hoodie he is wearing. He has the hood pulled up over his messy dark hair, and his hands are hidden in the pockets of his pants. Black-and-white Nike high tops complete his effortless look.
He is so hot, and I honestly don’t know how I’m the one who has caught his eye.
“Hey.” His eyes quickly sweep over my body when he stops in front of me. “Cute yoga pants.” His lips twitch as he takes in the multicolored stretchy leggings I’m wearing.
“They were a birthday gift from Stella,” I admit, lifting one shoulder. “Walk with me?” He falls into step beside me. “I’m glad you caught me. I wanted to talk to you before tomorrow.” I look up at him. “We need to clear the air.”
“I know you were pissed, and you had every right to be, but I was only trying to help.”
I don’t know what he hoped to achieve with the stunt, but I can’t be mad at him any longer. “I know you were, and I was too harsh. I shouldn’t have said some of the things I said. I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings.” I glance up at him. “I was angry and embarrassed, but that’s not on you.”
“You have nothing to be embarrassed about. He’s the embarrassment. He doesn’t realize how lucky he is.”
I don’t think Curtis ever felt like that, but that’s neither here nor there, and I’m done discussing my husband. “Things are going to be difficult over the next few months, and I need you to promise me you won’t interfere. I also need you to promise you won’t ever tell West what you saw.” It’s going to be hard enough for the kids as it is. They don’t need to know all the seedy details.