When We Go Back Again (Mason Brothers Book #1)

Chapter 35

EDEN

Joseph had just started to dig into his cereal when he paused, “Mommy, do you think that we can see daddy today?”

I tried to hide my detest for the question, “I’m not sure, Joseph. I’ll call him and see if he’s busy.”

“Pretty please! Because he said the other day that he’d take me to the resort so we could go skating and I really want to do that.”

“I have some things to arrange first, but once I can I’ll give him a call. Now finish up your breakfast so your tummy is nice and full.”

I kiss the top of his head and walk back out of the kitchen and into my bedroom, sinking down into my bed I bury my face in my hands and begin to cry. For the last three days, I’ve been living in what feels like hell. I don’t even know what happened with Fletcher. I tried to call him the day after Christmas, but he sent my calls right to voicemail.

I know that he was pissed about Caleb showing up for dinner and I was too, but I don’t know what he expected me to do. I wouldn’t call it appeasing to do what I did. Caleb put me in an impossible situation with Joseph and I just did what I thought was best.

The next day, Caleb called and asked if we could come to visit him at the resort. I really didn’t want to, but I knew that it was good for Joseph to see his dad. As I expected, Caleb showered him with stupid expensive gifts, including a brand new iPad. Thankfully, Joseph showed little interest in it and I was able to hide it away. He does not need that at 4.

What really pissed me off was the San Diego Zoo pass, he told Joseph that he could use it anytime he came to visit. I was about ready to rip him a new one, but he knows exactly what he’s doing. He’s using these expensive gifts and giving them in front of Joseph so that I can’t say no without being the bad guy. Joseph has already asked me three times when we can go to San Diego to visit the zoo.

When we were leaving the resort, Joseph saw the ice skating rink that they had set up for the holidays. Caleb opened his big mouth again and said we could come back another day to go skating. He’s always been a master manipulator, but now he’s using our child as his weapon. Joseph doesn’t deserve to be the pawn in this game, but saying no would just break his heart so of course when I finish getting ready and I’m going to call Caleb. It would make me feel better if Fletcher would join us as a buffer of sorts, but he’s not taking my calls because I’ve messed up that situation too.

Caleb acted thrilled on the phone when I told him that we were going to visit. He offered to send a car, but I wanted to be in control of the situation as much as I could. I tried to keep my negative thoughts in my head as we pulled up to the resort once again. I hated this place and everything that it stood for. Caleb told me to go right to the valet drop off and he was right there waiting for us when we pulled up.

“Daddy!” Joseph ran right into his arms and Caleb swooped him up onto his hip.

“What’s up, Joseph? Are you ready to skate?”

“I’ve never done this before. Will you stay with me the entire time?”

“Of course. Are you coming too, Mom?” He asks me.

I shake my head, “I’ll watch from the sidelines. Somebody has to take pictures.”

My smile was fake and I hoped that neither of them noticed. I’m trying to keep my distance from my ex-husband as much as I can. He has made his intentions clear, but I’m not interested in being in a relationship with him. Even if Fletcher doesn’t want to be with me anymore, I know that better men than Caleb exist and I refuse to fall into the same trap once again. It didn’t end well the first time and it wouldn’t be any better the second time, even if he apologizes and swears that he changed.