Page 29 of Wild Mistake
Gabe ignores him, not looking back once. The slam of the trailer door accentuates his irritation.
Discomfort prickles the air. If we were still married, I’d say something to help smooth over Gabe’s rudeness. But I have no desire to ease the sting of parenthood for Jake. He shouldn’t get the boys’ hopes up if he can’t come through for them. My responsibility is to my sons, not him.
“I better hit the road,” Jake says, closing the trunk of his vehicle with a tap of a button.
“Thanks, Dad.” Parker closes the space between them and wraps his arms around his father for a hug. “I love you.”
He’s taller than Jake by a few inches. Not that size or age will ever stop this kid from giving the best hugs in the world. In a world that often values toughness when it comes to men, I hope he never loses his ability to be sweet and affectionate.
“Love you, too, bud.” Jake pats Parker on the back before stepping back. “You be good to your mom and your grandparents. Your brother too. Keep bringing in those good grades at school.”
“I will, Dad.”
Standing by Parker’s side, we watch and wave as Jake gets in his vehicle and backs out of the driveway.
“I missed you,” I say, wrapping my arm around his shoulder and giving it a squeeze. “But I’m glad you had a good time.”
“I missed you, too, Mom.”
“We should probably get you unpacked.” I reach for one of the bags at his feet.
“I got it.” He takes the bag from me and hauls the other off the ground, walking with me toward the trailer. “Just to warn you, we have laundry. A lot of it.”
“Better get to sorting.” I figured they wouldn’t do any chores voluntarily at their father’s house. Shame, though, because the washer and dryer at our old place has twice the capacity of my parents’ appliances. I should have texted them a reminder, but I didn’t want any of my texts to come off as nagging while they were away. I step ahead and open the door, holding it for Parker to pass inside before me. “Otherwise you’ll be spending your New Year’s Eve doing laundry.”
“What’s the alternative?” Gabe says, his face sour. He’s sitting on the bench of our small dining table, his phone in hand and bags gathered on the floor beside him. “Watch the ball drop with Grandma and Grandpa? Hard pass.”
I missed him. I did. But I didn’t miss his negative attitude. “Actually, we’ve been invited to a party.”
He glares. “I’m out.”
I refrain from rolling my eyes and take a breath. “Gabe.” I wait for him to lift his gaze.
“What?”
“You could at least try to be happy here. It’s just a casual get-together. It could be fun.”
“I’m not going to spend my weekend pretending I give a shit about the stupid people in this stupid town.”
“Your attitude really sucks.”
“Yeah. I know.”
I exhale a long sigh. “What about you, Parker? Will you go with me to the Wilder Ranch?”
“It’s at the Wilder Ranch?” Gabe asks, his gaze leaving his phone screen. He’s trying to play it cool, but his interest is definitely piqued.
“Yeah.”
“I’m in,” Parker says, already covering the floor with piles of dirty laundry.
Fuck.I prop the door to the trailer open for some fresh air. It’s too cold, but I’d rather be freezing than subjected to teenage body odor.
“Who’s going to be there?” Gabe asks.
“Um, Ryan Wilder is hosting, so his family and all of their friends.”Aiden.Only, I don’t add that part. I feel guilty, as if I’m somehow betraying Gabe and Parker by not telling them about Aiden and our history together. Which is ridiculous, because I didn’t even know he was back until a few days ago. Besides, the last thing my teens want is a rundown of everyone their mother dated.
“Fine. I’ll go.”
