Page 77 of Love…It's Complicated

With a fierce step, Will gets closer to Tyler in a challenging manner. “Watch your mouth.”

I look around at the lobby filled with parents hugging children and handing over bouquets of flowers. Luckily, no one can see the pissing match of testosterone taking place right now.

Tyler lifts an accusatory finger. “You have a problem with me protecting my son?”

“No. It’s the only intelligent thing I’ve heard you say. My problem is with the way you talk about Melissa.”

“You don’t know the history we have, so why don’t you mind your business and let me talk to my wife?” Tyler goes to move around Will, but the officer blocks him with his body, looking down with a steel-cut gaze that causes me to gasp at its severity.

“She’s not yours.”

Tyler blinks a few times, as if realizing what he said.Wife.The rapid spin of his body, presumably to look for Maisie, is followed by a quick sigh-like curse from his lips.

Despite his cool composure, Will’s fist curls at his side. I place my hand over his to relax him. Tyler’s eyes follow the motion. This pissed off yet slightly defeated quality he bears right now is unnerving.

“Before I let anyone around my kids, I want to know everything about them. Maybe I should take you back to court and—”

“That’s enough, Tyler.” Dad takes purposeful steps forward, forcing Will and me to take a step back. “If you’re saying my daughter is mishandling Hunter’s safety, then you’re saying the same for me. I’m home when they do their magic. It’s odd at best, sure, but William’s devoted a good amount of his free time to make sure your son did the show he wanted. Yes, he’s your son, which is why, since you weren’t the first one to do this nonsense with him, you should be thanking the man for stepping in. I dressed up as goddamn Colonel Sanders for Halloween one year because this one wanted to be a chicken.”

My head nods at the memory. “This is true. I was an adorable chicken.”

“Before you question what goes on in my house, I want you to think about what goes on in yours. Last I heard, you had my grandson in the hospital with his head in a halo and his wrist in a cast.” Despite the rise in his voice, his stature remains steady.

Dad puts his hand on Tyler’s shoulder and levels his eyes with him. With a softer tone, Dad gives one final warning. “Walk away. You know how to do that. Just walk away.”

Tyler nods. In many ways, Tyler will always be the young boy seeking Dad’s approval. The thick swallow in his throat and widening of his stance are from a man who is trying to regain his footing in a troubling situation. “I’m taking the kids home with me tonight. It’s still my weekend.”

“I want to say good-bye to them.”

He buttons his blazer and squares his shoulders. “You have five minutes because we’re out of here.”

I turn to Will and Dad, letting them know I’ll be right back, then follow Tyler through the lobby.

Most of the people have left now, about a quarter of them remaining, milling about. Hunter, Izzy, and Maisie are talking with the principal. When Tyler and I get to them, we are inundated with comments on how wonderful the performance was. Every time the principal brings up Will’s name, Tyler’s jaw clenches, but Hunter’s smile broadens. As the conversation wraps up, I give my kids hugs and let them know I’ll see them tomorrow.

By the time I get back from saying good-bye to the kids, Dad is the only one standing in the lobby where I left him. “Where’s Will?”

“He left.”

“Oh.” My back softens, as if deflated. I wrap my scarf around my neck and frown.

Dad fiddles with the buttons of his coat as we walk toward the exit. I shuffle my feet across the pavement of the parking lot, kicking tiny pebbles away. It’s cold tonight, far chillier than it has been this season.

Tonight was fun. Awesome actually. Yet why do I feel like a kid who had her hot chocolate with whipped cream and a cherry on top taken away before she got to take a sip?

Dad takes a cap out of his pocket and places it on his head.

“He’s a good man, that William. I think he’s growing on me.”

The side of my face rises with anI told you sosmile. “Proved you wrong. Looks like he actually does do magic. No one could have pulled that off unless they knew what they were doing.”

He lets out a harrumph sound. “I’m also right too. That man likes you. A lot.”

“Dad.” I dismiss his assumption.

“Don’t make this weird,” he commands with a stop.

I turn to him, standing in the parking lot. He’s not one for making a scene or getting involved in other people’s business unless it’s mine. Tonight, it looks like he’s going two for two.

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