Page 98 of Fight For Us
“You look like shit, son.” His brows drew together and he leaned on the desk with his forearms.
“Thanks… Matches how I feel.” I sat in the chair opposite him and brought my head into my hands.
“Pardon me for saying this but, what the fuck? Your mother called me a little while ago in a tizzy. Said Olivia is moving out. Care to fill me in?”
I looked up to see if he was bullshitting but his face was as hard as stone. “What did she say?”
“I just told you. She asked your mother to pick up Lilly and said she’s moving out.”
“Fuck,” I groaned. “I don’t know what you want me to say, Dad. I don’t blame her. She deserves so much better than me. Lilly does, too.”
“That’s the biggest crock of shit I’ve ever heard. You’ve got to stop beating yourself up about what happened. It’s been eight years. Dylan would kick your ass if he could. Yes, what happened was horrible and I know you’ll never fully forgive yourself, but come on. You’re a good man. A good father and from what I’ve seen, a good husband. You won’t grow and get better unless you give yourself a chance.” He pulled a hand through his hair, the same way I always did when I was stressed and stared me down.
“Dad, I hate to tell you this but my marriage with Olivia isn't real. We did it to help each other out. It doesn’t matter anyway. Regina is coming after me with her lawyers and everything will end up fucked in the end.”
“That’s bullshit and you know it. Regina won’t win, not if you fight. And Olivia—real or not you care about each other. Hell, I’d be willing to bet my life that you’re in love with her. And I know that scares you but you can’t throw that away. Take it from an old man, women like Olivia and your mother are once in a lifetime.” He pushed to a stand, grunting from the effort. “I’ve gotta get home to console your distraught mother, but I hope you sit here and figure out a way to make things right.”
He left without another word, while I stayed and went over everything he said. I couldn’t believe she left. It made sense that she would, but still, I didn’t expect her to up and leave so fast. My father was right about one thing. I was a fucking asshat. I needed to figure out how to make things right.
With my head hung low, I asked the only person I could ever really talk to for some guidance. “Dylan, if you’re listening, help me out here. What the fuck should I do?”
I left work early, in time to pick up Lilly from school so my mom didn’t have to. Maybe I’d catch Olivia and at least apologize for the way I acted with the cellphone. There was no reason for me to go off the way I did. No reason for anyone to act that way.
The sun beat down on my head from a cloudless sky as I walked across the parking lot toward the area where parents waited at the school gates. My tired eyes squinted against the brightness. I noticed a police car parked along the curb and a few people chatting near it. As I got closer, I saw Regina in the group, speaking quietly with an officer.
My fists clenched at my side but I pushed my anger deep down. Taking a breath, I greeted them in the most friendly way I could muster.
“Regina, what are you doing here?” I forced a smile through gritted teeth, nodding my head at the young male officer.
“I don’t want any problems, Wesley.” She handed me a document with a satisfied grin. I scanned the front page but before I could read it she said, “That’s a temporary custody order. As you know, Savannah already signed over guardianship to Gerald and me. We’re taking Lilly with us.”
“Here at her school? I knew you were a piece of work but this is low.” I glanced at the cop again, grinding my teeth. My entire body strained to let my pent-up anger loose. I let out a controlled breath and asked, “Why are you doing this? You have to know this is wrong.”
She stepped closer to me, still wearing a smug grin. The fucking nerve of that woman. How could someone I once loved come from a mother like her?
“It’s not me you need to blame. This is coming from Savannah. Maybe if you were a better father, this wouldn’t be happening.”
The end of day bell rang and within seconds, kids of all ages came flooding through the gate. I clenched my fists, wanting to turn and get the hell out of there, but I couldn’t. Not without talking to Lilly.
I scanned the crowd for any sign of her, Olivia, or even Alex and finally I saw a head of dark hair I knew better than my own. Turning to Regina I shoved down my anger and pleaded, “My wife is over there. Please don’t leave with Lilly until I can speak with her.”
She narrowed her eyes at me but nodded. “Don’t try anything. My friend here will make sure you won’t get away with it.”
What the hell did she think I’d do?
I walked over to Olivia as fast as I could. Out of breath and frantic, I tapped her shoulder. “Tiger, I’m so glad to see you.”
A flurry of emotions played out across her face. Shock, disappointment, anger. She looked away from me, searching the crowd for Alex. “Not now, Wes. We can talk later. Alone.”
“I know you’re angry at me. Fuck.” I lowered my voice as a mother scowled at me. “I deserve it. Please, Regina is here.”
Her eyes widened and she twisted her body to look around. “Here? Like at school?”
“Over there.” I pointed to where she stood waiting with the cop.
“What’s—”
“There’s no time for questions. She’s here to take Lilly.” I handed her the paperwork. “It’s an order of temporary guardianship. I don’t know the details but … What should I do?”
