He spoke calmly, but I could feel his body tensing.
“I think that’s fine. Yes, you definitely should, if that’s what they want. I’ll call Aidan in the morning and let him know about this.”
He listened a while longer, nodding to himself, taking my free hand in his and squeezing. If he only knew how insensitive I’d been, dismissing his kids and worrying about myself. Shaking myself free of those thoughts, I pulled Aston a little closer to me.
“Yep, that’s good. I’ll be on my way in a few . . . No, don’t worry. You didn’t ruin anything.”
I tightened my grip on his shoulder. He was leaving, but for his kids. Not running.
“Oh,” he said. “I could, but maybe I shouldn’t. I’ll check and text you, okay? In the meantime, you get on your way.”
He listened for a beat longer and then disconnected the call.
When he turned to me, he looked pained, his brow furrowed and emotions rippling over his face. I’d never seen this side of Aston before, the emotionally wounded one. The last time his kids called, he’d grown angry and frustrated, but this was something entirely different.
With his fingers pinching the bridge of his nose, he blew out a long breath. “This isn’t going to work,” he mumbled.
I jumped away from him so quickly, I became light-headed. Bracing myself on the night table, I looked directly at Aston, resolving to be strong.
“Not us,” he said, looking ashamed. “That came out wrong. Not us. We’re going to work. I meant this thing with Cass. Trying to have her in the kids’ lives isn’t working.”
“Oh,” I said, sheepishly crawling back onto the bed.
“Come here.” He sat up and pulled me into his arms, kissing the top of my head.
“I’m sorry,” I said into his chest. “You shouldn’t have to comfort me now. Tell me what happened.”
“Cass was good at first. Had dinner with the kids, pretended like she was happy they were there, in that big house I let her keep. Whatever, it was the right thing to do. Anyway, she sent them to watch a movie and then proceeded to get rip-roaring drunk. Denise put them to bed anyway, but a little after midnight, Cass started tearing through the house, yelling at them.”
Placing a kiss on his temple, I ran my hand down the back of his hair, pulling him tight.
“Same old shit. It was their fault that I left. Kids cramp my style. I’m a playboy . . .”
A little giggle escaped me. “Shit, I’m sorry. It’s nerves.”
“No, it’s okay. She’s not wrong. I did go down a bad path when we first separated, but that’s behind me. And before you ask, I’ve been to a doctor and I’m okay health-wise.”
I hadn’t thought of it, but now that he mentioned it, it gave me pause. I’d jumped back in bed with him so easily. “It can’t be good for Mara and Little A to hear all that, though,” I said, getting back to the more urgent matter.
“No. Denise tells them otherwise, and so do I, but Cass gets twitchy with it. Anyway, they want to go home, and I told Denise to go ahead and take them. I’ll need to call my lawyer in the morning. I tried to avoid taking visits away from Cass, but it’s time. Denise has some video evidence.”
“Poor babies. I hate that they had to deal with that. I understand you want them to see their mom, but this doesn’t seem good for them. But I’m not qualified to make that decision.” I kissed along the side of his face, watching his brow smooth out.
“I know. I don’t mean you’re not qualified. You’re a mom, a good mom. Look, just an hour ago, we were discussing Piper. You were sticking up for her with every bone in your body, even when it meant taking sides with your ex.”
“She’s my daughter. That’s my job,” I said, defending myself now. “To watch out for her.”
“You don’t have to explain yourself. I admire it. I wish my other kids had that. Piper is lucky to have you. Damn lucky.”
A tear trickled down my cheek, despite my demanding the waterworks stay in.
“I tried, but Cass isn’t going to be a present mom. Nan said it, even though she was the one to introduce us. I guess I’m shit when it comes to evaluating moms. Look how I fell for my own. Her dying wishes still haunt me.”
“She was your mom. She did her best—”
“If she didn’t insist I go after heading up the family business we would have been together all these years, Bex.”
As much as it hurt me to think about it, I had to grant Aston some peace. “Shoulda, coulda, woulda. We’re here now. You need to do right by your kids. My mom did her best until she died, but you already know that.”
“I did, but right now, this . . . it just means more work for me. More to tackle. I have to get out from under these charges. I want to make this work with you. I need to protect the kids. Denise will help, but . . . this is all on me. My dad is a piece of shit. Nan is busy. My mom is gone, and Cass is helpless.”
“Look, go now. And we’ll worry about all the rest in the morning.”
“Denise said for me to stay. She knows how much this night means to us. The kids are tired, and she’s going to put them back to bed at my house.”
“Are you sure? I’m not going to be mad,” I said, and it was the truth. Worried, yes. Mad, no.
“I’m staying,” he said. “I’ll text Denise, and then let’s take a warm shower and sleep. I need this few hours of calm before I tackle the rest.”
He tapped at his phone while I rubbed
