Page 111 of Catching Our Moment
“Aaron doesn’t need to be sent to a boarding school. He’s fine with me,” Kelcie said.
“Bullshit,” James said.
James’s mom peered down her nose at Amber and James. “I know he’s unhappy here. He tells me, and he hears more than he should. I don’t blame him.” She waved at the house. “It’s bedlam in this house.” She folded her hands. “Amber, dear, I think you should stay in your lane and take your own guidance about structure and discipline.”
She stepped up to James, causing him to take a step back. “I don’t want to ever hear you talk about sending my grandson away again. And taking him from his mother? What has gotten into you?”
James’s mouth was so tightly drawn that his lips disappeared. “He isn’t a normal boy. He needs?—”
“I am a normal boy.”
We all turned to see Aaron standing on the porch with his belongings. “You need to stop bullying me and my mom.” Aaron narrowed his eyes at his father and Amber.
“Aaron—"
“I want to go home with Mom. I want to watch football with Shaw, and go to the playoffs, and play with my friends in the park.”
“You aren’t going anywhere with him,” James said. “Your mother can chase Shaw like a pathetic football groupie, but I won’t have her dragging you all over with her.”
Aaron lunged for his father, but I grabbed him. “Don’t you talk that way about my mom!”
“We are done here,” I said, gently moving Aaron into Kelcie’s arms.
“If you choose to continue with this asinine behavior, James… If you keep harassing Kelcie and Aaron, you won’t just be taking on my lawyers, but I will have Wyatt Fortner so far up your ass, your breath will smell like a dirty sneaker.”
James’s eyes widened.
“Yes, Wyatt has a remarkable way of finding out everyone’s secrets,” I said.
Amber grabbed James’s arm. “Forget it, sweetheart. We don’t need this aggravation.”
Aaron piped in, “And you aren’t going to be able to squeeze Shaw for money either. Because I’ll tell any judge about everything I’ve heard while in this house.” He gave Amber a knowing smile. “Everything.”
That had Amber backing up. “Fine, take your brat and leave. We don’t need his spoiled fits here. Our life was perfect without?—”
Mama Byron stepped up into Amber’s space. “Complete that sentence, girl, and you will regret it. I don’t care who you are married to. Get me?” Mama Byron’s Dirty Harry tone could have scared a defense lineman into submission.
I wrapped my arms around my girl and her boy and led them away from that house.
Kelcie turned to Mama Byron and said, “Vivian, you are welcome to visit any time. We’d love to see you.”
“Thank you, sweetie. She smiled her grandma smile at us, walked down the stairs, and gave Aaron an exaggerated hug. “I’m so sorry you’ve had to deal with this. You are our grandson, darling. You are loved beyond measure.”
Then she gave a weary smile and rolled her eyes before saying to Kelcie and me, “I’m sorry for whatever this has cost you…both of you.”
“No problem, Mrs. Byron. Tell Mr. Byron you are both welcome to come see any of my games as a personal guest,” I said.
We all ignored James’s outburst. “My father hates Charlotte.”
Mama Byron kissed Kelcie and Aaron. “We’ll be in touch.” As we walked to the car, she added, “Shaw, take care of my family.”
“Of course,” I said. “They’re my family too.”
44
Kelcie
We were going to drive Shaw back to the airport before heading home. But a few blocks from James’s house, we pulled over. A dark-blue Explorer pulled up, and Shaw introduced me to my new bodyguard.
