Page 78 of Scoring Chances

“Whatever, man. Good luck taking care of those kids without the help of your nanny. History’s proven you have t-minus forty eight hours until everything goes to shit.”

He grabs his water bottle off the counter and storms off in the direction of his room.

“The fucking nerve,” I mutter to myself.

I finish cleaning the dishes, still heated with Keelan, when Maddie and Parker come bouncing down the stairs.

“We’re going to the park. We’re going to the park,” Maddie chants.

I school my face into a smile when she comes bounding into the kitchen. Parker is slower, taking his time down the steps, one at a time.

“Hey, brats!”

“What happened to the bacon?” Maddie scrunches her face as I set the burnt offerings on the kitchen table.

Parker pulls on my shirt for me to pick him up. “Hey! You hungry, bud?

He nods his head and I pop him into the hair chair. I’m buckling him in when the doorbell rings.

“I’ll go get it!” Maddie says, jumping out of her chair and rushing into the hall.

“It’s probably just Julia here to clean!” I call out to her. “Check before you open the door.”

I listen closely when Maddie opens the door.

“Hi,” she says.

“Oh, hi. I think we have the wrong house. So sorry!”

Mom?! Oh shit.

I unbuckle Parker and carry him with me into the hall.

“Mom! Oliver! What are you guys doing here?”

My mom stops mid-spin, she was about to leave when she sees me in the hall.

“Josh?” She eyes the kids. “You knew we were coming to town. I didn’t realize you had visitors.”

“Oh–I guess, I figured you’d call, Mom.”

“I did call. Last week. I told we were coming.”

Cassidy strolls down the stairs, she’s wearing shorts and a cropped t-shirt. “Hey, I couldn’t find Parker's sneakers have you–” She sees my mom and Oliver still standing at the entrance. “Oh, hello.”

Mom looks at me with wide eyes.

“Hello,” she says to Cassidy. “I’m Josh’s mom, Catherine Hicks. This is my husband, Oliver.”

“His stepdad,” Cassidy says. “I’ve heard so much about you. It’s a pleasure to meet you both.”

Cassidy looks at me puzzled but reaches a hand out to shake them.

“And you are?” Mom asks.

“That’s Cassidy,” Maddie says, “She’s–”

“My girlfriend,” I blurt out.