Page 35 of Just a Distraction

I’m not prepared for what happens next. Because a woman who appears to be in her fifties is standing there, in front ofChildcare, holding a cute, little boy on her hip. The kid reaches for Rose when she gets there.

I swear he calls her “Mama.”

Chapter 14

Rose

Don’t mind us, Milo. We’re just a dysfunctional family, standing outside of Childcare, as my ex’s mother picks up my kid—the kid you didn’t even know I had.

Yep. Just me and my ex’s mom, and the child I had with her son. Our beautiful boy who doesn’t deserve a life without a father. Which is why I can’t freak out about her coming here twice in one week. She’s Callum’s grandmother. She helped take care of him for a long time, even after Blaine gave up his parental rights. And since we moved to Longdale, Callum hasn’t spent much time with her.

I turn my back to the general vicinity of where Milo is standing. This is weird. What is he going to think about mestanding here with a toddler? He’s going to figure out that Callum’s mine.

And I’m not trying to hide that fact, I just want to protect my son as much as I possibly can. I don’t want to introduce him to every cute guy I meet.

Not that Milo’s like any of the other men out there.

“Darla, why didn’t you call first?” My cheeks heat and I bounce Callum up and down in my arms, giving him kisses all over his face and neck and arms.

“I thought it might be fun to surprise you.”

I don’t look up. I’m too busy showering my son with kisses. “Callum is my responsibility, though. You can’t just check him out of childcare.” Although, she is on the list of emergency contacts, so that’s probably why they let her.

“I was just missing him, you know? Living an hour away is hard on a grandma.” I look up in time to see her smile sadly. “It’s good to see you, Rose.”

“It’s good to see you, too, Darla.” Callum wiggles out of my arms, and I gently set him down so he can toddle around the lobby. He’s at the age where he likes to stick close to me, which I’m glad about, especially with the lobby so busy this time of day.

“I’ve been talking to Blaine about how much he’s missing out on, not having rights to Callum.” She hesitates, pulling her grey hoodie down over her jeans. “And by not being with you anymore.”

I sigh. “It was his choice, though. I gave him every opportunity to step up and be a father to Callum and he didn’t.” It still stings. It’s Hawkins one-oh-one and it really stings.

Not that I still love Blaine, because I really, truly don’t. It hurts that he didn’t want the family we’d created. But it’s okay—it’s for the best.

“I know,” Darla assures me, laughing a little over Callum running across the lobby floor as fast as his little legs will takehim. The waddle, with him wearing a diaper and all, is one of the cutest things I’ve ever seen.

“I keep hoping my son will grow up,” Darla continues. “He’ll realize it someday. It just might be too late at that point.”

“It already is. Darla, look.” My voice is soft. “You know he and I are not getting back together.”

“I was just hoping that Blaine would want to be in his sweet little boy’s life.” Her eyes grow misty.

“Me, too.” I did want that. But the last thing I want is for Callum to get hurt emotionally. If Blaine is going to be wishy-washy about showing up, maybe it’s better he’s not around at all.

That’s what much of my childhood looked like, and I turned out okay.

At least, I think I did.

“So, were you just going to check Callum out of Childcare without asking me?” I ask, fear flitting through me.

Note to self: Immediately inform Childcare that no one but me is permitted to check my baby in or out without my permission—even if they are on the emergency contact list.

Callum runs back to us and wraps himself around Darla’s legs. She bends down and smooches the top of his dark, fuzzy little head. “We were just about to find you,” she says to me.

“I have a lot of work to do today. Three housekeepers called in sick, and I have to do their work for them. So, I’ve got to go.” I tug my baby close to me. Callum hasn’t ever seemed too sad when I’ve dropped him off places, but lately he’s had some separation anxiety. My mom assures me that’s perfectly normal for his stage of development, that nineteen-month-olds often get clingy and that doesn’t mean he doesn’t like playing here with the other kids and the staff. Still, it breaks my heart every time it happens.

“Well, I’m glad I’m here then,” Darla says, cheerfully.

“Hey, it’s good to see you,” I say. “But can I please ask you for a favor?” I scrunch up my face, my heart rate ratcheting up. “Will you please let me know when you’re coming by? I’m asking you for a heads up so I can come and get Callum out of Childcare myself.”

---