Page 80 of Connectio

I look at Will, his eyes fixed on Evan. “I’m…” I rub my forehead. “I’m not sure.”

“Because if there is, I’m gonna need to find out who this new boyfriend creep is.”

I turn to face him as the bell rings, and the kids filter out of the room. “You will do no such thing. There are proper avenues and channels to go through.”

“Shit like that takes time.” Will’s eyes follow Evan like a cat would a mouse. “Time a little kid like Evan might not have.”

I watch Evan too as he meets his mother, and she quickly ushers him toward the car park.

“Will, as noble as your concern might be, this has nothing to do with you.”

“As a human fucking being who doesn’t like to stand by while the strong hurt the weak, it has everything to do with me.”

I touch his arm, and his eyes meet mine, fury blazing within them. I can’t deny I feel the same wrath, because I do, fear and anger rolling through me like thunder. To think one of my kids is possibly being harmed makes me sick to my stomach. But something like this needs to be dealt with correctly, and I intend on doing that.

“Just let me do my job. I’m mandated to report any suspected abuse. I have no reason to suspect it right now based solely on what Dylan just said, but I’ll fill in a report and speak to Evan on Monday. I promise.”

He clicks his jaw from side to side but nods.

I relax. “Good. Now tell me about this boxing lesson. What time and where?”

The skin at the corners of his eyes crinkle. “I’ll pick you up at nine.”

* * *

Will’struck engine cuts outside the front of my home, and I smile as I glance at my watch. One minute to nine. Impressive! He might not be Prince-Charming-perfect, but my God he’s punctual.

I quickly throw on a loose tank top over my sports bra, smooth down my Lorna Jane yoga tights, and pull my ponytail taut.

“Let’s get this over with,” I say to my reflection in the mirror before grabbing my water bottle and handbag.

Carly and Will’s voices travel along the hallway until I find them both in the lounge room, Sasha once again in Will’s arms.

I scruff her golden fur, smile, but shake my head. “Such a spoilt girl, aren’t you?”

Her jaw opens, and her tongue flops out of her mouth.

“Ready to be jabbed?” Will asks, his smile all teeth.

“Pardon?”

“Are. You. Ready. To. Be. Jabbed?”

My brows draw together. “That doesn’t sound pleasant.”

“Sweetheart, when I jab, it’s as fuckin’ pleasant as it gets.”

Carly laughs, shoves a mouthful of cereal into her gob, and mumbles, “’Ave a ‘ood ‘ime.” She waves her fingers and dribbles milk onto her chin.

“Charming.” I turn to Will and point at Sasha. “You need to put her down. We can’t take her with us.”

He pouts. “Goodbye, beautiful.”

Sasha’s wayward tongue smothers his face, and he lets it before placing her on the ground.

“After you,” he says, gesturing with his arm that I walk ahead of him.

“Thank you.”