Page 72 of Thick & Thin

I started to say something, but my eyes flickered to Josh’s, and the words stopped in my throat, making me sputter and cough. I tried again, but just as I opened my mouth to speak, Caleb interrupted me.

“Nanny, I miss Poppa,” he said to Mrs. Black, making her tear even more.

She stood and took Caleb into her arms and held him close. “I know, baby boy. I miss him, too.”

My eyes went to Josh’s yet again, but instead of looking at me, he was staring at his mother, and the boy he had no idea was his son. His nostrils flared in anger, but it was hurt I saw in his eyes. It was crushing him to watch his mother with Caleb, and I wasn’t sure why.

I stood there, unsure of what to do, until finally Caleb looked up at me, and said, “Mommy, I’m hungry. My tummy roared at me.”

He held his arms out for me to take him, and I pulled him into my arms, resting him on my hip. Josh stared, his eyes moving over Caleb before his angry expression dropped and was replaced with so much sadness that it made my knees weak.

He knew.

His expression said he was devastated, and while yes, he was burying his father, I was sure his expression had everything to do with seeing Caleb on my hip.

“I’m so sorry for your loss. Mr. Black was like a second dad to me, and it breaks my heart that he’s no longer with us. Like Dad said, if you need anything, please let us know.”

Quicker than I should have, I backed away from the family and started toward my car. Lilly called out from behind me, but I ignored her. Caleb latched on to me, his little arms around my neck in a crushing grip.

“Are we going to McDonalds, Mommy?”

Tears caught in my throat, and I blinked to clear the ones pressing at my tear ducts. “Yes, baby. Do you want a happy meal?”

I didn’t wait for Dad. He could catch a ride with Devin and Lilly. Quickly, I buckled Caleb in his seat and closed the passenger side door. I was ready to get the hell out of there, but when I turned to go toward the driver’s side, I walked straight into Josh’s chest.

His hands came up and caught my biceps, and the heat from his touch rushed through my body, leaving me feeling weak and desperate for more. I couldn’t look him in the face. Instead, I opted to stare down at his shiny black shoes. I knew what was coming. He would want answers I wasn’t ready to give. What would everyone say when they found out I had kept the truth about Josh being Caleb’s father from everyone? From his family, who had raised Caleb like a grandson anyway. If I didn’t like the town gossiping about me, I really wouldn’t like it when the entire town hated me for lying to “the golden boy.”

I closed my eyes and prepared myself for what was coming, but Josh surprised me when he said, “You have some balls showing up here.”

I looked up in shock.

“Excuse me?”

That was not what I had expected him to say at all.

“You heard me.”

I shook my arms from his grasp and backed away. “What do you want, Josh?” I sighed in exhaustion.

“I thought we understood that we’d stay away from each other.”

“You thought I would skip Dad’s—”

“Don’t call him that,” he snapped, cutting me off.

“You thought I’d miss his funeral? What kind of person do you think I am, Josh?”

“A cold-hearted bitch.”

Anger rushed up my spine, and I exploded.

“You know what! I’ve kept quiet while you’ve been a total asshole toward me because I felt bad for you since your dad just died, but there’s only so much of your bullshit I’ll take, Josh, and you know it. You know me. You know how I am.”

He chuckled sarcastically. “I don’t know you at all.”

“Whatever. I don’t have time for this.” I turned to walk away, but he stopped me.

“Mom said you haven’t been by since Dad died. Don’t stay away on my account. Especially if she wants to see you, but make sure I’m not around. Just don’t upset her anymore, okay?”

---