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Way to kill the mood, asshole.
“Sorry, Kyle, the celebrations went longer than we anticipated,” Zoey states as we move closer to the house.
Kyle throws his hands in the air. “I told you I had to go to work tomorrow and that you had to be home at a reasonable hour, Zoey. What part of that did younotunderstand?”
Zoey groans. “It’s only just turned eleven. It’s not that bad, Kyle.”
His eyes intensify with rage. “Maybe so. But what about the fact that when you do finally come home that you are practically making a goddamn fucking porno in the front yard…” spittle flies from his mouth, his wrath now uncontained, “… especially when our kid is inside. Huh?”
Zoey’s face turns bright red, but I will give her the credit she deserves. Zoey steps up, pointing her finger at his chest. “Fuck you, Kyle! I’m living my life for once, and just because you never made me feel like Blake does, doesn’t mean you get to make a scene in front ofmyhouse.”
“You should act like a fucking grown-up…” Kyle continues to yell at Zoey.
But my attention is drawn to the figure standing in the doorway. Hailee is holding onto a teddy bear dressed in her pajamas with tears streaming down her face as she watches her parents blasting into each other like they’re both on steroids. The scene is not something Hailee should be witnessing, so I take off, leaving Zoey and Kyle firmly engaged in World War III in the front yard.
I step up to Hailee, pulling her to me. “Hey, it’s okay,” I tell her.
She slams into my legs and cuddles me so tightly it’s like she’s using me as her lifeline.
The tears stream down her face as she clings to me, and it only makes me angry as I turn back to see Kyle’s starting to ball his fists.
Oh, hell no.
“Hey!” I scream out.
They both stop their yelling and turn to look at me.
“You’re scaring Hailee. Stop this. The both of you. Kyle, thank you for caring for Hailee tonight, but it’s time for you to go home.”
Kyle glares and throws his hands in the air. “Fuck you,Brad.”
Rolling my eyes, he turns, not even saying goodnight to Hailee as he takes off for his pickup. He jumps inside, reverses out, and takes off burning rubber as he speeds down the road.
Zoey exhales long and hard, then rushes over to Hailee and bends down, pulling her close. “I am so sorry you had to hear all that, Starshine. Mommy and Daddy should never fight like that in front of you.”
Hailee sniffles, trying to hold back her tears. “Daddy was so angry when you guys left. The night was horrible, and I spent most of it with Daddy yelling and screaming at me. I am so glad you’re home. Blake, can you stay?”
I glance at Zoey, and she nods. “It’s not a school night, and it’s been a hell of an evening, so yeah, Blake can stay a little longer.”
I lean down and hoist Hailee onto my hip, then carry her inside. She clings to me as I close the door behind us and walk us down to the living room.
“Who wants a cupcake?” Zoey asks.
“But it’s late?” Hailee states.
“I think we can get away with it just this once, don’t you think, Blake?”
I place Hailee on the sofa next to Mr. Muggles and nod. “I think cupcakes are a must right now.”
“Okay…” Hailee wipes the tears from under her eyes. “Blake, thank you for stopping Daddy from getting too mad at Mommy.”
My eyes shift to Zoey, and she sinks in on herself, so I spin around to Hailee. “While I’m here, your dad isn’t going to get mad at you or Mommy, okay? I won’t let him.”
Hailee snuggles into me. “You’re my favorite person, Blake.”
My chest squeezes as I pat her hair down. “You’re my favorite person, too, Starshine.”
Hailee lifts her head and looks at Zoey as she brings the cupcakes. “Mom, can Blake stay for a sleepover? It’s the weekend, so you can make him pancakes for breakfast.”
