Page 252 of As The Shifter World Turns

“I love you,” I yelled at his retreating back.

“Back at you, TD.”

Third Dad. I adored the title and hoped I’d never lose it. No matter what happened, I would always consider Toby my son.

After putting Charlie in his chair, I messaged Martin to make sure he was going to collect Toby.

Getting in the car now.

One less thing I had to remember but it was a long list. I grabbed the cereal Toby liked and got out the milk as he raced into the kitchen.

“TD, what would you think about Dad moving into 3B in the manor?” He paused and held up his hand. “Just think. Dad would never be late to take me to school.” That was debatable but if Martin was in 3B, Toby could run over and wake him up. “And he could take Charlie sometimes.”

Charlie basically lived with me and Toby. Daire and Nate spent as much time with him as they could, and while he had naps there, it was rare for him to spend the night. With Martin not living close by, his time with the kids was reduced and when Toby stayed with him, Charlie was with me. My estranged mate’s new place wasn’t suitable for a toddler—or so Martin had told me.

“Is this your idea or your dad’s?” I regretted saying that as soon as the words were out of my mouth. Instead of answering his question, I made it awkward for him and that was wrong. “Sorry, sweetheart. What I meant to say was, ‘I’d need to think about it.’”

The last thing I wanted was to put Toby in the middle of any battle I was having with his dad. “Is that something you’d like?”

“It is. I’d see more of him and so would Charlie and it’d be easier for both you and Dad.”

He had a point, but the idea of my estranged mate living upstairs from my office was something I’d rejected when we parted initially. Archer and family were still in 2B, though they were closing on their new house next door to the manor any day now.

I had to overlook my own misgivings and think of the family as a whole. Toby and Charlie needed their dad. “How about I talk to Dad after he takes you to school.”

Toby flung his arms around me. “Love you, TD.”

“As I love you, my wise and clever oldest son.”

When Toby’s phone beeped letting him know Martin was out front, I hoisted Charlie onto my hip and we all went downstairs.

“Are you busy after you drop Toby off?”

“No,” my mate replied. “I have a job this evening but I’m free to pick Toby up after school.”

“3B, Dad. Maybe you can live in 3B.”

Of course, Toby couldn’t keep a secret.

“I said we’d think about it but I need your dad’s input.” Martin caught my eye. The pain reflected there probably mirrored my own. We were broken and I didn’t know how to put us back together. Was it even possible?

In the twenty minutes Martin was gone, I messaged Daire, making sure hehadn’t rented 3B. He hadn’t. I made a fresh batch of coffee and waited for my mate.

He knocked on the door instead of using his key. That was something we’d agreed to in the first week after he walked in on me with a towel wrapped around my hips dancing in the kitchen. In the past, it probably would have led to sex.

I shoved a mug of coffee at my mate. “If you’re going to live next door, we have to establish some ground rules.”

“Such as?” He took a sip of coffee and his damned phone beeped. He took it out but after I glowered at him, he stuck it back in his pocket.

“If Toby is going between this house and the manor, he can do it by himself during the day but at night, one of us has to be with him.”

Even though the incident with Len was a while ago, I was still skittish. Daire hadn't got around to putting in the gate between the two properties so we had to go on the sidewalk.

“And while 2A is my office, you can’t just waltz in unannounced.”

“You’re a real hard-ass, Neil.”

I had to be.

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