“We’re not here talking about my mother, asshole. We’re here talking about my sister. The woman who took a tanking pharmaceutical company and single-handedly revived it into not only the biggest medicinal conglomerate in the nation, but the largest donator of medical services internationally.”
“Who also likes to pop pills and top her drinks off with Benadryl.”
“Nyquil, but I get what you’re saying.”
“Have you thought about that?” Paul asked. “Because it’s plausible. You’re the godfather of those kids. You would get full custody of them. Then what?”
“I’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.”
“Ryan-”
“Look, Paul. I appreciate your concern. I know you think I’d be some awesome family man who would porn star it up for my wife and raise these perfect children who would be wonderful contributors to society. What you fail to take into account is the fact that I don’t want any of that.”
“I don’t believe that for a second.”
“And why not?”
“Because I see the way you look at Cassidy and I when you come over,” he said. “There’s admiration, sure. But there’s also a look of wanting in your life. Yeah, your life’s plastered all over the news. And sure, you go out partying and take shots out of women’s bosoms. But you go home lonely.”
“I always have someone on my arm,” I said.
“I didn’t say you went home alone. I said you went home lonely.”
I bit down on the inside of my cheek as I grabbed my sweat towel. I popped open my water bottle and squeezed some into my mouth. This wasn’t the way I wanted to start out my day, but I knew Paul had a point.
If CPS and the courts intervened any further and granted me custody of those kids, I needed a game plan. Because the truth was, Valentina hadn’t gotten any better the first few times this had happened. So what made this time different?
“If anything, think of it this way. Growing up in your family showed you what you can’t do as a parent,” Paul said.
“Or it showed me the fact that I shouldn't be one,” I said.
“However, you want to interpret that is fine. But I’ve seen you with Cassidy and I’ve seen you with your own niece and nephews. You’d be a great dad.”
“And you’d be a terrible psychiatrist,” I said with a grin. “Now, you ready to go get us some shakes or what? Because I need a damn shower.”
“Fine, but no chocolate in yours today.”
“What? Why?”
“Because I’m your trainer and I said so,” Paul said with a wink.
“You’re a dick.”
“And you need to push yourself harder on leg day. Come on, wimp.”
“Push myself harder? I almost puked.”
“Well, you should’ve actually puked.”
“I’m starting to think you’re a terrible trainer as well.”
“You’re just now starting to realize that?” he asked.
I grinned as I tossed him his towel and the two of us headed for the door. I had a long day ahead of me and I was ready to get it off on a decent foot. Paul and I headed back for the showers before cleaning ourselves up, then we grabbed a couple of protein shakes as we made our way out the front doors.
“Do you think the courts would actually give me custody of those kids?” I asked.
I turned and looked at Paul as he mulled the question over in his mind.