Chapter 2 #4
“Good, they need to hear the way he speaks to you, and they also need to hear you fighting their corner. They’re not babies; DJ's a man, and Gabby’s gonna be heading to college soon.
They don’t need you coddling them; they need to hear the truth so they can make informed decisions.
He’s a grown-assed man who should be taking responsibility for the shit he does, baby.
You don’t need to shield him, and you don’t need to shield them.
” He jerked his chin toward the truck. “You think they don’t know he’s being a dick?
Jesus, Ro, they can see it plain and clear. ”
Donovan’s words burrowed deep, and it hit me that he was absolutely right.
I’d protected their dad since the day we split because I didn’t want the kids growing up without him.
Maybe it was because I lost my dad young, and I knew what it was like to grow up without that security net.
I’d protected Evan at every turn, but now the gloves were off.
The instant his girlfriend said that filth to Gabby and he defended her, the game changed.
Donny was right; Evan had to start taking responsibility for his bullshit. I wasn’t going to cover for him anymore. The kids were older now, and at least we could deal with him as a family, talk about it, and move on.
I clicked on his cell phone number, put the phone on speaker, and waited.
The call clicked in, and Evan's voice cut out, “I hope you’re calling to apologize.”
“No, I’m not. I’m calling to let you know that all visits to Idaho are cancelled until further notice. The kids don’t want to see you right now, and they definitely don’t want to see your bitch of a girlfriend, especially after she had the fucking nerve to call Gabrielle a lazy fat bitch.”
A brief silence fell over the line, then Evan muttered, “Rachel wouldn’t do that.”
“Our children aren’t liars,” I retorted.
“And honestly, Evan, that attitude is exactly why I’m not gonna push the kids to come visit.
If you’d have replied differently, this convo would have played out in a way where we could’ve worked together to get the kids back on track with you, but I’m not sending my daughter away to be abused by some mean, insecure hag who needs to grow the fuck up.
You can call the kids to discuss it— whether they pick up or not is up to them—but don’t expect me to intervene.
You lost my support the second you put your girlfriend above them. ”
“You can’t keep me away from them,” he protested. “I’ll sic my lawyer on you.”
“You do that,” I challenged, “and I’ll sic my lawyer on you and your girlfriend.”
He snorted. “You can’t afford one.”
“I don’t need to afford one, honey; I’ve got a tribe at my back. And even if I didn’t, I’d scrub toilets and work a pole just to pay for it. There’s nothing I wouldn’t do for DJ and Gabby.”
“Rosie—” he began, but I cut him off.
“I’ve got nothing else to say, Evan. I don’t know when your God complex grew bigger than your dick, but those kids don’t owe you shit. You’re the parent in this scenario, and you’re allowing some jumped-up twat to harm your daughter. It doesn’t say much for you, does it?”
“There she is,” he said quietly. “The real Rosie. You can’t help yourself, can you? Bet your new boyfriend hasn’t seen this version yet. He’ll run for the hills soon enough, just like I did.”
Donovan shook his head, his mouth twisting.
Five years ago, Evan’s words would have cut me deep, but that ship had well and truly sailed. If he wanted to see a bitch, I’d be happy to oblige.
“You’ve never seen me in real bitch mode on account of me excusing and even defending your rat bastard behavior at every turn, but continue down this path and you will.
I don’t care what you say to me; your opinion doesn’t factor into my life.
I’ve always tried to keep things between us civil, even though you treated me like shit, because I always thought our kids needed their dad.
What they don’t need, though, is his witch of a girlfriend giving them shit.
If you want to see DJ and Gabby, call them and arrange it.
If they’re amenable, you can come to Wyoming alone.
If they’re not, then frankly, you can go fuck yourself.
” With that parting shot, I clicked to end the call, tipped my head back, and let the air out of my lungs.
Donovan’s hand landed on my shoulder. “You did good.”
I lowered my chin until our eyes met. “I’ve started a war.”
His grin flashed, and his dimple came out. “He doesn’t stand a fucking chance.”
“I need to talk to Kennedy,” I declared.
Donovan’s hand took mine, and he started to lead me toward his truck. “Right, let’s get the kids back to the party so you can do just that.”
I squeezed his fingers. “You must think we’re crazy.”
“No more than my family, baby. That scene earlier in the bathroom when Mam heard me talking to you, well, that’s a normal Wednesday for me.
I’ve got an interfering mother, a self-important big brother, and a younger brother with a death wish.
We own a bar, a gym, and have ties to the Irish Mob.
Plus, we’re close with your family, who just happen to be part of a local MC.
You’ll fit right in. In fact, Mam’s probably looking into adult adoption ‘cause she’ll want you and the kids all for herself. ”
I laughed. “She can have me. I’ll sign the papers. My mom left me to go on a cruise.”
His lips curved, and his arm slid around my neck, pulling me close. “Poor baby,” he crooned, kissing the top of my head.
I chuckled and looked up, then I froze when I saw DJ watching out of the truck window.
“Let’s try not to traumatize my kids any more today, huh, O’Shea?
They’re not used to seeing their mom cozying up to men, and as much as I know they want me to be happy, it may be better to handle that side of things with a bit of care. ”
Donovan released me. “Looks like I’ll have to have a man-to-man talk with DJ and convince him my intentions toward his mom are honorable.”
My head twisted toward him, and quietly, I asked, “And are they? Honorable, I mean?”
“Not in the slightest, Posy,” he admitted.
“But as much as I wanna get in your panties, I know it wouldn’t be enough.
I’ve seen a side of you tonight that I like a whole damned lot.
I love the way you are with your kids, and I think we have a connection we should explore.
” We stopped at the truck, and he turned me to face him. “Let me take you to dinner.”
I looked up and stared into his incredible bright blue eyes, trying to see deeper into the man behind them.
There was no doubt I was attracted to Donovan, probably even more than I was three years before. I’d seen a side of him that I liked a whole damned lot, too. He ran deeper than I ever realized, and I recognized it because DJ was the same way. But mainly, he’d had my back, and it was nice.
“Are you gonna treat me right, O’Shea?” I demanded gently. “I know it’s just one date, but if things progress, I don’t want the bullshit fuckboy; I want the real you because I’ve got a feeling this Donovan standing before me is worth the risk.”
His eyes went soft and liquid-like at my words. “I’ve never done this before. I dunno how good I’m gonna be at it, but I know for damned sure that you’re one of the very few women I’ve met who makes me wanna try.”
God only knew what had gotten into me, but I could feel myself metaphorically jumping out of a high-assed plane and free-falling toward the ground. Still, I took the leap and prayed to God that I wouldn’t hit the earth with a big ol’ splat while voicing my reply.
“I’ll think about it.”