Page 72 of Dad Next Door
“You’re such a millennial.”
“Right back atcha, little bro.” She pushed her long braid back over her shoulder. “You good if I head out?”
“Yeah. Thanks for today. Text me when you get home.”
“Will do. I’m gonna go say goodbye to the kidlet.”
“Have fun glamping.”
She pointed to the doorway, where Freddie, Mili, Shadow, and Jinx sat, patiently waiting for permission to come into the kitchen. “You have about ten seconds before Jinx breaks ranks and saves you from your paper towel.”
I crumpled up the sheet sitting on the counter. She wasn’t wrong. Jinx loved to shred paper, and paper towels were one of his sworn enemies.
“Later.” She waved over her shoulder. “Hey, Leo!” she yelled as she headed out of the kitchen.
“What?” he hollered back.
“I’m leaving! Where are you, so I can say goodbye?”
“Right here.”
“Where’s here? Get your butt over here and say goodbye to your favorite aunt.”
Chuckling, I waved the pets in and pulled out my phone to call Quinn.
“Tris?” he answered on the second ring. “Is everything okay?”
“Yeah, I think. Why do you sound panicked?”
“I’m not used to people calling me, like a voice call, unless it’s work related. I’ve been programmed to think a phone call means there’s an emergency.”
“Oh, sorry. I can hang up and text you instead.”
“It’s fine, Tris.” He huffed out a soft laugh. “You can call anytime you want. It was just a surprise because I’m not used to hearing my personal phone ring. What’s up?”
“Jace left Simon, and Leo knows we’re dating.”
The silence on the other end of the line was deafening.
“Quinn?” I checked to see if the call was still connected.
“I’m here, just processing. How do you feel about that?” he asked carefully.
I trudged over to the back living room and sank into my easy chair. “I’m not sure, exactly. Leo told me about Jace leaving, then repeated a bunch of nasty stuff Simon said about us and how you’re a gold digger.” I snort-laughed. “I know we haven’t talked money, but I’m pretty sure you make more than me, and you don’t have a kid and an army of pets draining your disposable income, so wouldn’t that make me the gold digger?”
“I’m sorry he’s still doing that, talking badly about you to Leo,” he said softly. “I know it’s not helpful right now, but Leo’s a smart kid. He’ll remember all of this when he’s older. He’ll see which parent acted like his parent.”
“I know. I just hate having to always take the high road. I want to be petty and mean too. I’m the one who got cheated on. He left me, but I’m the problem?”
“You can be as mean and petty as you want with me. I think he needs a new nickname. Something so bad we have to use an acronym. I’ll workshop some ideas, and we’ll pick the winner.”
I smiled. Quinn always knew how to lighten the mood without invalidating my frustrations or feelings.
“So what happened with Jace?” he asked.
I outlined what Leo and Lydia told me.
“Wow. Now that’s an exit.” Quinn laughed, the sound throaty and rich. “The handwritten letter is just chef’s kiss.”