One Last Time(59)

“Too bad. You can wait.” He’s a damn parent . . . time to act like it.

Every time Finn comes back from Scott’s, this is what I get. It takes me hours to get him to finally lower his walls enough to actually give me more than one-word answers.

“Look,” Scott’s voice rises, “I’m not going to stand here and let you tell me what to do. I’ve dealt with your shit—”

“Mom? Is that?” Finn calls, stopping Scott’s yelling. I don’t need to turn around to know what he sees that has his voice filled with bewilderment. I see Scott’s reaction as he spots what I’m hoping is Noah with clothes on.

“Noah Frazier,” he says walking toward Finn with his hand extended. My eyes are wide, and I’m screaming at him in my head to get the hell in the closet, not go sit on the couch. He looks at me and smirks, basically answering my silent screaming. “You must be Finn.”

Finn stares at him with wide eyes and his jaw open. “You’re . . . Noah Frazier. From A Thin Blue Line!”

“I am. Your mom and I were working on our article, and I was hoping we’d get to meet.”

The two of them talk a little, and Scott watches with anger rolling off him. I don’t know what he’s pissed about, but that’s his issue. None of this would’ve happened if he hadn’t just shown up here.

This is going to be so bad.

Scott’s voice drops low enough so only I can hear him. “Isn’t this an interesting turn of events.”

“What? That I’m working on a Sunday?”

“I bet you’re working hard for that money.”

Oh, so now I’m a prostitute? Good to see he thinks so highly of me after all the years we spent together. Instead of going back at him, I take the high road. “I can’t change your opinion of me.”

“You get a check from me each month and find yourself a new wealthy boyfriend.”

“It’s always about the money.”

Jillian exits the car, and it’s clear she isn’t happy that she’s been kept waiting. “Jesus Christ, Scott. We have to go.”

“Hi, Jillian. Nice to see you again.” I smile.

Her eyes move to the couch where Noah is getting to his feet. “Oh.” Her hand flies to her throat. Noah moves toward the door, and Finn goes silent, glaring at Jillian. “Isn’t this a pleasant surprise seeing you again so soon.”

“The restaurant, right?” Noah asks with mock perplexity. He may be a good actor, but I know what he’s like when he isn’t pretending.

“Yes.” She smiles.

“I’m Noah.” He extends his hand to Scott and then drops it when he refuses to shake. “Anyway . . .” He laughs. “It’s great to meet you.”

“It’ll be nice seeing each other more regularly, it seems.” She places her hand on Scott’s arm, ensuring I can’t miss the huge diamond sitting on her hand.

I don’t want to be upset, but I’d be lying if I said it doesn’t hurt just a little. Not because I want him, but because it’s her. They really do deserve each other.

“I see that congratulations are in order.” I point to the engagement ring.

Scott shifts a little.

“I’m assuming that could be what has him upset?” I throw that out there.

Jillian huffs. “We don’t have time for this crap. If he’s upset, that’s his issue.”

I might just punch a bitch. My hand clenches into a fist, and I start to count, hoping to calm myself so I don’t end up in cuffs today.

Finn stands and throws his bag to the floor, making a loud thump and breaking me from my anger. “I hate her! Everything is changing, and you don’t even care!” he yells at Scott.

“Buddy.” Scott steps forward, but Finn kicks the bag, shocking us all.

I’ve never seen him act like this. He’s the silent one who lets his feelings fester.

“No! You don’t. You’re marrying her and having a new baby! What about Aubrey and me? You don’t love us because you love her!”

“Finn!” Scott calls, but my son is already running to his room.

A lot of information was said, and I want to process it all, but my heart is in my throat.

“Pregnant?” I look at them both.

“She’s four months.”

It doesn’t take me long to do the math. There’s no denying anything about their relationship anymore.

“Four months ago, we were still married. He’s not stupid, and he is in no way ready to have you remarried and have a new sibling. No wonder he’s pissed.”

Scott looks at Noah and back to me. “Yeah, it’s all my fault. Could have nothing to do with finding his mother with a new guy.”

I want to beat him with his own arms. As far as Finn knows, Noah is a friend. This is ridiculous, and he knows it. I can’t believe he’d do this to our kids.

“That must be it. It couldn’t be that he found out that you’re having a baby, getting married, and clearly something was said to him about it.”

“We handled things in our home the way we chose.” Jillian rolls her eyes. “It’s obvious where he gets his dramatics from.”

I move forward, but Noah grabs my arm before I can do anything stupid. My breathing is labored, and the sound of my heart is deafening. I can’t believe he’d do this to the kids. For everything that’s awful about him, he’s loved them. I might have been expendable, but I never thought our kids would be.