Page 41 of Taking What Was His

Evan held up the tool and grinned. “I’m glad I found it. I was worried I wouldn’t find it, and it used to be my dad’s.”

She smiled. “I’m glad you found it, too.”

“So, what are you guys doing tonight? Do you want to go and get pizza or something?”

Beth swallowed. “We can’t. We already have plans. I’m sorry. Maybe another time.”

“Oh,” Evan looked back and forth. “Yeah, maybe another time.” He turned to Jayden. “Do you want to catch a game this next week?”

“I’m not sure. I start basketball practice tomorrow, and I don’t know how long it lasts, and then I’ll have homework.”

“Maybe on the weekend.”

“Yeah,” Jayden nodded.

“Well, I better get going.”

“Bye, Evan,” Beth said.

She listened to his truck door slam, and then he drove off. Only then did she relax.

Jayden popped open a can of pop. “What’s up with him?”

“I don’t think he likes us hanging around Roman.”

“He’s jealous?”

“Maybe.”

“Was he thinking he’d move into dad’s life and take over? Be your husband and my dad?”

“I don’t know for sure, but I’m guessing yes.”

“You haven’t wanted that type of relationship with him, have you?”

“No. I don’t feel like that about him. I never have, and he knows it.”

“He’ll get over it, Mom.”

“Would you have wanted him for a stepfather?”

Jayden shook his head. “Honestly, no.”

“Really?” she asked, surprised. “Why?”

“I don’t know. It’s just sometimes he acts fake or something.”

“You never told me that.”

“Because it’s not a big deal.”

What else had she missed, she wondered. The doorbell rang before she could say anything else.

“I’ll get it, Mom.”

“Okay,” Beth murmured and then turned to wipe down an already clean counter. She heard Roman’s deep voice before he walked into the kitchen and set several grocery bags down.

She turned to face him, and her eyes widened when she caught sight of all the bags. “How much food are you making?”