Page 23 of Better Daddy
With any luck, he hasn’t sensed the underlying turmoil. I’m heartbroken enough for the both of us as it is. I just want good things for my son.
“Is cat poop poisonous?” he finally asks, catching me off guard. “Because Simon at school said it is, but Fuzzy’s poop isn’t poisonous, right?”
Poop. That’s what he was contemplating all that time.
I bite back a laugh and shake my head. “Let’s just stay away from poop in general, bud.” I brush his hair back from his face. “Is there anything else you want to bring to your dad’s?”
Before I’ve finished the sentence, he’s darting out the door, yelling anoover his shoulder.
I wince. Ithinkthat conversation went okay.
Hopefully, the move goes as smoothly.
—
“Thanks, guys,” I say as Sully, Brian, and Cal appear in the doorway, each carrying a suitcase.
Sully ordered me to sit here on the couch while they collected my things from the car Sully ordered.
My reply?Right, because the incubator has one job. You guys can handle the rest.
Cal winced, Sully sighed, and Brian shook his head. Lo just smiled at me knowingly. Thankfully, she gets my sarcastic sense of humor. If not, she’d surely think I was a bitch. Maybe I am a bitch. I don’t like myself very much lately, but once again, I blame my husband for that.
“This is all you have?” Sully glares down at the three suitcases.
I nod.
He drags a hand down his face. “You used to travel to Florida with more than this.”
My death glare is strong this afternoon. I went into the office for a bit this morning, but I wanted to get our stuff situated here before Cal picks T.J. and Murphy up from school, so I took the afternoon off.
“I traveled with three suitcases because I was packing for our family, Sully. The Sully and Mike monsters T.J. couldn’t go anywhere without took up an entire bag. Snacks from his approved list, bottles, diapers, extra changes of clothes. And don’t forget that I packed all ofyourthings too.”
The room goes deathly silent.
Shoulders slumping, Sully gives me a sheepish frown. “I just mean you have more stuff than this. A penthouse full.”
Why must this man insist on having this conversation in front of our friends? I don’t want to fight, but he never stops pushing.
“Listen, I’ve agreed to this little arrangement because it’s what’s best for T.J. You need this firm and he needs a father who isn’t miserable. But make no mistake: I’m not here for you. My stuff is in New York because T.J. and the baby and I willreturn to the penthouse when you complete this insane trust provision. Then we can all move on.”
“It’s also what’s best for you,” he says, like the man can’t help but pick a fight. I arch a brow, allowing him to dig himself a little deeper. It’s more fun this way. “You’re pregnant?—”
I slap my cheeks and widen my eyes. “I am?”
His face reddens, a sure sign that he’s lost hold of any vestige of patience. “For fuck’s sake, Sloane. Could we have one rational conversation?”
Beside me, Lo sucks in a breath. Brian subtly turns, surveying the room rather than looking at either of us. Cal grimaces, but he keeps his mouth shut.
I’m not surprised by Sully’s outburst. It’s par for the course, honestly. If he doesn’t get his way, he loses it.
And I don’t have the bandwidth to put up with it. We have a child who acts the same way, who’s too young to have a handle on his emotions and reactions.ThatI can handle. But I refuse to let a grown man who should know better behave that way.
“Yes, I’m pregnant. And yes, my last pregnancy was difficult, so I may need help.” I glance down at my hands, hating to admit that kind of weakness. Yes, I’m a stubborn ass sometimes, but I won’t ever allow my pride to get in the way of the well-being of my child. I want this baby so badly, and I won’t do anything to risk this pregnancy. My hands tremble in my lap at the mere thought of things going wrong. “So I’m moving in here to be with Lo. IneedLo. She’s here, so I’m here.”
Lo squeezes my forearm, making it difficult to maintain my tough-bitch façade. If I’m not careful, I’ll end up in tears.
Sully lowers his head and gives it a shake. Then he hefts the suitcase he carried up again and heads forhisroom. “You’re moving in withme,” he says without looking back. “I’m helping you with this pregnancy because you’re carryingmychild and you’remy wife.”
