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I dump the trash in the can and scoot a little closer.
“I know,” another girl says. “How pathetic? Can you believe she actually told people that Scarlett Kincaid was going to be here?”
The girls laugh, and then I hear another voice. “I overheard her tell a group of people that Scarlett and her dad are dating. No way. If I were her, I’d be embarrassed to show my face in front of my friends.”
“You know it’s frowned upon to stalk young girls, right?”
I elbow Scooter in the stomach and then pull him to the side. “I’m not stalking the girls. I’m eavesdropping.”
“On what? Fifth-grade gossip?”
“They were talking shit about Chloe.”
“Bitches,” he hisses dramatically.
Damn it. I hate this shit. Girls are so mean these days. “What do I do?”
“You’re asking me for advice?”
“You’re right. I should talk to Dean.”
“Wait.” He stops me with a hand to my shoulder. “You want my honest opinion?”
“Yes.”
Scooter turns to look at Chloe, and I follow his gaze. She’s splashing around with Jenny and a few other girls, laughing and playing.
“You’ve raised one hell of a girl, Tuck.”
“She is pretty great, isn’t she?”
“She’s more than great. She’s funny, smart, and kind. You did that, Tuck. You raised that awesome girl, and you should be damn proud. I think you should give yourself a pat on the back. You managed to raise an excellent human being all on your own.”
“Not completely on my own. I have you, Dean, and my parents.”
“But you did most of the work. She’s an awesome person, and while I know you probably want to march in there and give those girls a piece of your mind for bad-mouthing your little girl, I think you should thank your lucky stars that she’s not one of them.”
He’s right. “When did you get so deep?”
He shrugs a shoulder. “I have my moments.”
“Thanks, Scooter.”
“Anytime, brother. Now, let’s go finish cleaning up. I’ve got a hot date tonight with one of the moms.”
“Why does that not surprise me?”
“Daisy is finally asleep.” Chloe drops down on the couch beside me.
“You named her?”
“She looks like a Daisy. Uncle Dean said I should’ve named her Cruella.”
I laugh and shake my head. “I think Daisy is perfect.”
“Thanks again for today, it was wonderful.”
“You’ll have to thank Scarlett. She did ninety-nine percent of the work.”
Chloe frowns. “I’m really bummed she couldn’t be here.”
“I know you are. I think Scarlett would’ve been here if she could’ve made it work.”
“When will she be home?”
“I honestly don’t know, Chlo.”
“Can I text her from my phone and say thank you?”
“I think that would be really nice.”
Chloe gets up and walks toward the kitchen, but turns around when I call out to her, “Chloe?”
“Yeah?”
“I’m really proud of you. You’re blossoming into a wonderful person, and I’ve really enjoyed watching you grow.”
“You mean, I’m blossoming into a wonderful woman?”
“Don’t push it. You’re still my little girl.”
She laughs. “Thanks, Dad. I love you.”
“Love you, too, Chloe.”
What a day. I close my eyes and drop my head against the couch. I must have dozed off because I wake up sometime later to the shrill sound of my phone ringing. I rub my eyes and look at the clock. It’s almost two o’clock in the morning. Who would be calling at this time of night?
I grab my phone and see Scarlett’s name flash across the screen. The part of me that misses her like crazy is dying to answer the call and hear her voice. The other part of me, the one that came to a stark realization tonight, hesitates. But I can’t not answer, that isn’t fair to her.
I slide my finger across the screen and answer the call. “Hello?”
“It’s so good to hear your voice,” Scarlett says, sounding out of breath. “I wasn’t sure if you’d answer.”
“I’ll always answer. You, on the other hand…”
“Wait, are you mad at me?”
“Not mad. Frustrated. Did you even check your phone today?”
“I was busy,” she fires back.
“Too busy to send Chloe a happy birthday text, or check in and see how the party was going? Or hell, even to say hi?”
There’s a long pause. I prepare myself for the fight and am caught off guard when she apologizes.
“I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. Today was an absolute shitshow. I had interview after interview. I went from one studio to the next, and then to Madison Square Garden. Before I knew it, I was on stage.”
“It’s two o’clock in the morning.”
“I know. The fans were going crazy, and it felt so good to be up there, Tuck. They kept chanting for more, and I had to give them what they wanted.”
“What about what I want?”
“Huh?”
“Me, Scarlett. Do you ever think about what I want? Do you even know what I want?” I ask, continuing without giving her a chance to respond. “I just want you…here. I want you here with me and Chloe. I want to wake up to your beautiful face every morning and kiss your sweet lips every night when we go to bed. I want holidays and family reunions, and Christmas concerts. I want a kid with your hair, my eyes, and Chloe’s smile.”
