Page 51 of Fierce-Trent

“I know how to ride,” Eli said proudly.

“What?” she asked. “How?”

“Uncle Michael and Dad have been teaching me on Mikey’s bike for weeks.”

Her smile fell from her face. She should have figured that was happening and Jeff never said a word to her about it. “How come you haven’t said anything to me?”

“Because Dad told me not to,” Eli said. “He thought you’d get mad and say that I was too young and could get hurt. Should I have told you? I told him I wanted to tell you because I was so excited I could do it on my own.”

She felt her eyes fill with tears and forced herself to not let them drop. She wouldn’t take away from her son’s excitement because she was grieving she missed this milestone in his life.

“I want you to always tell me everything,” she said. “We talked about this. I wouldn’t have been mad or worried any more than I am after buying you your own bike.”

“I told Dad that, but he didn’t believe me. Can I show you how I can ride?”

“I’d like to see that,” she said.

“Let’s go outside and let you look your new bike over before you get on it,” Jax said.

“I’ll bring his helmet out,” she said.

Her mother stayed inside with her. “I can’t stand Jeff,” her mother said. “What an asshole.”

“He’s not going to change. It’s just a little thing.”

“It’s not a little thing,” her mother said. “You’ve been looking forward to this and teaching him. Jeff took that from you. He should have told you.”

“Why?” she said. “It’s not like I told him I was buying Eli a bike.”

“Don’t make excuses for him,” her mother said. “It’s not the same thing. You wouldn’t have told Eli not to tell Jeff he got a bike, right?”

“Of course not,” she said.

“That’s right. Because you’re not that way. He’ll get what is coming to him in his life.”

“It’s not worth it,” she said.

Her mother sighed. “You’re right. It’s not. I just wish you’d move on and find someone else and see not all men are assholes like Jeff.”

“I don’t think that,” she said.

“Then prove it and get out there and try again.”

She wanted to tell her mother she was dating someone, but it wasn’t the time. Maybe tomorrow she’d do it. For now she wanted to go see her son ride his new bike even if she wasn’t the one that got to teach him.

18

Raise That Point

The next morning, Roni brought Eli to Jeff’s house.

She got out of the car and walked up the front steps with her son. She made sure she was right on time, but Jeff still hadn’t opened the door, forcing her to ring the bell.

Jeff opened it right away as if he was waiting for her to do it.

“Hi, Dad,” Eli said.

“Do I get a high five for your birthday? We’re going to go to Grandma and Grandpa’s this afternoon for your party.”

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