Defend

ls his eyes at whatever she says for at least a minute or two. “Fine. Let me know and I’ll show up. Bye.”

He grumbles under his breath as he sets his phone down on the kitchen counter and returns to the table.

“Everything okay?” I ask.

“No. My ex-wife’s boyfriend apparently proposed and she said yes. They are having a quick, small wedding in a few weeks and she’s inviting me. Insisting I show up! The woman doesn’t like me. Why do I need to go to her damn wedding anyway? She’s getting married. Great. I don’t need to be there because I’m the ex-husband. Right?”

“I would think so,” I hesitantly answer. “Maybe it’s because you’re the father of her children?”

Brent glares at me as if I’m his ex-wife. “That’s part of it. Supposedly, she’s over her intense dislike of me and thinks this will help us start fresh. It sounds like a load of bullshit to me. I don’t need to start fresh and I don’t need to attend a damn wedding.”

“So don’t go.” I don’t understand why he’d go if he doesn’t want to.

“You don’t understand my ex-wife. For some reason, she thinks I need to be there and she pulled out every reason imaginable including reminding me how I ruined her life and made her suffer in a terrible marriage. If showing up for a stupid wedding will actually get her off my back, I’ll go.” He stabs his breakfast with his spoon and slowly, a smile rises on his face as he looks at me. “And you’re going with me.”

“What? No way. I draw the line at ex-wives’ weddings, Brent.” I stand and carry my bowl and mug over to the sink. “And you have no time to beg because I have to leave.”

“There will be plenty of time tonight,” he reminds me.

I kiss him on the cheek since he just put a spoonful of food in his mouth. “Don’t make me change my mind,” I tease. “Text me when you want me to come over.” He goes to stand to walk me out, but I push him down with my hand on his shoulder. “Finish eating and I’ll see you later.”

“Have a good day,” he calls after me as I walk to the front door.

“You too!”

There is no way I’m agreeing to be Brent’s date to his ex-wife’s wedding, no matter how much he begs. No doubt Kayla will be unhappy. His ex-wife most likely won’t be happy either. Me going has disaster written all over it. If he actually does beg, I’ll have to find a way to distract him until he accepts a no answer.

For now, I have classes to attend. Yay me. The day I finish college, I’m going to run for the hills and never look back. College is even worse than high school. I’ve had terrible roommates who have no sense of personal space. The girl I have this semester keeps stealing my clothes. She swears she only borrows them, but that’s not the point. And if you borrow my bra, I don’t want it back.

There are some professors who drone on and on. All I want to do in those classes is sleep or skip it. Then there are the few smaller classes where the professors like to call on people whether they raised their hand or not. I really hate those classes. Can’t I just have a mixture of those two classes and take a chance on failing the exams? I don’t test well, especially with my test anxiety. So, I really love those classes that make you write papers outside of classes and your grades are based solely on that work.

My sister excelled in school. Me? I struggled every step of the way, even when I was younger. My mom loves to bring up the fact that I almost got held back in kindergarten, first grade, and second grade, but I just did make it through each time. Won’t that make a kid feel stupid and discouraged. She first told me in the third grade when I had to deal with those big tests at the end of the year and had my first huge experience with test anxiety.

When I didn’t pass those tests and had to retake them, I began to hate school. I’ve been feeding that hatred ever since and I can’t wait for the day I no longer have to worry about school.

I walk out of the class I share with Kayla, thankful it’s over and wanting nothing more than a nap. That’s usually how I feel after class.

“Hey, Jamie! Wait up!”

I stop and turn at the sound of Dax’s voice. “Hey. What’s up?” I ask as he comes to stand in front of me. Dax is a pretty cute, good guy from what I gather in our brief chats before and after class. Anyone who helps me out when I’m in a pinch always gets my approval, too.

“Would you want to go out some time?” He smiles and somehow, he packs all his charm into that smile.

“Oh.” He’s surprised me. I thought he’d ask me something about class. “I’m sorry, Dax. I’m actually seeing someone right now.”

His smile slackens slightly. “Okay. Cool. Well, I better get to my next class. See ya later.” He walks away as quickly as he appeared.

I turn around and spot Kayla nearby, eyeing me as if she’s disappointed I didn’t accept his offer to go on a date. That would suit her well. Too bad for her that the only man I have eyes for is Brent.

“Dad!”

I get out of the current vehicle I’m working on and walk around front to the engine and Kayla storms over, looking a hell of a lot like her mother in this moment. “Hey.” I kiss the top of her head. “How’s my little girl?”

She leans her hip against the car and folds her arms over her chest. “Mom is marrying Glenn.”

“I know. She called me this morning.”

Kayla huffs. “What is wrong with you two? Glenn is boring and Jamie is—”