38. Chapter 38
Chapter 38
As David and Jacob approached Ashley’s apartment the next day, the little boy’s footsteps slowed, forcing David to slow down as well. When they reached the door, Jacob squeezed David’s hand, almost tugging on it.
“I want to go home,” Jacob whispered.
Kneeling down so he was at eye level with his son, David’s heart clenched at the unhappy expression on Jacob’s face. “I know, but we’ve talked about this.” David kept his own expression gentle and encouraging, even though it was extremely difficult; he’d thought by now Jacob would’ve gotten used to his visits with Ashley, possibly even come to enjoy them a little bit, but that hadn’t happened. David could only assume, since Jacob wasn’t enjoying them, it was unlikely Ashley was, either, especially since she’d backed out of her Wednesday visitations.
“It’s only for two days,” David added, as if that was any solace to a child, when two days could seem like two years. Then, forcing himself to his feet, David knocked on Ashley’s door. It was opened fairly quickly and when David saw her, he gave her a forced smile.
Ashley patted the top of Jacob’s crewcut, which garnered zero response and in the ensuing awkward moment, David handed Jacob his backpack and told him, “Why don’t you take this to your room and unpack your stuff? I need to talk to your mom for a few minutes.”
With a listless nod, Jacob started down the short hallway, shuffling his feet, the flashing lights in the heels of his Scooby-Doo shoes accompanying each step. He looked like he was going to the gallows.
“What did you need to talk to me about?” Ashley asked, brushing her dark hair back over one shoulder.
He decided to get right to the point. “Paige and I are seeing one another.”
It took Ashley a moment to digest what he was saying, and when she did, her eyes narrowed and her face twisted with anger. “Paige?” she hissed. “As in your ex-wife, Paige?”
“Yes.”
“Are you fucking kidding me?” Ashley folded her arms under her breasts, her expression sour. “How long has that been going on?”
“Not long.”
“Bullshit. How long?”
He gave her a controlled, neutral look, then said, “Anyway, I thought you should know, since she’ll be meeting Jacob soon,” he informed her, leaving out the part that it was going to happen on Thanksgiving day. He and Ashley had agreed the best plan for the holiday would be for Jacob to spend it with David and then go to Ashley’s for his regular weekend visit the next day, and David didn’t want her to jeopardize that. Knowing Ashley, she would try and renege on the arrangement just to fuck with his plans.
“Well, thanks for the heads-up,” she said sarcastically. “I really fucking appreciate it.”