Chapter 24
Josie Thomas is one stubborn woman. And that woman is determined to distance herself from me.
Staying busy at the studio has helped, and I like hanging out with Austin and the band, but it hasn’t come close to distracting me from my Josie problem.
Austin even invited me to play poker at Jackson’s with some of the men around town, I’m sure to keep my mind off things, but I declined.
At basketball practice last night, Josie flew in right as we were getting started, then collected Jay at the end without a word to me.
A few moms stayed late, asking the most random questions, making sure to touch me on the arm with a ringless left hand, and a few bold ones who were wearing a ring.
But I can’t even recall what they looked like, because all my thoughts are stuck on one woman here in Singing River.
Today I decided to take Penny and Cassie’s advice, putting Operation Woo Josie into action.
The flowers were a small gesture, but Josie must have liked them, because to my surprise, she texted me.
We didn’t say much, but still, it gave me hope that things are looking up.
To add to my good mood, today is Abby’s math exam, and the last day of school before the start of Christmas break.
And I have a feeling Abby aced that exam.
Though my time tutoring her has come to an end, I show up like every other day, waving big when Lisa’s car comes into view.
Before Lisa has even cut the engine, Abby is flinging the door open, waving a paper above her head, full on sprinting across the lawn toward me.
“I made an A! Tyler! I made an A!” Abby shouts, barreling toward me.
She throws her arms around me with a force so hard I let out an oof sound.
When she pulls away, she thrusts the paper in my hand, and I study it.
My chest swells with pride that I’m able to be here for this moment, that I played a part in this with my daughter.
“I’m proud of ya, kiddo. You worked hard!” I tousle her hair and she walks back to the car to grab her backpack, that bright smile still on her face.
Meanwhile, Jay comes across the lawn and unceremoniously drops his backpack to the ground. “I made a C-plus,” he announces, holding up a fractions test.
“And…we’re happy with that, right?”
“Yep, good enough for me.”
I take his paper, looking over each problem. He seems pleased with his mark, so if he’s happy, I’m happy.
“Good job, man.” I raise a hand for a fist bump and he returns it.
“Wanna play Fortnite?” Jay asks, already heading toward the house.
Looking to Lisa for confirmation, she shrugs and nods.
When school starts back in the new year I might need to work on math with him, too, but today I’ll get in a couple games and leave before Josie gets home.
After the text from her earlier, thanking me for the flowers, I feel like I’m walking a fine line between doing too much and not doing enough, but I need something, anything that makes me feel close to her.
“Sure do.”
Jay and I are wrapping up our second game when I hear the front door open and close.
Josie is earlier than usual, and I’m still here.
I guess all my plans of giving her space just flew out the window.
Hushed whispers can be heard from the living room, and I go still, trying to catch what they’re saying.
Moments later, Josie appears holding the vase of flowers.
She’s wearing a small smile, one brow cocked and she doesn’t look like someone who feels crowded.
The anxiety I’ve been carrying for days loosens a fraction, and I return the smile, lifting a shoulder in a shrug.
“Wanna stay for dinner? I’m ordering pizza. Abby’s favorite meal. I also baked a cake last night for her. I had a feeling we’d be celebrating.”
This woman never ceases to amaze me. She teaches all day, visits her grandmother, takes Jay to practice, fulfills Etsy orders, and still finds the time to bake a cake. When on earth does she sleep?
“You sure?” I ask.
Josie nods. “You played a pretty big role in that A.”
Jay heaves a great sigh when my character dies, and I chuckle.
“Since you’re staying, let’s play another. And keep your guy alive this time,” Jay demands.
“I’ll try, man,” I say, and I catch Josie biting back a laugh.
It’s not long before a knock sounds at Josie’s door.
I stand to answer it, pay the delivery guy before she has a chance to protest, and head to the kitchen with two steaming hot boxes.
I place them next to two gingerbread house kits and an almost empty orange slice jar.
I turn right as Josie enters the kitchen.
Jay and Abby enter next and everyone grabs slices of pizza. We take our seats at the table, and I quietly observe Josie and her kids as they talk about the comings and goings of Singing River, school, and life in general.
“Mom, can we build those tonight?” Abby asks, tilting her head toward the Gingerbread kits.
Josie nods. “If you want to, sure.” And after a second, she adds, “How ’bout we have a competition. One hour to build, maybe teams?”
“Dibs on Tyler!” Jay and Abby shout simultaneously, before the words are barely out of Josie’s mouth.
My eyes connect with Josie’s across the table. Josie tries to look affronted that they both chose me, but I can tell behind her expression she’s pleased. A silent conversation takes place between the two of us that looks a lot like this:
Raised eyebrows from Josie: Do you want to stay?
A scowl from me: What do you think?
Looks like I’m staying for a gingerbread house competition.
“Jay, you’ve had plenty of Tyler’s time today. Let Abby team up with him.”
Jay cuts his eyes at Abby, but begrudgingly agrees, catching a string of pizza cheese in his mouth.
Abby leans my way and, behind her hand, she whispers, “Are you good at these? Mom always wins.”
The kitchen is small, and Josie easily overhears. “Abby, how do you know Tyler isn’t some award-winning gingerbread house builder? For all you know, he’s won competitions worldwide.” Josie smiles at me across the table.
“Have you?” Abby asks skeptically.
I chew the inside of my cheek. “I have not,” I admit. “In fact, I haven’t built one of these since I was probably your age. But also what your mom doesn’t know is that I like a challenge. We’ll build the best house the Thomas family has ever seen.”
Abby grins across the table at me.
We finish up our pizza, and Abby and I grab our kit while Josie and Jay grab the other. Josie leaves and comes back a minute later, lugging a folding card table. I stand and take it from her, setting it up next to the kitchen table.
Josie makes a big production of turning her house building supplies away from Abby and me, setting the box on its side to obstruct my and Abby’s view.
Abby looks at me and rolls her eyes like, can you believe those two? Rolling in my lips, I mimic the motion with an exaggerated eye roll of my own.
Taking my seat next to Abby, we work quietly while Josie peppers the kids with questions about their day.
“Amelia and I made plans to hang out over break,” Abby tells her. “Kayley and Samantha don’t even mess with me anymore since Amelia moved to town.”
From the corner of my eye, I watch for Josie’s reaction. Her brows lift, and I have no doubt she nipped that situation in the bud.
“I wanted to do whoops and poops,” Jay grumbles.
“Because you’re a child and like saying poop,” Abby shoots back.
“Abs,” Josie warns. “Jay, tell us how your day was. If you want to say whoop and poop, feel free.”
Jay makes a face at Abby, sticking out his tongue. “My whoop was lunch. It was peanut butter fudge day. Didn’t have a poop.” He cracks a smile, and Abby rolls her eyes to the ceiling.
“What about you?” Josie asks, turning to look at me. “How was your day?”
I tilt my head back and forth. “Pretty good day. A couple weeks ago Austin asked if I’d take over the studio’s accounting to help Penny out.
I’ve spent the week updating some systems and spreadsheets.
My day got even better when I saw those two math tests, though,” I say, looking first to Abby then to Jay.
When I dare to look at Josie, her mouth is slightly parted, brows cinched. “You’re working at the studio?”
I explain what Austin told me about Penny and her music. Josie falls quiet, those silvery blues regarding me.
“Mom, you haven’t done your day,” Jay says, bringing Josie from wherever her thoughts had gone.
“What?”
“Your day. Was it good?”
“Oh, right. My day.” Josie sighs. “Well, my students were off-the-chain wild. You’d think teenagers would be marginally calmer than children the day before the start of break, but you’d also be wrong.” Josie picks up a tube of icing, and one wall of their house.
“Get any gifts?” Abby asks, waggling her brows.
“You already know I did, or you wouldn’t be asking me that, child. Yes, Will Killian brought me a Christmas present.”
Abby makes a fake retching sound. Clearly I’m missing something. The look I’m wearing must say as much, because Abby makes a face and says, “All the guys have crushes on Mom. They call her a MILF.”
I wheeze out a laugh before I can stop myself.
“What’s a MILF?” Jay asks, wheels turning in his brain.
Everyone freezes mid-decorating, each of us glancing around at each other. Jay’s brows are narrowed in confusion.
“Mom in Lumpy Form,” Josie responds, each word spoken slowly, like she’s coming up with them on the spot. Jay’s face scrunches, and it’s obvious he’s unsure whether to believe her. But then he shrugs and turns back to decorating.
We fall quiet, smearing icing and placing gumdrop decorations on our houses. Every so often, from the corner of my eye, I spot Jay sliding pieces of the candy decor to Smudge who sits at his feet. Murmurings can be heard from Josie and Jay, plotting out their house.