Page 10 of Shattered Dreams

“No, it’s fine, I—”

“That wasn’t a question, Paul,” he says sternly, and I sigh, knowing it’s best not to argue with him when he’s got that tone.

“Fine,” I grumble as I turn on my signal and get off at the exit, pulling into the nearest parking lot. Wordlessly, I get out and stretch my legs as Dre does the same; stretching his arms above his head. His shirt rides up just enough to show off his hips and his defined muscles. I move around him, heading for the passenger side. I get in, buckle up, and get comfortable. The seat is warm from his body, and it relaxes me like a cozy fire. The door shuts, and a moment later, the Jeep starts back up, and I steal a glance at Dre; his dark hair is messy, but also kind of cute. He looks like a leading man in a rom-com, and I can’t help but grin.

“What?” he asks, putting the car in gear and heading back out on the road to the exit on the highway.

“Your hair is a mess,” I say, my eyes getting heavy.

Dre smirks, running a hand through it.

“Fuck you.”

I chuckle as I close my eyes.

“We need to swing by Amelia’s before your place. Gotta get—”

“Maddox. I know,” he says. I feel his warm palm on my thigh, and it’s like every muscle in my body turns to Jell-O. “I’ll wake you before we get there.”

And as Andre squeezes my thigh, his palm warm and comforting beyond measure, I don’t fight the darkness as it pulls me under.

Chapter Five

Andre

It only took a full day for Rylee to forgive me for leaving. Usually it’s three. I don’t know if this is a good thing or not. I don’t know if I’m ruining my kid and teaching her to accept things she doesn’t want, but I don’t have any other trips planned for the future, so things really can be okay now.

She accepted Bacon J. Ham’s new friend and named the cow Straw Berry. Two words, first and last name. I love how creative and sweet she is. She loves those animals like they’re her own little babies.

The week goes fine, and we settle into our routine of filling the day with things to do around meal times because my mother is strict on meals.

I don’t have a job—well, that’s not entirely true. I do have a job if I decide to go back after my leave is up and renew my contract. But if I don’t go back, I don’t know what happens next.

I’ve never had this much time to myself or with Rylee. It’s hard to fill it with meaningful stuff because I won’t shove her in front of a TV and I limit the amount of time she can be on her tablet.

I take her to the park every day so she can let off some energy, we work on the workbooks I got her to help prep her for school, and each night, she picks a movie for the four of us to watch as a family before we wind down and I put her to bed.

But today is Saturday, and we have special plans.

“Wow,” I say when Rylee comes out of her room dressed in a frilly pink dress and sparkly shoes. Her hair is pulled up in a high ponytail, courtesy of my mother, that falls down over her shoulder in tight curls. My mother walks out after her with a satisfied look on her face.

“Do I look beautiful, Daddy?”

“Of course you do, pumpkin.” I kneel in front of her, tugging on a strand of hair. “You look way too grown-up.”

She laughs. “I need to look pretty so we can get a house.”

I huff a laugh. “It definitely doesn’t work that way, pumpkin. Besides, you should look pretty because you want to. Definitely not for other people.”

“I do want to. That’s why I did it. Duh.” She rolls her eyes, and I look up at my mother, who gives me a that’s your kid look.

“Well, if you’re ready, we can get going.”

“I am,” she says, and heads toward the door.

“Wish me luck,” I mutter.

“For the house or her?” My mother smirks.