'Tis The Season

“YOU THINK YOU’RE HILARIOUS, don’t you?”

The voice ruins my good mood. “What are you doing here?” I turn to face him with Monty in my arms.

“Waiting.” Preston looks over at the car where James gathers the extra supplies he had lying around and gifted for Monty’s use. “Are you serious? You hooked up with the guy from the drugstore?” He sneers. “If you’re trying to make me jealous, it isn’t working.”

“The world doesn’t revolve around you, Preston.” I roll my eyes and fish out my keys to unlock the front door.

“You made me look like a fool in front of your family.”

“No, you did that yourself. Maybe this will be a lesson about not forcing yourself into places where you aren’t invited.”

His lips thin into a line, and the color fades from his face. “They were happy to see me and wondering where you were.”

“They have my number.” I won’t let him use my family against me.

“They’re worried about you, just like I am. Neither of us understands what you’re trying to prove.”

I shake my head. “Nothing. This is about doing what I feel is right for my child and me. You’re the one turning it into a stressful process.”

“I don’t get dismissed by nurses who come from nothing. You will not make me.” He reaches for my wrist. I back into the corner, wedging myself between the door and the wall. His hand is stopped by James.

“Is there a problem?” James moves in front of me, forcing Preston back. They’re evenly matched in size, but James has a dangerous edge Preston couldn’t pull off on his best day.

“I don’t know. You tell me,” Preston says. “I’ve never seen you a day in my life, and you’re pulling up with my—”

“Nothing.”

Preston’s mouth momentarily drops open at the interruption. “Excuse me?”

“The mother of your child and nothing else. For a doctor, you don’t understand basic concepts very well.”

Preston bares his teeth. “Is this supposed to be a joke? Did you hire him as your holidate? Whatever she’s paying you, I’ll double it.”

“Is he serious?” James turns to me.

Exhaling, I cover my face with my hand. “Unfortunately, yes.”

“I get a say about who my daughter is around. If you pick up some random man off the street who does God knows what for a living, I’m going to protest.”

“Let me set your mind at ease. I’m a doctor.”

Preston’s eyes bulge. “W-What? Where do you work?”

He gives a shit-eating grin. “I have my own practice.”

“Were you seeing him before we broke up?”

“Finally, you admit it.” I toss my hands in the air.

“Is Flora even mine?”

My jaw drops.

“You are way out of line,” James barks.

“It’s all very coincidental, isn’t it?” He gives a fake laugh. “No wonder you didn’t want to stay with me. You had another doctor in the wings. Look at all the things he’s bringing you for the baby.”

“It’s for Monty, you cunt. I’m the vet who found him.”