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Morrison has been quiet other than talking about Marisa. Those two have bonded, and I am not sure how I feel about it. I try to keep my personal feelings separate from his relationship with my daughter.
It stings, though. He won’t even kiss me. For a man who had to have me any way he could get me the night we met, now he doesn’t offer more than a quick hug in passing. Does my past turn him off that bad?
Of course, in the grand scheme of things, none of that matters. I have my daughter, a job, and now my very first place, all on my own.
Checks and balances—my scales are all even. For the first time in my life, no one owns me. For the first time in my adult life, I can say with confidence I owe no one.
It feels good.
Chapter Seventeen
I stand in the doorway of the room originally intended for Momma and then occupied by Hailey and Marisa. I hate seeing it empty, though for a while it couldn’t have been more perfect . . . for her and that little chick. Not even gonna lie to myself: Their leaving is the second hardest thing I’ve ever had to deal with.
Hailey was strong when I met her—fierce, actually. Never in a million years would I have thought she felt like that fuck really owned her. Given what she went through, I understand she needed to build a wall. I wanted that wall strong, and not only for her.
The little one needs her momma strong, fierce, and independent, and she is seeing that now, no doubt about it. She even told me “Mommy is happy all the time now” on Wednesday night, my night with her. Those nights, I take her out of the nest, so to speak, and we have dinner.
Hailey’s new nest. The original nest—the home in which my family embraced both my girls—was great for the two of them. And for us, too. I’m sad to see that time end.
However, now little chick and I have our one-on-one Wednesday date night, and fuck if she doesn’t have me opening doors and shit. It’s the first time in my life that I’ve wined and dined someone who actually tugs at the hardened Caldwell heartstrings. Okay, so it was chicken tenders, fries, and milk shakes, but dammit, it was a step.
Someday soon, I am gonna give that to little momma Hailey.
“You okay?” Hendrix asks from behind me.
“Monday nights, I want the bar,” I tell Hendrix, looking over my shoulder.
“For?”
“Cards, man. I need that. I also need a couple nights at the bar.”
“I’m down with that. Livi gets pissed when she trains someone and then they get caught fucking up, so she insists on being there a couple nights. I’d like her little ass at home more often, though. Weekends are getting busy as hell, too, if you can work then. Sally, me, Livi, and sometimes Jagger can hardly keep up. You want—”
“I’ll help out wherever, but I have a few plans of my own.”
“Atlantic City? Reno?”
“Nah, man, I’m here for good. I left Aces in Vegas, retired his ass. I’ll sell my place in Atlantic City, too. Now I want something else. I appreciate the job, and I know it’s only for three or four hours on Friday and Saturday when you get overwhelmed. I have no intention of taking money out of your pocket.”
“You just said yourself that you know I need the help. It’s cheaper to pay you than one of those fucks that wants to steal me blind.”
“For now, I will take it.”
“‘Earn’ it, man. It’s not ‘taking’ shit.”
“Cool. I’ll gladly step in even when I’ve sorted my shit.”
“You wanna fill me in on your plans?”
“Not yet. Still need to see what’s coming in before I make the move.”
“You free tonight?” Hendrix asks from my doorway.
“Sure, what’s up?”
“Married Livi two months ago today. I was gonna go eat dinner at the bar, but I’d rather eat it in bed. You mind going down and helping close up later?”
“Who’s working?”
“Does it matter?” he asks.
“Thursday night: Hailey’s working,” I state, and he nods. “Sure, I can handle it.”
“Mail came today with something from an insurance company, and something from Vegas police?”
“No shit?”
I walk over and grab the envelopes off the counter, then go to my room, where I open up the one from the Vegas police first. Apparently, Monte is pleading not guilty. I have no clue how the idiot thinks he can pull that off. It makes me laugh out loud, until I read the part about me being called to testify against him.
Now little momma is gonna find out, and I know she will be pissed. I have to tell her sooner rather than later. I have a few weeks, though. Three, to be exact.
