I lean over and press a kiss to her forehead. It’s too natural.
Maya’s eyes widen a little more as I pull away. “Mm. Okay. Thank you.”
As soon as I stand from the bed, I tuck her back in and watch as her eyes flutter shut. I walk towards Skye’s cot and tug her into my arms as she cries. I take her to the living room and shut the bedroom door.
“Oh, baby.” I rock her gently. “I think someone needs to be changed and fed. Huh?”
Skye’s face starts to redden as she continues to cry. After changing and feeding her, I sit with her on the sofa as she finally drifts back to sleep. I stare like I always do, wondering how we made the most perfect little human.
I drag my finger gently across her cheek.
“I wouldn’t change you for the world,” I whisper. “And I’m going to get your mum back, no matter how hard I try.She deserves love, and care, and everything in between, and I promise I’ll never let you two down again.”
My eyes sting at the way she looks so peaceful between my arms.
When I head home laterthat morning after greeting Maya with coffee and breakfast in bed, I registered how different she looked at me. Not in a bad way, in a good way.
Maya’s been doing this by herself, and there’s been no one to look after her. Which is going to change because she deserves to be seen, heard, and recognised for everything she’s done.
The second I walk through the door, I head to the kitchen to find Ronan, Silas, and JJ in the living room.
“Hey,” I greet them.
Silas groans, and no doubt he’s sporting a hangover. I don’t miss those whatsoever. The headaches, the sickness, the depression. It’s not worth it. Not after spending the night with my daughter. Nothing compares to that. Even if I was woken up at five in the morning.
“Hey,” JJ says. “How was looking after Skye?”
“Good.” I move to flick on the kettle. “You guys go out?”
Ronan nods. “Yeah, Fen’s party.”
“Maya was there.” I draw a mug from the cupboard.
“Yeah, we saw her,” Silas murmurs back.
“Did she look like she had a good time?”
When neither of them responds, I glance over my shoulder to find Silas and Ronan sharing a quick glance. I frown at the exchange.
“What?” I demand.
Silas sighs and drags a hand down his face. “Saw her talking to that new guy on the football team.”
“Who?” I hate the sourness of my voice. It’s bitter, harsh, and completely unneeded.
Why am I asking? I clearly just want to upset myself.
“Alfie,” Ronan says. “They looked a little cosy.”
His words slash through my heart like a knife. I close my eyes, inhale, and turn back to the counter to breathe through this information I really didn’t ask for.
“Yeah, she?—”
“Silas,” I rasp. “Please. I don’t want to know.”
It’ll fucking kill me.
Hell, the jealousy that roars inside my chest is painful. I don’t need to hear any more details for the sake of my sanity. I won’t be able to unhear what they say, and I really don’t need to start spiralling.
