Page 104 of Calamity Rayne Knocked Up

Tyler’s expression fell. “What?”

“He had an early meeting tomorrow and a long flight.”

My jaw gaped. “Are you kidding me? He didn’t even say goodbye! Gah! I knew he was an asshole! What a dick!”

“Dick!” Elara’s voice echoed from thestairs as she scooched down step by step after my mom.

“Nice, Rayne.” Hale picked up Elara. “What did we say about repeating bad words?”

She immediately looked repentant. “It’s bad.”

“Good girls don’t say bad words.”

Man, did I get a different speech from him…

“This is why you aren’t coming with us tonight. I don’t want to hear that kind of language from you again, Elara. Understand?”

“Yes, Daddy.” She grabbed his nose, and he handed her off to my mother.

I looked at Tyler. “You okay?”

“Fine.” There had never been a more unconvincing fine.

I gave him a sad smile, wishing there was more I could do. “For what it’s worth, I’m sorry.”

“Yeah. Me too.” He walked out the door, which was code for not wanting to talk about it.

When we arrived at Remington’s, Tyler was somber. I could tell he was second-guessing everything, and I wanted to punch Xander in the dick for hurtingmy friend. How did you have a talk-all-night connection, breakfast in the morning, and then ghost without a goodbye? I was glad we weren’t doing business with him next week because I didn’t want to see him ever again.

I wasn’t even sure if Hale should work with him now. He was obviously undependable.

As predicted, Naomi took a time machine right back into Remington’s bed. It was weird, especially because no one acknowledged the weirdness.

“Are they getting back together? Don’t you think it’s a bad idea? They got a divorce for a reason.”

Hale didn’t want to talk about it. “It’s a holiday weekend, Rayne. They’re grown adults. They probably just wanted something easy to get through Thanksgiving.”

“Your father is the last person I’d call easy.”

“My mom’s not easy, either, Rayne. Let them figure it out.”

Tyler and my mother left for the airport before breakfast the following day, so we headed to Remington’s, where Marta was most likely preparing something to eat. I didn’t know what Naomi was doing, but shelived only in New Jersey, so technically, she could drive home if she missed her flight. I had a feeling Remington was going to ask her to stay.

I was just sipping my morning decaf and considering what a mostly peaceful family-ish getaway this had been when all hell broke out. Remington’s voice boomed from the study, and Hale snapped back in an irritated tone.

I took a deep breath and exhaled, looking up at the ceiling as if some supernatural force up there might send me strength. “Well,” I said to Elara, “It’s been a while since we’ve had a good ol’ family brawl.”

“Shit,” she said.

I twisted my lips. “My thoughts exactly.”

Right on cue, Marta appeared with Elara’s coat. “I thought I should takePrincesafor a walk.”

“Good idea.” I lifted her from the high chair and dusted the cheerios off her clothes.

As soon as they were gone, I went to investigate the situation. Those two could fight about the most ridiculous things. It was anyone’s guess what triggered this argument. Unfortunately, I had a hunch about the cause.

“He was my target!” Remingtonblared. “You knew that, and you worked him over anyway.”

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