I’d tried to call Fran and Howard a few times since, but my calls went unanswered. My kids loved the Mills and so did I. They were the only grandparents they had. My own parents had been nonexistent in their lives. They needed as many stabilizing factors as possible. And Fran and Howard were stable examples. They were good people, and I knew they’d get over their hurt and come around. I even bought a card, wrote a heartfelt note, and mailed it to them.

We finished our meal, and the kids curled up on the couch with Rusty and Mona to watch a movie. Junie helped me wash dishes and clean the kitchen.

“Have you heard from Easton?” She knew all about the issues with Fran and me kicking Easton out of the condo that morning.

“He’s texted me a few times. Just asked how things were going.”

“Did you respond?”

“No. I let him too far into my life. Now it’s time to back him out. He might be the kids’ biological father, but he hasn’t earned the right to be called Dad.”

Junie arched a brow and shook her head.

“What?”

“He hasn’t earned the right? Listen to yourself.”

“I don’t know what you’re getting at. Spell it out.”

“You want him to be part of their lives, but you want full control. Isn’t parenting a combined effort?”

“Well, yeah.”

“Mark let you deal with the kids. He was the fun dad who didn’t discipline them. He left the hard stuff to you. Maybe Easton wants more of a partnership. Have you discussed this with him?”

“Absolutely not.”

“Because you’re not willing to give up full control.” When Junie’s voice took on that superior tone, it grated on my last nerve.

“They’re my children. I have control. He does not.”

“I don’t think he sees it that way. You gave up full control when you contacted him. Don’t you see that?”

I hung my head. I did see that, but I fought it every step of the way.

Chapter Twenty-Seven

At an Impasse

~~Easton~~

The next day was a travel day and then we’d play a game in Vegas the following night and return to Seattle after the game and in time for New Year’s Eve.

Once we landed, I deposited my bags in the room and ran into Ziggy in the hotel bar. Most of our teammates had taken off to a casino across the street.

“What are you doing here?” I was surprised. Ziggy was the biggest partier on the team. He never missed a chance to party it up.

“Just taking it easy for once.” Ziggy shrugged. Something was bothering him, but I wasn’t one to push. If he wanted to tell me, he would. As far as I knew, he might be nursing the mother of all hangovers. A guy had to take a break once in a while.

“What about you? You’re not hanging out with the bros either.”

Ziggy and I had never been tight, but for some reason, I unloaded on him about the kids and Caro. He was a shockingly good listener and didn’t say anything until I was done with the entire sordid story.