Both women snap their mouths closed. Dad’s smile is that one he pastes on when he doesn’t know what else to do—usually when Mother has done something that embarrasses him.
I kiss Caden’s forehead and let out a breath that feels like it’s been held for far too long. “Jessica, you first.”
She drops the diaper bag at my feet. “Angela’s husband got hurt in an accident at work. I’d only just finished rehab and had to take Caden because she’s got her hands full what with doctoring Scott’s burns and her own rugrats.”
Mother steps between Jessica and me. “She shouldn’t be dumping her kid on you. You aren’t even his father. Don’t let her use you—”
Dad places his hand on Mother’s arm. “Now, Reba, I told you not to—”
Mother turns to him and smacks at his hand. “Leave me alone. This is my son, and I won’t let him—”
The pressure in my chest builds with every word the two women utter.
Jessica pushes in front of Mother. “I can’t do this, Ty. I should’ve known that from the start. If you want him, he’s yours. If you don’t, fine. He’s going up for adoption.”
That word stabs through me like a hot iron.
Holy fuck.
My hold on Caden tightens as I turn, shielding him with my body. “Adoption?”
“I don’t need a baby. I can’t afford a baby. I really didn’t even want a baby.” She pushes her fingers through her already wild hair, her rapid breaths puffing between dry lips. “I only kept him in the first place because you said you’d give me money. Seemed like an easy enough way to make money. So, unless you want to keep paying…”
“Of course he’s not going to give you money or take that baby—a baby who isn’t even his.” Mother struggles against the hand Dad still has on her elbow.
Jake steps in and pulls Caden from my arms. “Why don’t you let Uncle Jake hold him for a few minutes while y’all sort this out? I haven’t seen this little man in a long time.”
He carries my son away from the drama playing out in my entryway.
“Surely, you aren’t going to let her dump her kid on you, Tyson? I raised you to be smarter than that.”
I do my best to block out the shrillness of Mother’s tone as I study Jessica. The dark circles under her eyes and the pallor of her skin, along with dilated pupils, set off my inner alarm bells.
I take Jessica’s elbow and steer her toward the front door, not wanting to let her even one more step further into my home. “I’ll take him. But you have to do everything my attorney says and sign whatever he tells you to sign. And you can’t have Caden back. You just got out of rehab, and already, you’re tweaked up.”
“You aren’t really going to saddle yourself with that kid, are you, Tyson? Tyson, answer me this instant.”
I grit my teeth and catch Dad’s eye, shaking my head.
Dad grips Mother’s arm, and in a completely uncharacteristic move, he raises his voice, saying, “Now, Reba, that’s enough. We’re going to let our son make his own decisions, and you’re going to stay out of it. If you don’t, I swear, I will leave you to find your own transportation home.”
I lead Jessica further from the house. “Are we clear on the conditions?”
She nods. “Do you think you can spot me a Benji? You know, since I brought you the kid and all? I just need something to get by on for a while.”
“I’ll get Dad to take you to wherever you’re staying. But you aren’t getting another God-damned dime from me.”
Her brows draw together. “Not even a little?”
Mother calls from the front seat of their car. “You tramp, quit trying to extort money from my son!”
My fists clench, and I expel a deep breath to keep calm.
“It’s not the same thing as extortion, Reba.” Dad slams her door. “Jessica, did you want me to take you home?”
Jess looks from the car to me and back again. “Yeah. I’m coming.”
She turns.
“Don’t you want to say goodbye to Caden?” I motion to the house. “I can go get him.”
She shakes her head, waving backward over her shoulder. “Nah. The kid doesn’t even like me. He cries all the fucking time.”
Dad strolls toward me, hands in his pockets.
I meet him halfway. “Thanks for bringing Caden out here. I’m sure listening to Mother all the entire drive over wasn’t pleasant.”
He lets out a soft chuckle and shakes his head. “It’ll probably be worse going the other direction.”
“Why do you put up with her? The way she is—it’s all the time, never-ending.”