Chapter 18 (Caden)

                                        

                                              
My phone buzzed just as I was putting the finishing touches on the house. I'd spent the last hour cleaning up the house—fresh flowers from the market, a few candles lit, and I even made that taco dish we used to share when we were first dating. It's been forever since we had it and I'd forgotten how much we used to love sitting together each with a fork and just eating directly from the pan. I thought I'd put it in the oven after Macy goes back to her mom's—provided Felicity is interested. 
Macy was upstairs getting ready, when I saw Jessica's name flashed across my phone.
I almost didn't answer. Almost let it go to voicemail like I should have done a dozen times over the past few months. But Macy is here, so I obviously can't. I'm still working on figuring out the balance. I thought it could be something that Felicity and I decide on together...instead of me making another unilateral decision that impacts my wife—without thinking of how it affects her. 
"Hey, Jess."
"I need Macy home. Now."
No hello. No pleasantries. Straight to demands. Classic Jessica.
"What's wrong? Is everything okay?"
"Nothing's wrong. I just want my daughter back. You've had her all weekend."
I glanced at the clock. Felicity's flight should be landing soon if my calculations are correct. "Can it wait until tonight? I was hoping—"
"No, it can't wait. Brad's taking us to dinner, and I want Macy there. Family dinner."
Family dinner. The phrase hit like a slap. Since when did Jessica care about family dinners? Last I heard, Brad was the guy who complained about everything related to Macy.
"Jess, Macy was really hoping to be here today. Felicity's coming home from her trip, and Macy wanted to see her before she headed home la—"
"Why's that? Because you're putting Felicity over Macy's interests? Gaslighting Macy into thinking Felicity is some sort of mom to her? I'm her mom. Felicity is nothing but a weekend addition to her life. Enough is enough Caden."
The venom in her voice caught me off guard. "Hey! That's completely unfair and absolutely uncalled for."
"Get her ready to come home Caden. I don't need to defend my decisions. Handle it."
"Jess, I am supposed to have her for a couple more hours."
"You never cared before if I picked her up early. You don't get to start now."
That one landed. Because it was true. But not anymore.
"Look, can we just—"
"No. I'll be there in twenty minutes."
The line went dead.
I stared at the phone, frustration bubbling in my chest. What the fuck had just happened? This wasn't about dinner. This was about control. About Jessica making sure I couldn't have something good happen without her interference.
I climbed the stairs. Macy's door was cracked open and she was sitting on her bed, listening to music.
"Hey, kiddo."
She looked up, grinning. "Hi!" She looked really happy. 
My heart sank. "So... your mom called. She wants you to come home."
The smile fell from her face. "But I thought I was staying until after Felicity gets here."
"I know. I thought so too."
"Can't I just call her back? Tell her I want to stay for a little while longer?"
Before I could answer, her phone rang. Mom flashed on the screen.