Nip it in the Bud (Bunch-A-Blooms 3)

“Of course I do. They’re my kids, aren’t they?”

Only when it’s convenient, though, right? I bite my tongue. Arguing won’t change anything. I take a deep breath.

“As I said before, they don’t want to come here.”

“You’re the adult. Not them. Make them come.”

I shake my head. “Why should I, Mon?”

“Because I’m their mother.”

“Yes, and you’ve hurt them in a m

illion different ways. I don’t think you realize how your life choices have impacted them.”

She scoffs. “What, you’re a counselor now?”

“No, I’m their father. The parent who deals with them every day and sees firsthand the damage you’ve caused. I’m the one who takes them to counseling and hears what the doctor has to recommend,” I say calmly. She’s a button pusher. If she realizes something gets under your skin, she’ll go for it full tilt.

“You telling me I don’t get a chance to make it up to them?”

“Monica.” Pinching the bridge of my nose, I sigh. “At this point, it’s more traumatic to force them to come. They don’t want to be here or have any contact with you at the moment. I refuse to force them. I did that for years, and I was wrong. I didn’t want to cut you out of their life because, yes, you are their mother, but I can no longer continue to play Russian roulette with their stability, mental health, and self-esteem.”

She leans closer to the screen. “What are you trying to say?”

“I think it’s time you sign your rights away.”

“Fuck you, Drew. You’re not even their real father.”

The words are well-aimed missiles that go straight to my heart. “It takes more than genetic make-up to be a father, Monica.”

“You think any court is going to keep their only biological parent away from them permanently?”

“When said parent is locked away doing fifteen, yes. By the time you get out, they’ll both be adults capable of making their own decision about associating with you.”

“You want to act so holier than thou since you found God. Let me remind you, you’re an addict, too.”

“Yes, but I’ve been in recovery for over ten years,” I say quietly.

“You found money and fame, and you want to rid yourself of your embarrassing past. I’m not something you can sweep under the rug.”

I ignore her taunts.

“No, I’ve done everything I can to help you. Hell, I paid for your lawyers, Monica. I have to put the girls’ welfare first.”

“And signing the papers will do that how?”

“Because it gives me total control over what happens to my girls. It’s time. You’ve used up all your chances. We can do this the hard way or the easy way. I can take you to court, or you can show how much you really care about those girls and sign of your own free will. The last thing they need is to be interviewed, cross-examined, and put through the wringer by the press.”

Her jaw ticks. I hold my breath. She hangs up the phone, ending out conversation. The hard way it is.

Chapter Two

Willow

I can’t stop my giggle as I walk into Hangover Easy and spot Olive in a pair of shades, a messy bun, and a casual outfit. The colorful floral print tights and an oversized white T-shirt are tame for her. Which means one of two things.

“Are you hungover from drinking or your new husband?” I ask as I sit next to her.