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Her index finger tapped her lips while she thought about it. She couldn’t pick just one for many reasons, but she settled on, “We do fun stuff together. I love spending time with Daddy, but Mack always makes it special.”
“Because you’re special!” I got up and pulled Cam in for a hug while I kissed her cheeks. “You know that?”
“I know. I know.” She was laughing so hard she could barely get the words out.
“I love you boo.”
“I love you, Mommy.”
“Alright, go make some more artwork while you wait for Dad. I have homework to do.”
“You’re always doing homework. You’re going to be so smart.”
“I hope so,” I replied as she carefully set the picture on my dresser before leaving the room.
The laws and policies were running together when Mom yelled for me. Closing my textbook, I collected Cam from her bedroom and walked downstairs to greet the worst decision of my life.
“Hey, Squirt. You ready to go?” Marcus asked.
Cam nodded as I helped her slide on the straps of her bookbag, which she insisted on taking because Alaina didn’t like sharing her Barbies.
“Please be careful and have her back by five o’clock.”
“Five? That’s not what we discussed,” Marcus complained.
“Change of plans,” I shrugged because he needed to be grateful she was going. Mack didn’t say what, but it had to be something big to keep Cam close.
Marcus delivered a mischievous grin before turning to Cam.
“Why don’t you join Ember and Alaina in the car,” he suggested, causing me to roll my eyes.
Cam was hesitant, looking back at me for confirmation which only seemed to piss Marcus off. Nodding, she skipped out of the door, giving us privacy.
“Time is ticking on that offer, you know.”
“You won’t let me forget it.”
“So, what’s it going to be, Skylar?” Marcus inquired as if he was doing me a favor.
“I’m not letting you take her out of the country,” I replied, standing my ground. I wouldn’t be any better than he or Adria if I did.
“So I guess I need to come back when Mack is home.”
“Or I could simply fund your little trip. Since you like showboating so much, I could give you the money to impress Ember since that’s all you care about.”
“Hmm, I like my idea better.”
“You have a new girlfriend that you clearly like, so why are you trying to ruin my happiness?” I probed.
“You weren’t supposed to be happy with another man. You damn sure weren’t supposed to move my daughter in and play house with him. That was never the dream, and you know it.”
Control. That’s all Marcus cared about, and with Mack in the picture, he no longer had any.
“Neither was you putting my head through a wall, but we have to draw the line somewhere.”
Marcus tugged at his beard because he likely wanted to do it again as a punishment for holding him accountable.
“I tell you what. Since you’re feeling so generous, I’ll let you buy yourself some time. We have a fun-filled day planned for the girls, and what’s fun without money,” Marcus smiled, opening his hand.
