Pierced Hearts (Southern Charmers 1)

Until today. Today, I have a new appreciation for the grueling, backbreaking, and sweat-soaking hours of work.

The reason is the stunning brunette, shagging to the tunes of beach music with my Dad on the dance floor under a tent. They are surrounded by friends doing the same. Huge misting fans stand in the corners, but no one seems to care about the heat.

Edward dances with Annie, Evin with my mom, Miller with Maya, and Cole is cannonballing his way to a Guinness world record with a few other kids. The only thing keeping me from stealing Darby from Dad is the phone in my hand, weighing me down like a boulder. Connie is supposed to let me know when she’s on the way to pick up the kids, and I want to have them ready to meet her at the front.

Not surprisingly, she’s late, even after insisting she wanted them to spend the holiday with her family.

Edward shimmies Annie over to Miller, and they exchange partners, Maya’s voice exploding in giggles when Edward takes her little hands in his and swings her out.

My girl is happy. She’s having the time of her life.

I’m about to say fuck-it and join them when Runner jumps up, growling fiercely. I slash my head to him, then follow his line of sight to find Connie standing inside the back gate, glowering at the dance floor. He jets past me, over the pool deck, and through the crowd until he’s circling Darby. She’s also laughing but glances down and stops dead, crouching to him. Miller turns, sees Connie, and heads our way.

“Connie, stop,” I say low enough for her to hear.

She shoots a death glare my way.

“You were supposed to let me know when you were coming.”

“Wouldn’t that be convenient?” she snaps.

“That was the point, to make it convenient.”

“So you could make me the bad parent? Taking my kids away from the big party to spend the holiday with their own mother, instead of having the decency of inviting me?”

“Don’t cause a scene, Connie.”

“Why? Because Queen Darby may be embarrassed?” She throws her hand out to the direction of the dance floor.

“No, because our kids don’t deserve it.”

“We need to talk,” she fumes, changing her direction toward my parents’ patio doors.

“Don’t,” I bark.

“Why? Am I not allowed in the family home anymore? Jill and Warren have been brainwashed as well?”

“Hello, Connie,” Mom soothes the air, appearing at my side.

“Jill.”

“Pierce, why don’t you take Connie to the kitchen, and I’ll get the kids ready to go? They are very excited about going downtown with their mom for the festivities. It shouldn’t take long.”

I nod, noticing out of the corner of my eye, Evin and Miller already walking inside.

Connie opens her mouth to argue but has the manners to nod, stomping past us. I kiss my mom on the temple, whispering my thanks, and glance to see Darby with an encouraging smile as she twirls Maya around again to keep her distracted. Cole is still jumping in the pool without a care in the world.

Crisis averted.

I meet Connie in the kitchen, where she is glaring at Miller and Evin, who are at the table, drinking beer and shuffling cards. “Do they really need to be here?”

“I’m not focused on them. I’m wondering why you need to talk to me.”

“I’m sick of being the bad parent,” she claims.

“We’ve had this discussion before. You need reinforcement with discipline, you call. If you need help with implementing rules in your time, you call. Problems with the kids, you call.” I end on emphasis, trying to implement Darby’s way of thinking in how I deal with her.

“You think you have all the answers, that our kids will adapt to a broken home easily when you introduce them to the old love of your life and things will be perfect over here. But you have no idea what’s happening at my place. All they talk about is going on vacation, going to water parks, fancy dinners, and family parties. Today’s the perfect example! There are a hundred people out there dancing, singing, swimming, eating… Our kids should have their mom and their dad here!” she screams, and Evin sends me a look that speaks for itself.

His sister will never be put in that position, ever.

“Connie, your parents have a pool, they take you all on a family vacation every year, and you have enough money to give them a day at the water park. What’s important to them is spending quality time with you. We are not a broken home. You know this. Why bring it to me today?”

“I don’t want Darby Graham in their life. If you’re stupid enough to let her back into yours, that’s your business. She ruined you once, she’s leaving again, and my children don’t need to witness the aftermath. This little fling you’re introducing them to is not healthy. You want to focus this on our children, and that is what this is. Me protecting the kids.”