Lucas

What a fucking day.

I left that damn office in pieces, but then I had my moment–after I took it out on the outside of the building– and I realized something. She still doesn't trust me. It's fine. So instead of being a sad sack of crap, I came out of the day halfway between generally pissed off and determined.

I need someone less complicated.

What is so complicated about wanting to get the person responsible for the accident? Especially when I know who covered it up.

I need a man that doesn't act like a boy.

So making her smile and forget all of her stress automatically correlates to me suddenly being a boy? I don't think so. I can be serious, and I'll fucking prove to her what the hell a man is if that's what she needs.

She was the one that didn't want me to be part of all of this in the first place and I have been serious when needed.

And what does she know? It's clear Allie moves into things slower than a damn snail while she's wearing a hardhat and reflective vest. Why would I want to rush anything? It would scare her.

Did she honestly think I didn't have anything planned? Please. She has to be coaxed into everything she does, so why the hell would I tell her that ahead of time?

She could give me some credit here. I've never truly dated someone before, so I'm not perfect.

But I have it all planned out.

Or had. Depends on what happens after this.

Jadon's daycare is something of an irritant right now. It's too happy and bright and I can hear kids screaming and laughing from outside.

Or maybe it's just me. The rest of the day was like a blur. I barely remember anything Tom said about the schedule and coordination of buses for the games. The day couldn't end fast enough and I get to take Jadon for a few hours.

Then I will be seeing her. I will be talking to her, even if I have to wait around on her.

My phone rings and I see it's Kat.

She is pursuing this modeling and I got to see a preview of her pictures from some shoot her dad paid for.

They work if she wants to do pornography. I'm guessing that she isn't exactly going for that, but her "job" is a bit abnormal from where I stand. Also, it's unrealistic.

It's not actually for modeling. She left her phone on the counter one night and had several notifications for sugar daddy apps. Kat said one of her friends showed it to her and she's taking their advice on it.

I wouldn't have considered it a job, but if that's what she wants, hopefully, she finds whatever it is she is looking for in it. According to her, she is selling pictures to these guys and wouldn't actually sleep with them.

It's like my eyes were never really open before and I'm seeing all the flaws I chose to ignore before running into Allie again.

I let Kat's call go to voicemail three times while I stare at the front door of the daycare. I want to get under Allie's skin, and am wondering what she would think about a nice cheesy fucking pizza for Jadon. No, that would be shitty.

Come to think of it, I might know exactly what Allie needs to calm down for a minute and listen to me. I wonder if she's still into Cap'n Crunch.

My phone rings again and I know Kat won't stop until she gets ahold of me. I sigh. Heavily. "Yeah?"

"What time are you coming home?"

We barely speak lately and thankfully it's because one or both of us is constantly gone.

"I'm picking up Jadon and was going to take him out for a few hours. Why?"

"My parents are home and we're going to their house for dinner." She doesn't sound annoyed, but she sounds a little serious.

"What is it, Kat?"

"I told my mom we were engaged, so it's a celebratory dinner. You will need to look nice, so I picked out your outfit for you."

Again, when the fuck did I even ask her? Am I not supposed to get on a knee and make tearful eye contact or something when I ask? Isn't it supposed to be memorable or something? I sure as hell don't remember making it a real thing.

I agreed to talk about it.

Not. The. Same.

However, this will be good. I can go over there and then confront her dad, and end this shit with Kat. Plus, she will already be at her house, so I won't have to deal with her in the car.

Then, I'll pay Allie a damn visit and set her straight.

"Daddy!" Jadon runs to me like always and jumps into my arms. "What are we doing today?"

"We are going to go pick up something for you and your mom. How do you feel about cereal?" I help him into the back of my car. I taught him how to buckle himself in since he can manage it. He gets himself a high-five every time he shows me he did it correctly.

I'm teaching him how to tie his shoes, too, since that will help him out once he gets to school next year.

Next summer, he will know how to change the oil in his mother's car. Or, help me, at least, when she lets me do it for her.

"Mommy doesn't let me eat cereal."

Well, fuck. God bless Allie and her home cooking heart. It's always something healthy. Not bad, but the kid could use some artificial shit once in a while.

She is, as I suspected, not home when Jadon and I get back from the store and Tom is staring at the inside of the refrigerator.

"Everything good, Tom?"

He grunts and I guess that's my answer. "Alright, well, I'll probably be back later."

"She called."

I stop in my tracks jus before I head for the front door.

He closes the fridge and watches me with raised eyebrows. "She will be home later. She's bringing Charity over tonight. If I were you, I'd stay away tonight. Charity is protective over Allie like one of those little rat dogs women put in purses that snap at everyone."

He always gives the best advice that I never listen to.

"I'll probably still come over." Not even probably. I'm sure I can handle Charity.

Tom shakes his head and Jadon introduces me to his secret handshake before I leave. There were a lot of moves, but I am going to remember them all for the next time.

Maybe in the morning.

Eh, too soon.

***

The Vandenburg house has always felt cold to me. I used to worry about Kat's dad liking me so much when he really has never shown me anything other than his hospitality.

It's too bad I am disgusted by the man now.

Mark Vandenburg. He owns seven real estate companies across the planet. He likes golf. Has an Ivy League education and comes from money already.

His mistress' name is Stacie, and she is two years older than I am.

Vivian Vandenburg is Kat in about twenty-five years. Enjoys her wine club, wine trips, and pretty much anything to do with wine. Though, she thinks shirts with wine references on them are tacky.

She is on her third nose, and I believe she just had another round of botox pretty recently.

She is having an affair with some cougar chaser that's younger than I am. I think she beat Mark in the who-can-get-someone-younger game they seem to be playing.

Vivian stopped driving herself around the time I graduated high school and I believe she may be the one that hit Allie.