Page 48 of Tattered (Lark Cove 1)

I grinned. Thea was worried that I would disappear and forget Charlie, yet she’d just admitted we’d be talking about Charlie at age ten. On the surface, she might be hesitant. But deep down, I think she knew I’d keep my promise. I’d be here to discuss Charlie’s life when she was ten. And fifteen. And thirty-five. I wasn’t going anywhere.

I’d be around for her entire life, and if Charlie wanted the Olympics, I’d do what I could to make it happen.

The kids were huddled with their coaches on the field and after a team cheer, they were all dismissed. Charlie turned from her team and sprinted toward us.

Her hair bounced behind her as she ran. The smile on her face hit me hard again and I couldn’t stay seated.

I hopped up from the blanket and jogged a few steps forward, holding up my hand for a fist bump as she got close. “You did awesome! That last save was amazing.”

“Thanks.” She tapped her knuckles on mine, her smile still bright, but shied back a few feet. “I heard you a couple of times.”

Oh, shit. Had I embarrassed her? Was that why Thea kept teasing me? Why hadn’t she told me that Charlie wouldn’t like my cheering?

“Sorry. I was too loud, wasn’t I?” I was messing up everything. “I didn’t mean to embarrass you.”

Charlie shrugged. “It’s okay. Katie’s dad yells a lot too, and you weren’t as loud as him.”

I was taking that as a win. At the next game, I’d be sure to tone it down—if I could. I was also going to find Katie’s dad and sit closer so I could make sure I didn’t get any louder than him.

Thea stood up and ran her hand down Charlie’s ponytail. “Good job, honey.”

“Thanks, Mommy. Can we get pizza?”

“Obviously. You were the star of the game! I think it deserves a root beer float too.”

Charlie’s face lit up before she turned to me. “Are you coming?”

“If it’s okay with you.”

“Yeah,” she whispered, smiling at her feet.

A rush of warmth spread over me and I fought the urge to clap again. My second win of the night: a dinner invitation from my daughter.

“Meet us at the bar?” Thea asked as she folded up the blanket.

“Sounds good. I’ll follow you there.”

We loaded up and got into our cars, making our way across town. I chuckled to myself as I drove.

Two days ago, I would have laughed if someone had told me I’d be in a hurry to get to the Lark Cove Bar.

“Here you go.” Jackson slid a round pizza pan onto our table. “The Landry Special with extra cheese for my soccer superstar. And . . .” He set an enormous root beer float in front of her and bent to kiss her forehead. “Good job, Chuck.”

She leaned into his side. “Thanks, Uncle Jackson.”

“You guys need anything else?” he asked Thea.

“We’re good. I’ll get it if we need something. Looks like you’ve got your hands full tonight.”

“Yeah. Busy night.”

He winked at her before leaving to take care of the other patrons.

I didn’t miss the way he squeezed her shoulder as he walked behind her back. Or the glare he shot me from over her head.

The asshole had made it a point to constantly touch Thea and Charlie, like he was marking his territory. When we’d arrived, he’d made a huge show of coming around the bar and scooping Charlie up into his arms. Then he’d given Thea a hug that had lingered on too long before she’d patted his back and stepped away. When we’d ordered beers—Thea had reminded me that it was a law to get beer with pizza—Jackson had put his arms on the back of each of their chairs.

The show was getting old.