Page 83 of Mr. Infuriating (Mister #1)

Gretchen

On Thursday, Jake must have had a rough day at daycare, because he fell asleep on the couch right after dinner.

So, a little before six, the time we’d scheduled for Brayden’s tutoring session, I kept an eye out for Gabe’s truck in order to open the door to keep them from ringing the doorbell.

I was surprised to find Britt and Brayden walking up the drive while Gabe waved at me from the cab of his truck, then pulled out of my driveway.

“Your dad’s not staying?”

Britt remarked, “He said he’d be back in an hour,” as she walked through the door.

“Oh.”

Apparently, our days of spending any time together were over.

It was probably just as well.

But it didn’t mean it still didn’t sting.

I thought we’d agreed we’d at least be friend ly ?

I tried to school my expression when Brayden followed, but I don’t think I hid my hurt feelings fast enough, because he offered, “He had some errands to run that couldn’t wait,” with a sheepish expression.

I knew he was lying but wanted to hug him for trying to spare my feelings.

“My cabinets took up a lot of his free time lately, I’m sure he’s behind on a lot of things.”

“Bit-nee! Bwaydon! ”

Jake slid off the couch still bleary-eyed and ran toward our visitors, then stopped short, looked around, and held his hands out in a questioning manner.

“Where Bandit?”

“Gabe has to work, baby.”

Fortunately, Gabe’s kids were an acceptable substitute because he didn’t question it further.

Thirty minutes later, the doorbell rang, and Jake’s eyes lit up as he squealed, “Bandit!” and raced toward the door.

I know the feeling, baby.

“Stop!” I commanded from my spot next to Brayden at the dining room table. “Do little kids answer the door?”

He danced in place, antsy to see Gabe, but dutifully replied, “No.”

Britt asked, “Can I answer the door?”

I nodded with a solemn smile. “You may answer the door,” then braced myself to see the sexy carpenter.

We only had one more tutoring session before summer, and I wouldn’t see him for three months.

As much as I hated the idea, I admitted, it was probably for the best. It might give my heart some time to heal.

I heard Britt call, “Uh, Ms. Kelly?”

Followed by a voice I recognized snarl, “Her name is Mrs . Wainwright.”

Son of a bitch.

I slid my chair away from the table and told Brayden, “Keep working; I’ll be right back.”

Troy stood in the foyer glaring at me, while Brittany held Jake protectively on her hip out of arm’s reach from him .

I didn’t want to have a faceoff in front of the kids, so I grabbed Troy’s elbow, stepped to the side, and harshly whispered, “What are you doing here, Troy?”

“I thought I’d stop and see you guys. I told you, I’m going to get my little family back, Gretch.”

I ignored the part where he said he was going to get us back. That wasn’t happening.

“And I told you yesterday that you can’t just show up unannounced. I’m working .”

“How was I supposed to know that?”

“You weren’t. Hence, the reason you call and schedule something in advance.”

“I’m not going to make an appointment to see my son, Gretch.”

His ballsiness took me aback.

“Actually, if you want to see him at all, yes you will.”

I didn’t want to get in a pissing contest with him, so I tried to soften my tone. “If I know you’re coming, I can get him ready to see you.”

“I don’t care what he’s wearing.”

I took a deep breath through my nose and willed myself to remain calm.

“ Mentally . Get him ready mentally.”

His scowl indicated he did not like the idea of Jake having to mentally prepare to see his dad.

“As far as he’s concerned, you’re a stranger. He doesn’t know you anymore, Troy.”

He announced, “There’s no time like the present,” and barged past me .

“Hey, Jakester!” He held out his hands, like that was supposed to make him more welcoming as he approached where Brittany had moved Jake into the family room. “Come here and see your dad.”

Jake clung to Britt’s leg and looked the other way, and I noticed Troy’s face had turned red. I wasn’t in the mood for this shit.

“Now is not the time. I have clients,” I hissed.

He looked over at Brayden, who was now watching the scene intently, then at Britt, then back at me.

“Fine,” he bit out. “I’ll pick you up tomorrow at five-thirty,” then spun on the ball of his heel and stormed toward the front door but paused to look at me over his shoulder.

“I’m going to prove myself worthy again, Gretch. You’ll see.”

I didn’t respond, just stayed frozen in place until he closed the door then turned to the kids and offered an apologetic smile. Their brows were marred with worry.

“I’m so sorry, guys.”

Britt came over and wrapped her arms around my middle.

“It’s not your fault.”

****

Gabe

I sat at my brother’s bar, nursing a beer while I waited for Brayden’s tutoring session to end.

A pretty brunette sat down at the next barstool and proceeded to flirt with me, complete with pawing my chest and rubbing her tits against my arm while Derrick looked on with an amused grin.

I wasn’t the least bit interested but figured it would help pass the time until I could pick the kids up.

My phone buzzed in my pocket with multiple incoming text messages.

Britt: Dad, you need to come NOW! Gretchen’s ex-husband is here and acting like a jerk.

Brayden: Are you close by? We have a situation.

I was out of my seat in an instant, mumbling, “I gotta go,” and headed toward the door without waiting to hear the woman’s response.

I typed out a text on my way to my truck.

Me: Be right there.

I received a reply instantly.

Britt: You don’t have to come right away. Everything’s okay. He left.

I didn’t give a shit. The fucker could come back.

Me: I don’t care. I’ll be there in five minutes.

****

Gretchen

I apologized again to Gabe’s kids. They were gracious and awesome with their response, and I loved them a little more than I already did.

Britt turned on an episode of Bluey, and she and Jake got comfortable on the couch, while Brayden turned his attention back to the homework in front of him.

I put my hand on Brayden’s shoulder and said, “Let’s finish this and call it a night. We’ll review for finals on Sunday.”

He nodded. “Okay, that sounds like a good idea.”

We’d barely gotten started when a loud knock came from my front door, followed by the doorbell.

I let out a big sigh and said, “I’m so sorry guys,” as I stood up.

Britt looked over at me and replied sheepishly, “I think it’s Dad.”

That’d been a pretty aggressive knock.

“Really?”

“Yeah, he texted a few minutes ago and said he was on his way.”

I peeked through the window and saw Gabe’s black Ford, then opened the door.

He had a lot of nerve showing up to my house looking as good as he did in those jeans and black polo.

“Hi,” I said with a welcoming smile and stepped aside. “Come in. We’re almost done. Maybe fifteen more minutes.”

I could feel the annoyance vibrating off him when he stepped inside without so much as a word to me as he looked around.

Jake noticed Gabe, and exclaimed, “Bandit!” before running to greet him.

A genuine smile spread across Gabe’s face, and he knelt down to embrace my son. My breath caught in my throat at how much the two obviously cared about each other.

“Hey, kiddo. Whatcha doing?”

“Watching Bluey.” Jake reached for Gabe’s hand. “Come on.” Gabe followed him into the family room without argument and without another glance my way.