Page 27 of Fight For Us
We both went through our nighttime routine. For me it was packing Alex’s lunch for school, tidying up the kitchen and getting into comfy PJ’s with thick socks. While Alex showered and got ready for bed I thought about how to approach the failing school conversation. I knew I couldn’t come across asmad or disappointed or he’d shut down. Did I threaten to take his video games away until he got his grades up? Or was that too harsh?
I groaned. This parenting gig was so hard. Everything was easier when Alex was little and my only worry was taking him to the park and helping him learn his alphabet.
He padded out into the kitchen with his damp curls combed straight down. “Can I have a snack before bed?”
“Sure. Grab whatever you want and come sit on the couch with me.”
“Whatever I want? Even the stash of candy you put on top of the fridge?”
“How’d you know? You know what, nevermind. Go ahead, but let me take it down first.” I grabbed the bowl and snagged a Reese’s for myself before heading to the couch. When Alex sat beside me, unwrapping a Kit Kat, I figured it was now or never. “I talked with Mrs. Nolan tonight. Looks like you’re not doing so well in school. Want to talk about it?”
He crunched into the chocolate, chewing slowly. “Not really.”
“Are you having a hard time with the lessons? Maybe we can find you a tutor. I’m sure Aunt Mia could help with math.”
“I don’t need help.” He balled up the wrapper, sticking it on the coffee table and got to work opening a bite-sized bag of Skittles. Out of instinct, I reached for the garbage but remembered this was my home, not my parent’s. I could leave a wrapper on a table for ten minutes.
“Okay,” I said thoughtfully. “If it’s not that, then what’s going on? I know it’s been hard since your accident. Did you fall behind from missing school?”
“Nothing’s going on. School is dumb, okay?” His voice was laced with agitation. “Can I go to bed now?”
I sat back, confused and overwhelmed. Alex has had his moments like any kid, but he’s never disliked school or gotten irritated over it.
“Alex, I only want to help you. If you don’t get your grades up there’s a chance they won’t let you move on to sixth grade. Maybe we can make a plan tomorrow? Try and catch up over the holiday break? We could ask Lilly to join us?”
“Whatever. I don’t care.” He got up and started to walk away. I clenched my teeth as anger flared through me.
“It’s rude to talk to me that way. You’re grounded. Bring me your gaming remotes.”
“Fine.” He stomped off with his head hanging low and returned with two controllers. I looked away to hide the moisture collecting in the corner of my eye. This was new ground for us. He was my little buddy. My sidekick. He’d never shut me out this way before.
I wiped my eyes and turned to say goodnight but he’d already gone back into his room and closed the door.
“How’d it go?” I found Wes sitting at his desk the next morning when I went to stash my purse away. It looked like he had about as rough a night as I did telling from the shadows under his eyes and his extra day of stubble on the normally shaven parts of his face. I fiddled with a messy pile of paperwork on his desk to break my focus from how good he looked with a soft, sleepy expression.
He scrubbed a palm down his face. “Not great. She was quiet. One word answers.”
“Alex, too. Well actually, he got irritated with me for caring.” Guilt gnawed at my gut. “I kinda let my anger get away from me. Grounded him.” I sunk into the extra chair facing him. “Did you tell your parents?”
“No.” He blew out a breath. “Not yet. I’ll have to tell my mom about her grades though. They’ve been letting Lilly do whatever she wants from what I’ve seen. I wonder if she’s even having Lilly do homework at all.”
“At least their break is coming. It’ll give us a chance to figure this out, catch them up.” At the mention of the holidays, I caught him grinding his teeth. “I wanted to ask if I could pick up more hours here too. Since Alex will be home with a sitter, I won’t have to rush out to get him from school.” And I needed the extra money, but I didn’t tell him that. Hospital bills were coming in the mail every other day and the physical therapy costs alone ate up my entire savings.
He blinked, focusing his tired eyes on me. “Don’t you need to be home with Alex? What about his physical therapy?”
“Don’t worry about it. I’ll figure it out.” He held my gaze for what felt like minutes before I looked away. I was afraid if he stared too closely he’d see how much I was fumbling through every aspect of my life. I hadn’t even been to Krav class in the past few weeks since Kendahl moved to LA. All this pent up frustration and fear swirled through me but I tugged a smile in place everyday. I had no choice anymore but to figure my shit out.
The door creaked and Thea peeked her head in. “Getting busy out there, Boss.”
“Be right out,” he said. She nodded and turned the corner toward the kitchen.
“I should get out there too.”
He stood and grabbed his chef coat from the back of his chair. I had to leave but I caught myself watching the way his black undershirt fit against his chest as he slipped his arms into his jacket. I needed some sort of Wes flooding program. Where I’d get shown peeks of him in his street clothes everyday so when I was in front of him this way I could function normally. He cleared his throat.
“We can talk about the schedule later. Can’t go overworking yourself.”
My first instinct was to thank him but then I let his words sink in. “I can decide what’s too much for myself.” I stuck my chin out for emphasis.
