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“No one,” Tammy said. “But we’re not dumb. Jackie told us to be nice to you this weekend, and I knew they would start the whole split custody nonsense within weeks.”
“They did,” I said. “Thank you for offering free food, but I’ll still pay.”
“Nope. I won’t let you.”
“But—”
“Do you think I won’t shred a card if you hand it to me?” She raised an eyebrow, and Mollie laughed.
“She’s not the one you try to out-stubborn, Cain.”
“No one in this town is,” I muttered as I sat.
Tammy smirked before getting our drink order. While she was gone, I only had a few minutes to check my phone for an update on Eric before someone else was at our table.
“Hey, Cain.” Atticus gave me a half smile. “You know how I like to cook. I made extra of my bread with the eggs I buy from you.” He set down a loaf on the table. “You should have it.”
“Oh, uh, thanks? But if you want it?—”
He waved his hand and disappeared before I could finish my sentence.
“What was that?”
“Not sure, but this bread looks so good.”
“Everyone is acting?—”
“Cain!” a high-pitched voice called, and Kerry waltzed up to the table. “I brought cookies!”
“You too?” I asked. “I mean, I appreciate it, but?—”
“Well, we’re trying to be nice since this is the weekend—” She stopped herself. “I mean, uh, this is a completely and totally normal weekend.”
“You know.”
“I do. Sorry. But it’snotin the Facebook group.”
“Then how did Atticus know?”
“I think we all figured it out, so you better prepare yourself.”
“To be in the gossip mill again?”
“To get taken care of. Don’t you know how we do that?”
“Not really.”
“We givefood,silly. We did for Donny’s funeral, though now I regret that.” Her face morphed into disgust as she talked about Jackie’s ex. “And we’ll check in.”
“But I don’t need all of this.”
“It’s not about what youneed.It’s about us caring to help where we can. Obviously, we all wanted you to keep sole custody, but Judge Asshole decided not to do that.”
“JudgeAsshole?”I laughed. “Interesting name.”
“Our letters were very clear.” She crossed her arms. “But whatever. We can do other things to support you.”
I had no idea what to say, but the heat creeping up my cheeks was unmistakable.