Chapter 26
TWENTY-SIX
Sophia
“How’s that fuck stain of a baby daddy been lately?
“Fuuuck,” Aria repeats.
That’s just great. I really have to watch what gets said around her these days, she’s like a little parrot. I ignore it, I figure if I don’t tell her it’s a bad word, then she’s less likely to try and use it like one.
“If she starts using the ‘f word’ at kindergarten, I’m blaming all of you,” I warn him. “You’ll be coming to the meeting with her teachers.”
Uncle Cole smirks and swings her around in another circle while she giggles gleefully. “More!” she cries when he tries to set her down.
We’re visiting my parents place, and Uncle Cole turned up about half an hour ago with a few beers and a bag of chips. Apparently there’s a rugby game on soon.
“He’s actually been pretty good. I don’t know why he’s behaving all of a sudden, but he’s on time to see Aria, he doesn’t say anything he shouldn’t to me, and he even dropped off some nappies and stuff the other day without me asking.”
“Maybe he’s finally grown up.”
Aria runs off out of the room, jabbering away about finding something to show Cole.
I’m not so sure about that. Josh doesn’t seem like the type to really grow up, but he’s shown up to all his supervised visits this past month, and Aria is always excited to see him, so I can’t really complain too much.
Something seems a bit off with him, though, and it unnerves me.
He hasn’t given me any reason recently to feel that way, so I’m trying my best to just brush it off. I’ve got a lot of years ahead of me with Josh, and parenting Aria, so maybe this really is a step in the right direction.
God knows we’ve had enough steps backwards, it must be time for one forward.
“I sure hope so.”
“He get her some stuff for her birthday?”
I nod. “Yeah, he asked me for some ideas, and he actually got most of it, which I was surprised about. He took her out to the park with the court appointed chaperone, and gave her the gifts he’d got.”
“Sounds like things are starting to look up.”
Bryson must think the same way, to a certain extent anyway, while he still doesn’t love the idea of being away all day, he’s stopped calling into work, and just does his best to get home as soon as possible.
I’m okay being home alone again. Things feel like they’re normal. It’s nice. Aria is loving going places again, and I don’t feel like I have so much of a weight on my shoulders.
It feels too good to last.
“I hope so, but it was such a quick change from the crazy shit he was doing, to being all chill. I feel kind of worried it’s going to go back.”
I can’t help but wonder if Bryson did something to make Joshua behave, but I don’t want to ask. I think sometimes it’s better if I don’t know everything that goes on.
“No point worrying about it, just enjoy it while it lasts.”
“I wish I’d inherited your ability to relax. Instead I got my father’s worrying skills.”
He chuckles. Doesn’t argue. No point when we both know it’s true.
“Have you talked to B this week?” he asks, and I’m grateful for the subject change. Josh takes up enough of my thoughts, he doesn’t need to be part of all of my conversations too .
I shake my head. “I haven’t quite figured out the time zones and stuff still. We message, but I haven’t got her on the phone in a while. I need to make it happen. Aria keeps asking for her.”
“I talked to her last night, they’re pretty much all settled in. I think I’ll go over and see them in a month or two. She thinks she’s half fluent in Japanese already, but I think all she really knows how to do is ask for a menu.”
I snort out a laugh. “I’ll hide in your suitcase. I miss her.”
It’s weird, I’ve spent far longer than this away from her when she was down south, but knowing she’s on the other side of the world makes it slap different.
“I miss her too. She’s been fucking hard work over the years, but she’s a good kid. It’s been weird without her these past few years. It’s always just been me and her.”
“At least she didn’t have a kid as a teenager, you should count yourself lucky.”
“I’m in no position to judge,” he replies, sheepish.
This is very true. Uncle Cole was no exception to this town’s baby-making bullshit.
“I know she misses you too. She always asks me to check up on you.”
He rolls his eyes. “She just wants to know who I’m dating.”
I raise a brow at him. “So who are you dating? ”
He chuckles. “You’re starting to sound like her.”
“She told me to call you an old man. And not to let you change the subject.”
“I bet she did.”
“She said, and I quote ‘find out if he’s still dating that bimbo with the inflatable tits’.”
He busts out laughing. “I’m pleased to hear she’s finally learnt the art of tact.”
“You’re avoiding the question, Uncle Cole,” I tease.
Aria comes back through the door, running faster than I’ve seen her little legs carry her. She skids to a stop in front of Uncle Cole, panting. She’s got the leg of a Barbie doll in her hand.
“Uwncle Cole, see dis.” She holds it up in both of her palms, like it’s some kind of sacred offering and not the broken leg of a plastic doll.
“Oh my gosh, chicken, what is it?”
“Ari’s doll leg.”
He admires it as though it’s made of gold.
“You still haven’t given me an answer,” I remind him.
He smirks up at me from where he’s now crouched down, fawning over my strange child.
“I’m sorry, Sophia, I’m a little preoccupied right now admiring this incredible item that Aria has returned with.”
Smartass.
“Suit yourself. I’m going to tell B that you’re not only still dating Tits McGee, but you’re moving her into your house.”
“Tits Mcgwee!” Aria mimics.
I slap my hand over my mouth. I guess that one’s on me.
What are the motherfucking chances?
This prick must just about live in this airport. I’ve only been here three times this year, and I’ve now run into him twice. The only time I managed to avoid him was when we said our goodbyes to Cullen and Berlin, and he could have been floating around that time too, I would have been too much of a blubbering mess to notice.
I can’t even avoid him, he’s coming straight towards me, and I’ve got nowhere to go other than directly into his path, or to turn and run the other way.
I hold my head high. Screw it, I’ve been polite once, I can do it again.
He looks at me, and my heart rate spikes in excitement as he looks past me, then drops into my stomach as his gaze flickers back and a smile graces his face.
He’s a very handsome man. It’s not hard to see why Bryson is as sexy as he is, the genes are clearly good ones – cosmetically at least .
“It’s Sophia, isn’t it?” he says when he reaches me.
“Yes, Mr. Decker.”
“Call me Michael, no need to be so formal.”
The only thing I’d prefer more than keeping it formal, would be not doing it at all.
I think I’d get more enjoyment out of licking the sole of my shoe, than I would attempting to be friendly with this man who I barely know, but hate with a passion.
“Are you here with Bryson?” He glances behind me.
“Not today, I was dropping off my dad. He has to go away for work for a few days.”
“I’m just getting back from a work trip myself.”
I wonder how I could respectfully tell him that I don’t give a flying fuck.
I decide a nod of my head is the best I can do.
“Well, it was nice to see you again. Michael ,” I say through gritted teeth as I turn to make an escape.
“My son should bring you over to the house for a meal,” he says, trying to delay the end of this torture. “You and your daughter. We could all get to know each other better.”
He can’t be serious.
I slowly turn back towards him. He’s still standing there, in his stupid fancy suit, with his ridiculous expensive suitcase that probably cost more than most of the people around here make in a month.
“I’ll mention it to him.”
“Maybe he’ll be interested if it comes from you. I haven’t been able to get through to that kid in years.” He sighs.
Fuck, this guy is testing my patience. He’s acting as though he’s some terrific father with an ungrateful, bratty teenager on his hands.
I give him a tight smile, and once again, turn to leave. I’m going to lose my mind if I stand here much longer.
“Family is so important,” I hear him say when I’m a couple of steps away. “Bryson doesn’t seem to remember that.”
I squeeze my eyes shut for a second, and try to stop myself from going off the way I know I’m about to.
I know I shouldn’t do it, but it’s too late, I’m too far gone. He’s had a dig at the man that I love, the one who has done everything in his power to care for me and protect me, and my daughter. The one who knows exactly how important family is, but unfortunately wasn’t blessed with one worth having.
He’s had the audacity to insult the man who I consider to be one of the most important parts of my family.
I spin on my heel and stalk back towards him, covering the few short steps quickly .
“Are you fucking for real?” I demand.
His eyes widen in surprise.
“You’re seriously going to stand here and act like you give a fuck about Bryson after you’ve treated him the way you have?”
He opens his mouth to question me, but I don’t stop long enough to hear a single word.
“You’re a worthless, narcissistic, piece of shit, and you’re the most pathetic excuse for a father I could possibly imagine. Don’t you dare say he doesn’t care about family.”
“What did you say to me?” he snaps, his face reddening.
“You heard me. You hurt your child. You have no idea the importance of family. Bryson is a hundred times the father you’ll ever be, and he hasn’t even had a child of his own yet. You can take your dinner invitation and shove it right up your ass. You can stay the fuck away from him, me and my daughter. None of us want anything to do with you, and one day, everyone is going to know that you’re nothing more than a violent, weak little man.”
“Ungrateful little bitch,” he sneers at me, his fake nice facade slipping.
I laugh in his face. I don’t know where I found the set of ginormous balls I’m currently rocking, but I’ll take it. I don’t give a fuck. It’s not like this man can hurt me. Not right here, right now, anyway. Bryson would never let him get anywhere near me. He’s no danger to me. I push past him and head off in the direction of the carpark.
“You have a nice fucking day, Micheal ,” I call over my shoulder at him.
Guess I’m not going to be praised as a wonderful daughter-in-law anytime soon.
I can’t wait to call Bryson and tell him.