Chapter 20
MICAH
The shit with Jonah and Sienna was funny before because that man couldn’t keep the attention of a porch cat with a bowl of tuna.
It had been a few weeks since I’d seen Sienna with him throughout town. I had thought my words may have gotten to her, or he did bore the shit out of her.
However, now I have to beat the crap out of the mayor.
Thaddeus Delacroix.
Tad.
And he hates that shit.
But when you go to school with everyone around here, you don’t run away from nicknames. And you sure as hell aren’t able to run away from your girl crush who’s living her best life when you’re in the middle of living your worst.
Don’t get me wrong, I want Sienna to be happy.
With me.
Because I’m in the middle of Laura not stopping her suit with getting Heath, and for the life of me, I can’t begin to understand her angle besides trying to get child support from me or being a complete twat.
She hasn’t broken up with Paul yet, and I’d love nothing more than to do it for her; however, if she has less to do then I believe she’ll amp her game up on trying to steal my kid.
We’ve already had two court cases, my lawyer steamrolled hers, and we’re supposed to have another one next week. Her defense is that I’m too girl crazy to be a competent parent to my son and that I was emotionally abusive towards her.
No receipts, no evidence, just years of her being MIA.
I’ve been on edge for months because she keeps playing this game about giving it up, but then coming back ten minutes later and saying she can’t.
I’d blocked her number in the earlier stages, and it turned into long emails instead.
“Petitioner is concerned the Respondent is prioritizing a romantic relationship with the child’s teacher over the child’s emotional needs. The child’s school environment must remain professional and free from conflicts of interest.”
This is why I stepped away from Sienna.
One word from Laura’s mouth to anyone at Magnolia Elementary, and she’d be the talk of the town, her job would be at risk, and it’d give Laura more ammo.
I unblocked Laura a few days later to keep her focus on me and me only.
Harassment isn’t the word for it.
It’s annoyance, betrayal, a time period I don’t want to keep reliving with a woman who didn’t care about my emotional well-being or our son’s, and it’s torture to have to give Sienna up and watch her stroll around town with a new man.
A man named Tad.
Light blue suit, a smile that is as fake as my being okay, while his hand is currently touching Sienna’s lower back.
Tad is such a load of bullshit.
I have no clue what Sienna sees in him, but she’s laughing, and I’m ready to break the shit up.
Especially today.
Because it’s Valentine’s Day and they’re going to the town’s Sweetheart Ball.
Yeah, cute, right?
“You look nice.” I don’t bother glancing over at the sound of the woman’s voice to my side because I’m not done watching Sienna disappear into the town’s event hall yet with Tad. “You’re staring.”
I am.
At a beautiful brunette in a light yellow dress that looks country enough to be labelled as a good girl.
But, get her in the back of a pickup truck, and she’ll have you chasing her around town like she’s the last beer made.
“No shit.”
“It’s creepy.”
“No one’s paying attention.”
“I just mentioned it.”
With a glare, I glance over at Zoe, one of my really good friends who may know a little about Sienna.
Okay, she knows all about Sienna.
I needed a woman’s perspective, desperate times call for desperate measures, and I got everything I needed to know and so much more.
I’m a damn idiot.
Why the hell would I do something like that?
Am I out of my damn mind?
I need to stop playing around.
You didn’t have to kick her out like that.
How are you going to get her back?
You’re a damn idiot…again.
“Do you mind?” I grind out through my tightening jaw. “I’m looking at my future wife.”
“She ain’t gonna be if Tad has anything to do with it.”
I scoff, loudly, I may add, because he doesn’t have anything on me but more suits. “She’ll be bored with Tad within the next few weeks.”
“I dunno,” she drones as I look back to where Sienna disappeared. “Tad has some swag.”
I don’t remove any of my annoyance when I look back at my friend. Zoe played her role to a tee tonight for me. I shouldn’t be giving her shit because she’s doing a solid for me and hates town events like this.
She’s introverted, smart as hell, and too good to be doing this for me.
“Swag? What, how to kiss the ass of the people to get him elected again?”
“Youngest mayor the town has ever had,” she reminds me with a sweet smile.
I roll my eyes. “He just flirts.”
“Which is how he probably got Sienna.” She smooths the front of her dress down, this pale pink number that fits her like a glove. “But don’t worry, I have some pent-up resentment issues toward Tad. I know his weaknesses and plan on displayin’ those for you tonight.”
I frown.
“This doesn’t have anything to do with—” She gives me a curt nod, and I shut up about the rest.
Zoe had this thing kinda going on with a buddy of mine—more like a family rivalry—and I don’t know how the two of them manage to stay out of each other’s way, but they do.
And she does not talk about it.
He doesn’t either.
It got messy, but I’m not getting into that tonight. I already have enough shit on my plate.
“I’m guessing that’s why you signed up,” I tack on.
“Well, it wasn’t to go to another Sweetheart Ball.” She gives me an annoyed look. “This town has nothing else better to do.”
“I told you to leave.”
“Tried. Failed.”
“You can still go. You’d love—”
“And go where? Some big city where people are more annoyin’?”
“I dunno about all that.”
“How would you know?”
“You staying with your grandparents for a weekend doesn’t constitute as you knowing big-city life.”
“Says the guy who’s never been in one.”
“Overrated.”
“And so are you, but hey, I’m over here tryin’ to help you get your girl back when you haven’t gotten rid of your old one.”
My stomach knots a bit. “You’re a dick, and that was a low blow.”
“Should’ve tested Sienna out to see if she could handle it.”
“She’s not allowed to date a parent of a student.”
“Principal Simpson would’ve had no evidence.”
“Laura would’ve blasted it, and Sienna would’ve been the talk of the town. Like I said before.”
Zoe inhales and exhales, bowing her head in understanding because she knows.
She knows this town is fed on gossip and the downfall of others. Those stories last longer than good ones. They get brought up years later in reminiscences to compare against others.
Sienna won’t be collateral damage to my past.
Nonetheless, I’m having a hard time allowing her a future without me in it.
“So, what’s the plan and point of tonight?” Zoe asks. “All I got in your text was Tad, Sweetheart Ball, Sienna, need a date.”
No clue.
Nothing changes the reality of my situation.
However, I just can’t stand idly by and give her away to someone else.
Someone else like Tad.
“I’m open to suggestions,” I reply honestly. “We were keeping our relationship a secret, but Laura scared the shit out of me.”
“I think you blew your chance.”
Great.
“You want to tell me that while we’re dressed up and standing outside the town hall like a bunch of assholes?”
Zoe shrugs. “I’d pick you over Tad.”
“Well, there’s that.”
“And when’s your court date with the ex?”
“Next week.”
“Last one?”
“I hope so.”
“So, we’re livin’ on a prayer.”
“Exactly.”
“My favorite kind.” She slaps the back of my shoulder—hard, and slips her arm into mine. “Get me in Tad’s view. That’ll mess his night up.”
I nod, but curiosity sucks me in like everyone else in this town. “He really messed things up that bad for you?”
“Depends on your definition of messing things up. You know the story. Two families going at it. Tad’s family started it. Now, we’ve practically split the town and don’t step on the other’s side.”
“Your family hasn’t gone after the Hales in years. He still can’t be mad about—”
“He is.”
I frown. “Are you serious? I can talk—”
She scoffs. “Save your breath. I’d want Tucker Hale back like I’d want a trainin’ bra.”
Okay…
“And Tad?”
Zoe sighs and gives me an exasperated look. “Is this story time? I thought we were doin’ you stuff tonight.”
“Do I want to know?”
“No.”
“Why?”
Zoe takes the lead, guiding us across the town square to the hall. “Because you don’t want Sienna to see you violent tonight.”