Page 16 of Bleeding Hearts

“Maybe it is,” I agree, because this kid will never learn if daddy doesn’t let him. “I get where you’re coming from. I have two boys who I’ve stepped in many times to protect. But eventually we have to let our kids?—”

“Look, cunt.” Standing, Theo pounds the table with his fist, glaring at both me and his father. “You need to stop talking andopen the damn envelope. We didn’t come here, so you could psychoanalyze us. Mind your own goddamn business.”

Before I can do or say anything, Teddy snatches the envelope from under my arms. He rips it open and extracts the documents from within. And right before his son’s eyes, he tears them up while explaining his actions to the spoiled little brat. “I’m done. I told you the last time that if it happened again, you’d have to clean it up yourself. But I let your mother persuade me it wasn’t your fault, yet again. That it was just an accident, and you’d learned your lesson. Clearly, she was mistaken. No more. Hire your own damn lawyer. Use the money I gave you to start that bad idea of a company. Until you can prove that you’ve got your act together, I’m cutting you off.”

“You can’t do that.” Theo, with an air of entitlement, angrily stomps his foot, displaying his spoiled attitude. “I’ll tell, Mom.”

I want to laugh but hold back. One glance at my friend tells me I’m not alone.

“Go right ahead and do that. And while you’re at it, please remind her to sign the divorce papers before they become null and void, and she ends up with nothing more than the minimum.”

Theo’s eyes narrow as he shoots a piercing glare at his father. “You’re gonna regret this. Mark my words.”

We watch the bratty kid storm out of the house, not even bothering to close the door on his way out.

I don’t know what to say.

“I’m sorry.” Teddy hangs his head with regret. “Can we start over?”

“Sure.”

“I know this won’t make up for your troubles, but I’d like you to have the SUV.” As I start to raise an objection, he lifts his hand to indicate I should hear him out. “And allow me to pay for your medical bills. Mr. Polkowski can draw up a new agreementand have you sign it later. Will you let me do that? Or can we at least discuss it?”

To say I’m shocked is an understatement. I’m not sure I trust him. If I agree, what’s to say Theo won’t do this again? That they won’t use it against me and claim we settled outside of court? I don’t want that. The kid needs to understand that throwing money at people doesn’t always solve your problems. There are some problems in life money can’t solve.

“I’ll hear you out, but I make no promises.”

After smiling, Mr. Stewart reclaims his seat. “That’s good enough for me.”

Chapter 8

Nolan

When I pull up in front of Beth’s to unload the bags of dirt I bought for her flowerbeds, I notice a few extra cars. One of them is a shiny new SUV.

When did she get that?

“I have to pee.” Mollie, holding herself, bounces in her seat. “Can I go in Miss Bethany’s house to pee? I can’t wait.”

Once I’ve backed the truck up to her garage, I turn off the engine. “Ring the doorbell. Don’t just walk in.”

“She don’t care.” Mollie informs me as she unfastens herself. “She said so last time.”

I chuckle while getting out to open her door. I’m sure Bethany said exactly that, but that’s not the point. “I don’t care. It’s rude. Ring the doorbell.”

Hopping out, Mollie runs to the front door and is nearly knocked over when a man I don’t recognize storms out.

“Get out of my way, kid.” In one swift motion, he extends his arm, shoving her with enough force to send her crashing into the sizable flowerpot on Bethany’s porch.

Mollie seems unfazed, but I’m not.

Oh no, he didn’t.

I don’t think. I react.

His pink polo crumples in my fist as I stop him, tugging his face toward mine. “You ever shove my kid like that again and I’ll mop the floor with your face. Understand?”

“Whatever, man. Get your hands off me before I sue your ass for assault.” He tries to look intimidating, but with his toes barely touching the ground and his shirt all bunched around his neck, he looks like a wimpy asshole. “Do you know who I am?”

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