Page 107 of Wed to You-
Jagger laughed, but it was bittersweet. “About your mom. She loves you a lot, just like I do.”
“I know.”
“She’d like to spend more time with you. Like have you stay with her at her house sometimes.”
Kaden looked up from his ice cream. “Why?”
“Because she loves you. She’s your mom.” The words tasted bitter in his mouth, but he reminded himself Kaden was an innocent bystander.
Kaden bit his lip, and Jagger wished he’d made that plane. “The thing is, I want you to stay with me always.”
“Me too.”
“We went to a judge, and the judge said we have to share time with you.”
“Why can’t I stay with you and visit like I have been?”
Jagger’s heart shattered in little pieces. “I wish you could. I wanted you to. Kaden? Look at me, okay?”
Kaden looked at Jagger.
“I love you, and your mom loves you. We have to share because we both love you. I don’t want you to ever think I don’t want you with me, because I do.”
“Jonny Lee’s parents live in two different homes.”
“Yes, it’s like that.”
“I’ve never been to her house. What if I don’t have a bed? What about my toys?” Tears filled Kaden’s eyes. Jagger’s stung with them as well.
“I’m sure you’ll have your own room. You can have toys for her house and my house. Or you can take some of the toys you have there.”
“I don’t want to go.”
Jagger blew out a breath. He stood and walked to Kaden’s side of the table, squatting down next to him. “It will be okay. No matter what, I’m always going to love you and be there for you. Okay?”
Kaden nodded, but his tears continued to flow.
“We’ll be okay, Kaden.” He hugged the boy, not caring when theice cream cone fell down his back. He offered to buy Kaden another one, but he’d withdrawn. Jagger felt the same and tossed his ice cream into the trash.
“We’re going home now.”
“Your house?” Kaden looked up, panic etching his tiny features.
“Yes. Tonight you’re with me.”
He strapped Kaden into his booster seat and then headed home.
When they walked in the door, he told Kaden to bring his backpack upstairs. Kaden was barely on the first step when Chelsea, Grayson, Miss Z, and Mrs. Stanton rushed into the foyer.
“Oh, thank God.” Chelsea launched herself at him, but he took her arms and pushed her away.
“Don’t.” Jagger heard Mitch walk in the door behind him. He turned his wrath on him. The anger he’d hidden from Kaden burst through. “I’m home. You don’t need to babysit me anymore.”
Mitch stood near the door, like a guard.
“Jagger. You did the right thing—”
He whirled back on Chelsea. “You betrayed me. I was ready to give you everything. All of me, and you betrayed me.”
