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She gives him a bright smile. “I’d love to. When is it?”
“Camp is for a month. It’s the last weekend before we come home.”
“What positions do you guys play?”
“Bam wants to be a quarterback like Uncle Brad. I play tight end. I’m still working on my hands to become a wide receiver like Daddy.”
I note that Bam has been rather quiet throughout dinner. Scoot and Snacks have been regular chatter boxes, but my youngest seems to have shutdown. Concern fills me and I begin to observe him more closely.
After about another twenty minutes of banter between everyone, Bam asks to be excused. I nod for him to go, but I get up to follow. He goes outside onto the porch and sits on one of the swing seats.
I follow him out and sit beside him. He’s silent as he stares up at the stars. I run a hand through his hair. God, when did my kids get so big?
“Everything all right, son?”
He looks at me with sad eyes. Then he scoots closer and leans into me. I wrap an arm around him.
“I don’t want to like her,” he murmurs.
“Oh, buddy. I’m not trying to replace your mama.”
“That ain’t it. I don’t want to like her because I don’t want her to ignore me like Mama. I don’t want to care about her for her not care about me.
“You’re the only one who cares about us. We don’t need a mama. We’re fine with just you.”
My heart tightens. I feel the rage building, but I push it back down. This is why I left.
Donna has only hurt these kids. Her selfishness has scarred us all. I’m always left to clean up her mess.
“Johnathan, look at me.”
He lifts his head and looks me in the eyes. “Lynn is not your mama. She’s someone I care a lot about.
“We’re not going to force you to feel anything you don’t want to. All I can ask is that you give her a chance. Get to know her.
“She’s not the type to hurt others, and if you choose to like her, she’s going to reciprocate that,” I tell him.
“Reciprocate?”
I chuckle lightly. “She’ll love you back. Lynn is going to love you either way. So if you want to like her, it’s safe. She’ll take care of your heart. If you don’t want to like her, you’ve always got me to give you all the love you need.”
He wraps his arms around my waist and holds me tightly. I rub his back and feel him relax against me. A few moments go by, and I realize he’s passed out.
“I love you, son.”
CHAPTER 24
With Trevor
Donna
“Argh,” I growl and toss my wine glass.
“I could’ve told you that was going to backfire on you,” Corinne says smugly.
“Shut up and turn it up.”
She rolls her eyes but turns up the volume on the TV. Damn near every station has been showing the same crap. Instead of crucifying Trevor and his little whore, they’ve been singing their praises.
“Wow, this is priceless,” Corinne giggles, causing me to scowl even more.
I tune her out and focus on the TV. It’s like watching a train wreck. I can’t force myself to look away.
“We’re here with Annie Bakermen. She has known the accused since grade school. Annie, what can you tell us about Mr. Monroe?”
“I just wanted to say I’ve only ever knew Trevor to be a kind soul. He’s hard working, and he loves the dickens out of those babies of his. I couldn’t tell you a bad thing about Trevor.
“He’s a pillar in the community. A real stand-up guy, and I hate this for him. Now the one accusing him of this, that’s another story. But that’s none of my business. I stand with Trevor Monroe.”
“It be your own friends,” Corinne says, shaking her head.
I reach to grab the remote from her to change to another channel. Again, they’re covering the same thing. I roll my eyes and toss the remote down.
“He worked on our home last spring. Always had a smile for us and was kind enough to put the playset in for our little ones in the backyard free of charge. My husband and I see him down at the grocery store with his kids all the time.
“He’s a very nice man. I stand with Trevor Monroe,” this woman says.
It cuts to an older man. “He’s a fine young fella. Comes to get his bait and tackle from me. He takes them boys fishing almost every other weekend.
“He’s polite and those boys have manners just like him. The wife came with him once when the boys were little. Now that wasn’t a lady at all. Mean to the core. I stand with Trevor Monroe.”
“Turn it off,” I snarl as I stand to pace the room.
“What did you expect? You’re going up against Texas’s very own darlin’. Not to mention Trevor really is a kind person.
