Page 61 of Mr. Broody

“Can’t do that unless we want them to freeze to death,” Tweetie says.

“Okay, let’s all put our thinking caps on over the next couple days and try to arrange some dates.” Kyleigh turns around to look at my daddy and Jade. “And if you hear Miss Jade say anything in class, you let us know.” She winks at me.

Kyleigh is so cool. I really like her, but Daddy said she’s not meant to be my mommy. We can’t share her with Rowan.

“Okay, I will.”

“Bodhi, come here,” Micha says.

I run over to Micha, excited to tell him we have people to help with our plan.

Twenty-Seven

Jade

I should not be enjoying my time at a seven-year-old’s birthday party as much as I am, but Kyleigh is so easy to get along with. Henry hasn’t really left me alone with his friends. I think he’s worried about what they might say. They definitely like to razz him about us, and I wonder if that’s how they always are or if it’s because he hasn’t brought a lot of women around them before. Maybe that’s just hopeful thinking on my part.

Trina walks into the party room, and her gaze immediately goes to Henry and me sitting alone at one of the tables. “Sorry, I’m late. Saturday traffic. I hate all the suburbanites thinking the city is their weekend playground.” She grabs Micha’s shoes from the cubby.

“That’s okay,” Henry says, patting my hand before standing and walking over to her.

At the other table, all his friends just stare at her.

“The boys are just out there, so I’ll walk you out.” Henry opens the door for her, and she turns but doesn’t move.

“I wanted to apologize for earlier. I meant no harm. I was just really flustered this morning.” She looks around the room and sets her gaze on me specifically.

I hold up my hand. “Understandable. No harm done.”

She nods, but still doesn’t walk out the door. Henry’s eyes seek mine out, and he shakes his head behind her.

“You’ll understand once you have kids.” She shifts her attention to Henry and rests her hand on his bicep. “Right, Henry? It’s something only a parent can understand.” Her voice turns sugary sweet, while all I can focus on is her fingers wrapping around his arm.

Did she just squeeze it?

Oh hell no. What kind of game is she playing?

“Someone’s hot for some hockey Daddy dick,” Tweetie whispers.

If she heard him, she pretends she didn’t.

Kyleigh rises and comes over to me. “Jade, why don’t you come back with us? Bodhi can open his presents, and we can grab some real food.”

I can’t fight the smile tugging at my lips because I think I like Kyleigh even more now. “Sounds great.”

Finally, Trina’s eyes stray from Henry right to us. She huffs and walks out the door.

Henry’s smile and the small shake of his head before following her is a nice change from the awkwardness that’s lingered between us.

“Are they all like that?” Kyleigh asks once they’re both gone.

“No, most of the parents are really nice. But now I’m starting to think she’s mad because she thinks I’m stepping on her territory.” I fiddle with the Happy Birthday confetti Mack sprinkled on the table.

“I can’t believe she tried to flirt with him like that in front of you.”

Kyleigh wasn’t there. She didn’t hear what Trina said outside.

“She kind of threw our history in my face earlier and said the only reason I have the teaching job is because of my stepdad.”

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