Page 10 of Creed (Satan’s Fury MC- Little Rock #6)

“Good.” I stood and started out of her room as I said, “Finish with your clothes, and I’ll get dinner started.”

I slipped out and made my way down to Austin’s room. I knew it was doubtful that he would want to talk to me, but I wanted him to know that I was there if he needed me. I tapped on his door, and after a thud and rustled commotion, he called out, “Yeah?”

“It’s me.” I eased the door open and was surprised to find him sitting upright at the end of his bed. “You good?”

“Yeah. Why wouldn’t I be?”

“No reason.” I shrugged. “So, everything was good at your dad’s?”

He gave me a look, then rolled his eyes. “Chrissy told you, didn’t she?”

“If you’re talking about the new girlfriend, yes. She mentioned it.” He looked so sad and defeated. It made me want to go over and kiss and hug him like I did when he was little, but I forced myself to stay put as I said, “She said it didn’t go so well.”

“It wasn’t that bad.” His eyes drifted to the ground. “It was just different.”

“I can imagine. It might’ve been better if you guys had known the girlfriend was going to be there.”

“Maybe, but I got the feeling it wouldn’t have mattered.”

“What do you mean?”

“He acted like a tool and rode us most of the weekend. I don’t know what his deal was. I guess he was too into her to… It doesn’t matter. The weekend is over now, so no use in dwellin’ on it.”

“Okay. You’re right. It’s over.” I didn’t want to push, so I just told him, “But if you want to talk later, I’m here.”

He nodded, and I took that as my cue to go. As I closed the door, I told him, “Dinner will be ready in half an hour.”

“Thanks, Mom.”

I closed his door and went on to the kitchen to make dinner.

I wanted to do what I could to make the kids’ night a little better, so I decided to make spaghetti.

It was easy and one of their favorites. I started pulling out all the ingredients, and the entire time, I was thinking about everything the kids had said.

I tried not to let this thing with him get in my head, but the hurt expressions on the kids’ faces were more than I could take. Austin wanted me to believe that he was unbothered by it all, but I could tell that it had gotten to him just as much as it had his sister.

I hated seeing them like that. I hated that he made them feel like they didn’t matter, and I wasn’t going to let him get away with it. I walked over to my purse and took out my phone. I hated confrontation, mainly because I wasn’t good at it. I could never think of the right thing to say.

I knew if I called and tried to have a normal conversation with him, he would twist things and make this all about me. He would find a way to say this whole thing was my fault. I didn’t want to deal with his nonsense, so I decided a text would be better.

Me :

A heads-up about the new girlfriend would’ve been nice.

The kids were pretty upset about it.

Brian:

Do I need to remind you? We’re divorced.

Who I date is none of your business.

Me:

Couldn’t care less who you date, Brian. But you blindsided the kids . That is my business.

Brian:

They were fine. You’re the only one making a big deal out of this.

Me:

No, they weren’t fine. Chrissy was in tears.

She didn’t feel like Brooklyn liked her and that you ignored them.

Brian:

Wow. That sounds like something you would say. Not her.

You need to stop coddling them. Maybe then, your daughter wouldn’t

exaggerate so much.

Me:

Your daughter telling me she felt ignored and like she didn’t matter isn’t an exaggeration. It’s hurt and disappointment.

Brian:

You’re just mad because I’ve moved on, and you haven’t.

Admit it. You’ve always had a problem with not being in control.

Me:

This has nothing to do with you moving on. I’m glad you’ve found someone. Good for you. But don’t make your kids collateral damage in your rebound phase. A heads-up would’ve gone a long way.

Brian:

I don’t need to run my life by you.

If I waited until you approved of everything, I’d still be miserable.

But that’s what you want, isn’t it? You want me miserable just like you are.

Me:

What I want is for you to have a shred of respect for the kids’ feelings. If you want to play house with someone new, that's fine. Go for it. But when the kids are with you, be a dad first.

Brian:

You’ve always been so damn dramatic.

The kids will get over it.

Me:

Yeah, kids usually do.

But they also remember .

That’s the part you never seem to get.

Brian:

I remember quite well.

I remember you packing your bags and walking out. You left. If the kids

are hurting, it’s on you.

I stared at my phone long after the screen went dark. I was stuck in a moment between past and present, and even though I tried not to let him get to me, the weight of his words settled into my chest. It was a familiar feeling.

He was an expert at finding ways to make me feel bad. I could’ve responded with some kind of defense or jab, but it wouldn’t have mattered. Brian would never own up to his mistake. If anything, he would just buckle down and put the blame on the kids.

With that thought in mind, I tossed my phone on the counter and tried to shake off the frustration. The kids were home. They were safe and loved, and in time, all of this would pass. I wished it would pass sooner than later, but unfortunately, I had a feeling that wasn’t going to be the case.