I really hate that I’m even thinking about this stuff.
The immediate goal is to get through the weekend. Today is really the only day we’ll cross paths with him because I’m not competing in the skills competition or playing in tomorrow’s all-star game, so I’ll be sure to avoid him like the plague now that I know he’s here.
Before I headed off to my autograph session, I left Serena and Joey with Aspen and Maisie, after giving Banks a quick recap of the situation. He promised to let Aspen know what was up and that she would stay with Serena. Just in case.
Just in case what, I’m not sure. All I know is I don’t want DeMarco harassing her when I’m not around.
It’s hard to concentrate on the fans because I’m so worried about what DeMarco might be up to, but eventually I settle into a groove. There are a lot of kids here, wearing my jersey, asking for autographs and pictures, and they deserve my full attention no matter what’s going on in my personal life.
The hour I’m scheduled for moves into ninety minutes before one of the coordinators comes to officially end the event, and I head out. Serena is back at the carnival with Joey, and we’re meeting by the photo booth because we want to take some silly pictures together.
I’ve just gotten to the door that leads into the convention area when I feel a hand on my arm.
“McGregor.”
Christ, I know that voice.
“What do you want, DeMarco?”
“How do you like my sloppy seconds?”
I know he’s just trying to get a rise out of me and it takes a lot of self-control not to punch him right in the face. Grind my fist into his nose and watch blood spurt out.
Jesus, I’m not usually a violent guy but he brings out the worst in me.
“There a point to this?” I ask in as even of a tone as I can manage considering my blood pressure probably just shot through the roof.
“That little boy is my son.”
“Nowhe’s your son? You didn’t want anything to do with him when she told you she was pregnant.”
“I wanted him—I just didn’t want to share him with some trailer park gold digger. I told her to get rid of it to save us both a lot of aggravation, but now that I know she didn’t, I want to get to know my boy.”
“You can’t just show up three years later and expect her to welcome you with open arms. She doesn’t want or need you in his life.”
“I don’t really care what she wants. He’s my son.”
“So you’ve said.”
He narrows his eyes. “You can’t take them from me.”
I laugh even though it isn’t funny. “You never had either one of them.”
“We’ll see about that.” He winks, with that annoying smirk that I’ve hated since the first time we met. “You know you always lose to me, McGregor. This time won’t be any different.” With that, he turns on his heel and walks in the other direction.
Mother. Fucker.
I’m definitely not telling Serena about what he said. I don’t want her to worry unless and until she has to. Most likely, he just said those things to get under my skin.
Unfortunately, it worked.
The rest of the trip is fun, but Serena and I are a little more subdued than usual. I know she’s not sleeping well because I feel her tossing and turning beside me. I didn’t say anything last night but this is our final night in St. Louis and I don’t want our trip to end on a sour note.
“What’s wrong, angel?” I whisper in the darkness. “Can’t sleep?”
“No.”
I turn on my side and pull her against me. “Talk to me.”