Page 126 of A Whole New Play

“Okay, Dad.” Abby and Andy race off hand-in-hand. Laura and I watch them go with pensive expressions.

“They haven’t forgiven me.”

I turn back to Laura. Her smile has fallen. Now, she looks forlorn as she watches our kids smile and laugh in a way they haven’t done around her in a long, long time.

“They will eventually.” I mean it. Laura’s changed ever since the judge granted me full custody. It’s like having a third party deem her an unreliable mother snapped her out of the delusion she’s been living in. She no longer believes she can enjoy a selfish lifestyle and also foster a nurturing relationship with her kids.

It sucks that it took losing custody to make her realize that, but I give her credit for taking action to mend the hurt she’s caused. It will just take time.

The host returns. “Are you ready to be seated?”

“Yes, please.”

“Follow me.”

I motion for Laura to walk in front of me. We follow the teenager to a booth located close to the edge of the dining area, nearest to the arcade. We settle on opposite sides of the booth.

“Your waiter will be with you soon,” the host tells us. With one last admiring look my way, he walks away. It’s a Monday afternoon and a teacher work day at the kids’ school, but the pizzeria is surprisingly empty. Other than one family of five across the room, I only see workers here. I bet that will change once it gets closer to dinner time. But we’ll be gone before then.

“I think Abby and Andy miss Valerie.”

I look up from the plastic menu, ignoring the way my chest aches at Laura’s observation. “I’m sure they do.” I look back down, hoping she drops the subject.

She doesn’t.

“Andy said you broke up with her because of Sara.”

I blow out a heavy breath. “That’s not true.” I managed to obtain a restraining order against the woman who disrespected boundaries by approaching my kids at their science fair.

I haven’t heard anything from her, or her lawyer, since it went into effect. But before it did, I learned Sara’s parents had heard about the situation and were trying to convince her to seek professional help for her behavior.

Stalking me is just one of the concerning behaviors she’s exhibited as of late. As much as I want her to honor the restraining order and stay away, I do hope she gets the help she needs.

“Then why did you break up with her?”

I huff a disbelieving laugh. “Are you asking about my love life?”

“Why not?” She cracks a smile. “You’ve asked about mine before.”

I snort. “Only when your rockstar boyfriend whisked you to Europe and you abandoned our kids.”

Laura winces.

“Sorry,” I mutter. “That was uncalled for.” From what the twins told me after their last visit with Laura, I’m pretty sure she and her boyfriend broke up. Bringing him up was a shitty thing to do.

“Maybe, but it’s true.” Her expression is resigned. She shakes her head, clearing away whatever thoughts my comment elicited, and says, “I’m just worried about you, Carter. You’re a good guy, but you tend to try and put everyone else’s happiness before yours.”

I open my mouth to object, but Laura holds up a hand. “And while I’m sure you had good intentions for breaking things off with Valerie, I can’t help but wonder if it was a mistake.”

It was the biggest mistake of my life.

“What made you think I broke up with her? Maybe she broke up with me.”

She lifts a brow. “Did she?”

I frown. “No.” This would’ve been a hell of a lot easier if she had.

“Exactly.” Laura shakes her head again. “I don’t know the details. It’s not my business. But…” She sighs. “Even after everything that happened between us… all the drama and immature behavior… I honestly do want you to be happy.”

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