Page 69 of Catching Our Moment
James lifted a superior eyebrow as he nodded at my t-shirt. “Looks like your mother could use some clothing also.”
“Yeah, Mom. What are you doing in a t-shirt? Go get some clothes on before Shaw comes over,” Aaron said.
“Yes, why don’t you put some more clothes on? Then we can discuss the choices you’ve been making about our son.”
“Fine. But keep your coat on. You won’t be staying long.”
26
Shaw
I stepped outside and saw Needle Dick talking to Kelcie, his arms crossed over his chest. I told myself I needed to know what he was saying, if only to be there for my girl.
“I don’t like this, Kelcie. What the hell are you doing putting Aaron on a talk show?”
“What?”
“Smitty Talk or whatever it’s called. Imagine my embarrassment when Mike asked Aaron about meeting TJ Smith and being on his podcast—him and Shaw.” His voice deepened, and his face was molten red. “I never gave my permission for anything like that.”
“It wasn’t a planned thing. He was at Shaw’s place to watch the taping and…well…” She shrugged. “You know how he is when he has an opinion.”
“Can you imagine how bad it would’ve been if Aaron had decided he disagreed with Smitty and had a full-scale meltdown while on the air?”
“It’s not live. It’s a recorded show, James.”
“That’s not my point. He’s a minor, and I should have a say in what he is involved in—and who he’s involved with.”
He was staking his authority, trying to make it clear he was still in charge. But as far as I was concerned, he had to be present in Aaron’s life to have an opinion that mattered.
I had a father who’d walked out, so I knew this type of guy. The only difference between Needle Dick and my father was that Aaron had me.
I wanted to be part of Aaron and Kelcie’s life, but James was going to make things difficult. He’d gone weeks without making any effort to see Aaron, but now that he knew I wanted them in my life, he’d obviously decided to be a pain in the ass.
“What exactly don’t you like?” I said, stepping up behind Kelcie. “Aaron was fantastic on the podcast. He was smart, sharp, and concise. Have you listened to it?”
Aaron ran out of the house. “Shaw! Did you talk to TJ? Did you tell him about my picks?”
James's eyes burned a hole in my head from the frustration of never being able to completely get rid of me.
“Aaron, why don’t you go get your things out of the car,” James said. “And don’t forget the bag your grandmother gave you.”
“Okay.” He ran down the stairs, calling out, “I’ll be right back, Shaw.”
“Sounds good,” I said, but James and I were already staring each other down in a silent face-off.
Kelcie broke the standoff. “Hey, if Amber is already home, shouldn’t you be going?”
But the asshole wasn’t finished yet. He turned to me, inhaling and puffing out his chest—postering. “And why are you here?”
“I live here.”
He shot back, “You live in Charlotte.”
I shrugged. “I have multiple homes, actually.”
“Yeah, and how long is this one going to keep your interest?”
I glared. “We will see what the future holds.”
