Page 71 of Silver Player

Am I the one wrong…about him?

27

Introducing…my daughter.

[Billy]

“Hey,” I greet Sadie who stands just outside Roxanne’s bedroom door. Did she hear us fighting? Did she hear what her aunt said to me? Jesus, Roxie’s words can hurt. I shake my head and turn for the living room where I left my boots, socks, and winter jacket. I don’t bother with the sheets, spread but unused, on the couch, and I also don’t feel like giving Sadie an explanation for walking out of her aunt’s room.

No big deal.

Yeah, right, but this is complicated, and I don’t do complicated. I like carefree and easy. Sleep where I will; fuck who I want.

Only that’s not really how I feel. Not this time. And my eyes look up to find Sadie watching me, and I realize it’s so much more complex than that.

“Fuck,” I mutter, scrubbing two hands down my face and then returning for my boot to snap the shoelace as I tugged too tight.

“She didn’t mean it,” Sadie says, leaning on the corner of the wall marking the start of the hallway. “Whatever she said to upset you, she didn’t mean it.”

I sit up straighter, my brows furrowing as I look at my daughter. If she didn’t hear what Roxanne said, then how does she know what her aunt means?

“I scared her last night. She’s probably taking it out on you. My mother used to do that same thing to Aunt Roxie. She’d be upset with something I did but blame Roxanne for it.”

I nod, but in my mind, this is a little different.

“Yeah, well, Roxie isn’t your mother, and I’m not her sister.” I stand, brushing my hands down my jeans. “I’m your dad.” Her breath hitches as her eyes widen and her forehead wrinkles. “And as you skipped out on Thanksgiving dinner and meeting my family, I’ll be here tomorrow night at five. You’ll be meeting everyone then.”

I’m not allowing any excuses this time. Stepping toward her, I intend to slip past her, but then I stop. “No running away this time.” I reach out for her, cupping her neck and pressing a kiss to her temple, reminding myself I’m grateful she’s safe and home.

I move forward, making my way for the kitchen, noting the sound of the shower as I pass the bathroom. Thank goodness. I can’t face Roxanne.

“Can Aunt Roxie come, too?” Sadie asks. I didn’t hear her following me, and I halt, spinning around to face her as we enter the kitchen.

Presently, I don’t really want Roxie there. Forgive me if I’m in the wrong, but what she said hurts. I meant what I said: she’s breaking me. I had my heart ripped out by Rachel some seventeen years ago, but this…this makes that chest-clenching tightness burrow sharply into my sternum.

“Fine,” I grit.

No big deal. If this is how Roxie wants to play it, I can play. Keep it casual.

“Also, I…uhm…I need to tell you something.” Sadie looks over her shoulder down the hall, listening for the shower before she speaks. “I’m not proud to say this, but…”

My face turns white, and her fingers clutch the back of a kitchen chair.

“Out with it, Sadie.” Her name drones from my lips, echoing through the room. Her eyes close.

“I didn’t steal the money, but I might know who did. He didn’t mean to do it. He was doing it for me.” She pauses. “That sounds wrong. He was just trying to help. I didn’t have the money, and…”

“Christian?” I hiss. Christian Grady? “You are not to see him again.”

“What?” she shrieks. “You can’t tell me who I can and can’t see.”

“Yes, I can because I’m your father.” I hate how I sound like my own father, but my chest puffs.

Sadie remains silent. Her cheeks shade an embarrassed pink color, and as she has no response to my directive, I let myself out.

+ + +

Poor Clyde. He listens to me say fuck about twenty-five times and then curse women of all ages before I settle into telling him what happened.