Page 6 of Ravage

I figured it was a fate kind of thing.

We both realized that wasn’t the case the first year in, but we tried to stick it out. Kid number two came, and we tried even harder. But what little chemistry we had faded fast, and in the end, we were only hurting ourselves by staying together.

So, we split.

But we’ve done our best to hold onto the good we still had in our relationship. It’s not always easy.

“There is nothing wrong with his name,” she hissed. “He’s smart and handsome, and he has a great job.”

“Oh, yeah?”

“Yes. He’s a forensic accountant our firm hired for a case we’ve been dealing with, and he’s been wonderful,” she answered proudly. “Everyone in the office thinks he’s great.”

“Good for him.”

“I think you would like him, too.”

“Yeah, I doubt it.”

“He’s a big Chiefs fan, and he loves off-roading and…”

“Don’t see how any of that has me keeping the kids again.”

“Because they like being with you and the guys more than they like going to Mom’s.”

That was true.

Sam was eleven and had reached the age where he thought the clubhouse was the coolest place on earth. I couldn’t blame him. With the brothers and the pool tables, there was always something there to entertain. But it wasn’t just the place he loved.

He liked being where I was.

If I was under a hood, he was right there beside me, handing me whatever tool I might need. He didn’t say much, but I knew my boy. I knew when he felt like all was right in the world and when he was pretending a hard day hadn’t gotten to him and he needed me to tell him that everything would be okay.

I made a point to be there for the good and the bad.

I did the same for Reese.

My girl loved the clubhouse, too. She was only five, and while she was a bit of a tomboy, she dressed like a sparkler in a pink dress. She was all glitter and bows with scraped knees and a fiery attitude. She kept things interesting, and I loved that about her. Loved her little hugs and the way she giggled, too. Yeah, she had me wrapped around her little finger, and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Ava knew how much I loved having them around, so she added a little dig to get me to commit. “If you’re busy, I’ll call Mom. I’m sure…”

“I’ll take ‘em.”

“You sure?”

“Yeah, but you owe me.”

“Of course,” she answered, sounding relieved. “So, Sam has a birthday party at the Arcade on Saturday. Reese was invited, too, if you want her to go. And I’ve already bought the gift.”

“O-kay.”

Kids’ birthday parties weren’t my favorite. All the screaming and running around put me on edge, but my kids loved them. So, I always found a way to push through. I’d do the same this weekend.

I let out a breath, bracing myself before asking, “Anything else?”

“Sam might have baseball practice at four, but it looks like it’s going to rain.”

“Got it.”