35. Hayden
THIRTY-FIVE
Bree’s kids are adorable mini versions of her—smart, witty, and as sweet as those damn brownies I’m addicted to. When they walked into the coffeehouse and nearly caught us fucking their mom on the kitchen counter, I thought for sure Bree was going to freak out. Instead, she shocked the hell out of me—and based on Brody’s facial expression, him as well—when she admitted to her kids that she’s found love, and Brody and I are her boyfriends. And then again when she agreed to all of us going out to dinner.
“Can we get pineapple?” Evie asks her mom when we walk into a pizzeria down the street from where they live. We’re planning to get a couple of pies and take them over to the park across the street so we can hang out and get to know the kids a little.
“Ugh, not you too,” Brody groans.
“What?” Evie asks, her hand going to her hip like she’s eight going on eighteen. “You talking about my pineapple?”
Brody barks out a laugh. “Yes, my stepmom loves pineapple. Pineapple does not belong on pizza, ever.” He draws out the last word in exaggeration.
“Thank you!” Miles says, throwing his hands up in the air. “Finally, someone on my side. Mom and Evie always want pineapple. It’s so gross.” He fake gags. “Pizza should have sausage and pepperoni, not fruit!”
“Hey,” Bree says. “Don’t mess with our pineapple.”
“You ladies can get that girly sh—stuff,” Brody says, quickly catching himself. “Us, men, will get the manly pizza.”
Bree snorts out a laugh. “Okay, men, enjoy your manly pizza.”
“Yeah, and there’s three of you, so you get less.” Evie sticks her tongue out at her brother and twirls around with an attitude I didn’t know an adorable little girl could possess.
Brody glances at me and silently laughs.
I pull out my phone and send him a text:
I have a feeling that things will be a whole lot less boring with these kids around.
Brody checks his phone and grins, then texts me back:
I love it. Now, we just have to make Bree smile and laugh so they actually like us.
Me
Truth
Brody
Worst-case scenario, we buy them a puppy.
I crack up laughing and pocket my phone, not bothering to respond. I honestly wouldn’t put it past Brody to buy them a damn puppy.
After we get the food and drinks, we take them over to the park and find a bench to eat on.
“Mom, this is the park for our birthday, right?” Miles asks.
“It is,” she tells him. “I booked the pavilion over there.” She points in the direction of a small pavilion.
“Did you get the bounce house?” Miles asks.
“And the balloon person?” Evie adds. “Oh! And the face-painting person?”
“That’s for girls,” Miles says, his nose scrunching up in disgust. “Mom, can we get an obstacle course bounce house and get it with water? And also, Shane said for his birthday his dad is getting him a big blow-up movie screen to watch a movie on when it’s dark. Can we get one for our birthday?”
“Yeah!” Evie squeals. “That would be so cool. And can we get stuff to paint pictures with?”
As Bree’s eyes bounce from one kid to the other with a look of horror etched in her features, something tells me she didn’t book any of that nor was she planning to.
“Umm,” she says after several moments. “I booked that pavilion,” she says slowly, pointing at it again. “And I thought we would grill some burgers and hot dogs, and you guys can play with your friends. We could, um, maybe…” She swallows thickly. “Why don’t we talk about this later, once we’re home? Right now, let’s eat, and afterward, if you want, you can go play on the playground.”
“But don’t we have to book it now?” Miles asks. “The party is in a few days.”
Bree glances at Brody and me and winces. I’m not sure what’s going on, but it’s obvious she doesn’t want to discuss this with Brody and me around. Could it be because she didn’t invite us? Is she worried we’re going to ask to go? I make a mental note to remind her later that the ball is in her court. Brody and I would never do anything she isn’t comfortable with.
“Miles,” she says softly yet firmly. “We’ll talk about this at home.”
Both kids’ shoulders slump, and I expect them to argue, but instead, they both nod and take their pizza.
The mood is now a bit somber, the kids quietly eating while Bree appears to be lost in her own head. Not wanting the evening to be ruined, I try to make small talk with the kids, but neither one is really interested in conversing. Don’t get me wrong—they’re both polite and answer, but their earlier excitement has dissipated.
When Bree asks the kids if they want to go play, they both run to the playground and straight over to the swings.
Bree, Brody, and I follow, sitting on the bench in front of them. Since she seems down, I take her hand in mine and kiss her knuckles. “You know we’re taking this at your pace, right?”
She glances at me in confusion.
“You seemed uncomfortable discussing the party in front of us. I just don’t want you to think we expect to be invited. Would we love to go? For sure. But we know you need to take things slow, and you telling them about us and that we’re your boyfriends means a lot.”
“Yeah, it does,” Brody agrees, taking her other hand in his. “You’re calling the shots.”
Bree smiles at me, but it’s strained. “You’re welcome to come to the party, but honestly, you’ll probably be bored. We’re just grilling and doing cake. I had no idea the kids wanted to do all that stuff.” She looks at them, a frown marring her face. “They’re going to be disappointed, but that’s part of parenting. Some days, I’m the best mom ever, and others… not so much.”
“You might not be able to book all that at the last minute, but you could probably book some of it,” I point out. “I can help you make some calls and see who has availability.”
Before Bree can respond, Evie yells, “Mom, come watch me on the monkey bars!” as she flies off the swing and runs toward the jungle gym equipment.
Brody and I both pull out our phones at the same time.
“What are you doing?” I ask.
“Probably the same thing as you.” He laughs. “Finding places available for the party.”
I glance at our group chat, seriously proud of Brody and me. Between the two of us, we managed to find a bounce house with water that has an obstacle course, a clown who does balloon animals, a princess who does face painting, and a company who rents blow-up screens—all of which are available for Sunday.
“Why hasn’t she replied yet?” Brody asks from next to me. It’s been almost an hour since we shared with her all the links, thinking she would call us her heroes since she seemed to think she wouldn’t be able to pull it all off.
“Maybe she’s busy.”
“Yeah, maybe, but she always responds somewhat quickly.”
That’s true. She does.
We both get back to work since we have a shit ton of stuff to do for a meeting next week with a potential new business venture.
Hours go by, and when my phone goes off, I see Bree’s responded, but her response is definitely not what I was expecting:
Thanks.
“What the hell is going on with her?” Brody asks, barging into my office. “Bree doesn’t do one-word answers. Did we do something wrong?” He plops down on my couch and glares at his phone.
“She said thanks. It’s hardly a fighting word.”
He types out something on his phone, then my phone goes off with a message.
Brody
Which ones are you going to book? I like the obstacle course, especially if it means I’ll get to see you in a bathing suit again. ;)
A few seconds later, Bree texts back:
I think it would be best if I do the kids’ party with just them. You guys coming might be too much too soon.
“What the fuck?” I drop my phone on the desk, confused as hell. “What’s going on with her?”
“I don’t know. Maybe she doesn’t want us getting involved.”
Brody
We didn’t mean to overstep… Just wanted to help. If you feel it’s best that we don’t go, we understand.
We both stare at our phones, waiting for her to respond, but it becomes clear after several minutes that she’s not going to.
“I’m going to see her,” Brody says, standing. “Something is going on, and I’m not going to let her hide behind her damn phone. You coming?”
“Of course.”
I shut down my computer, and then we head out. Heart’s is closed when we get there, but we can see the kids running around and laughing.
I knock, and when they see us, they smile and wave, and Miles yells for their mom, who steps out from the kitchen and doesn’t look nearly as happy to see us as her kids.
“Something’s wrong,” Brody says under his breath as Bree unlocks and opens the door.
“Hey, I wasn’t expecting you,” she says, letting us in.
“We thought we’d surprise you,” I say. “Thought we could do something this afternoon.”
“Oh! Can we go to the arcade?” Miles asks. “Shane went with his mom and said it’s so cool.”
“Not today,” Bree says, and her tone brooks no argument. “I need to finish baking for tomorrow.”
Miles groans. “It’s so boring here.”
“Why don’t you go play on your iPad?” Bree suggests, sounding like she’s ten seconds away from losing her shit.
Miles perks up. “Really?”
“I thought Miles already used all his time?” Evie asks.
“Mind your own business!” Miles snaps, grabbing his iPad and handing it to his mom.
She types something and hands it back to him. “I gave you one hour.”
“Thanks!” He runs to a table and sets up his iPad.
“Hey!” Brody laughs. “That table is device free!”
“That’s only for the customers, silly,” Evie says with a laugh. “Mommy lets us use our iPads, so Miles doesn’t whine like a baby.”
“I’m not a baby,” Miles grumbles.
“Yes, you are,” Evie taunts.
“Am not!”
“Okay, okay,” Bree says, breaking up the argument. “Evie, please leave Miles alone.”
“But I’m so bored.” She pouts. “I wanna play Monopoly, and he won’t play with me.”
“Because it’s boring with only you,” Miles says. “I always win anyway.”
“Nuh-uh,” Evie argues.
“Yes-huh!” Miles yells back.
“Enough!” Bree snaps. “As soon as I’m done, I’ll play with you. But if you keep fighting, I won’t ever get done.”
“I’ll play with you,” Brody offers.
“Me too,” I add.
“Really?” Evie exclaims.
“You don’t have to do that,” Bree says, sounding utterly exhausted.
“We want to,” Brody tells her. “You go bake, and we’ll play Monopoly with Evie. Just don’t get mad when I buy Park Place and you go broke paying me rent.” Brody winks, and Evie looks at him like he’s grown two heads.
“That’s the adult version,” Bree explains. “This is the SpongeBob version. You want to buy The Crusty Crab and SpongeBob’s Pineapple house.” She glances back and forth between us. “Are you sure you’re okay hanging out with the kids?”
“We’re all good,” I tell her. “Go bake. We’ll be here when you’re done. And if you want to thank us, feel free to pay us with brownies and cupcakes.” I shoot her a playful wink, but she doesn’t take the bait, the frown on her face still going strong.
“Okay, well, if you need to go or if they’re acting up, just let me know.” And with that, she disappears into the kitchen.
“You sure you don’t want to play?” I ask Miles when I catch him eyeing us.
“I guess I could play one game.” He shrugs, walking over and joining us at the table.
We pick out our pieces, and Evie hands out the money, and then we start playing with her going first since she’s the youngest—by four minutes.
“You guys excited about your party?” Brody asks, making conversation—and being nosy since Bree won’t talk to us—as Evie rolls the dice and then moves five spaces.
“I’ll buy it,” she says, depositing the right amount of money into the makeshift bank. “I’m excited to see my friends.” She glances at Miles as Brody hands her the card.
“Me too,” Miles agrees, rolling the die. “And the cake. Grammy got me a Minecraft cake.”
“I got an American Girl cake,” Evie says with a smile. “And she got me pink glitter for the table.”
Miles scrunches up his nose. “Just make sure you keep it on your side of the table.”
Evie rolls her eyes, and Miles moves several spaces.
“I’ll buy it,” he says, handing Evie the money.
“So, uh, did your mom ever decide if she was doing the balloon guy or anything?” I ask, trying to dig a little deeper. Are Brody and I playing dirty? Yeah, but you have to use what you got, and we’re not above getting some info out of the kids. I’m not sure what we’re looking for at this point, but I think we’re both hoping the kids will say something that will clue us into why we were invited to the party one minute and not the next.
Evie frowns. “No. Mommy said no one can do it.”
Brody and I share a glance. We checked, and there are definitely people available.
“There’s no movie screen either,” Miles adds as Brody rolls the die. “Or bounce houses.”
“I’ll buy it,” Brody tells Evie, handing her the money for the place he landed on. “You owe me two dollars back.”
“Mommy got us two pi?atas and let us pick out the candy yesterday,” Evie says, giving him change. “And after we move to our new house, she said we can have a sleepover with our friends.”
This doesn’t make any sense. We sent her all the info. Everything the kids are saying isn’t available is. So why the hell would she lie?
I roll the die, trying to figure out what’s going on. Brody pulls out his phone, and a second later, a text comes in.
Brody
You thinking what I’m thinking?
I move four places, buy it, then text Brody back:
I don’t know what the hell I’m thinking. What are you thinking?
Brody
She told the kids none of it’s available, she told us not to go to the party, and they’re moving into a new house soon. She doesn’t have the money and is embarrassed to tell us. She’s probably trying to save up to rent somewhere else because that asshole is evicting everyone, and wherever she moves will be more than where she lives now.
Fuck, I feel so stupid. I didn’t put that together because my mom would throw us the biggest parties every year to show off. We lived in an expensive home. When we wanted something, we got it. My parents sucked at the emotions, but in its place was materialistic possessions because my family has never lacked for money. Even if I quit working tomorrow, the trust fund I was given when I graduated from college from my grandparents meant I was set for life.
Bree never discusses money. I knew she had to find a new place to live by the end of the year, but I didn’t know she was struggling. Then again, how would I know? I’ve never asked about her money situation, and she’s never brought it up. I guess I assumed she was doing okay since she turned down Benitez when he tried to buy her out of her contract.
The thought has me cringing because once again, I’m an idiot. I’ve never owned anything sentimental before. Everything I buy is strictly business. I buy properties and sell them. But this coffeehouse isn’t just a business to her—it’s her heart. That’s why she took Brody’s advice to try to distribute her products, so she can make more profit. She’s been busting her ass, baking every damn day for several hours a day so she can simply survive.
Me
We’re going to handle the party, right?
Brody
I don’t know…She might get upset that we overstepped.
“Yes!” Evie squeals. “You landed on my Crusty Crab,” she says to her brother. “You owe me fifty dollars.” Her smile spreads across her face and twin dimples pop out—identical to her mom’s.
“Hey, Miles,” she says when he grudgingly hands her the money. “Wouldn’t it be cool if this money was real? We could buy Mommy a new house, and she’d be so happy.”
That does it… I type out a text to Brody:
We’re giving these kids a party to remember, and then we’re going to work on convincing Bree to move in with us.
Some might assume my wanting her to move in with us is because of her money situation, but the truth is, I miss the hell out of her since the kids got home and she stopped spending the night. If we can solve her financial problems and have her and the kids under our roof, why wouldn’t I be all for it? Bree is ours forever—and that means spending our lives together under one roof. The sooner that happens, the better.