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“You’re leaving?” I asked, tipping my head to consider him.
“I don’t know when, but I can’t commit to a schedule. I don’t live here. You’re the one who moved across the country, taking my daughter from me.”
I laughed. “That’s funny when you’re the one who moved to Texas, putting this whole thing into motion.” I wasn’t sure if I would have left him if he hadn’t, but I wasn’t the one who moved away first. “I’ll let you know about Saturday. I’m not sure what our plans are.” Or what Delaney wanted. I needed to check in with her first. It was my job to protect her.
I turned to go back into the house without waiting for his response.
“Are you fucking him?” he asked, sounding pissed.
Disgusted by his tone, I said, “That’s none of your business.”
“It is if he’s around my daughter.”
“He’s a good man. A better one than you.” Then I opened the door, shutting him out.
“Everything okay?” Mac asked when he saw my face.
“Uh-huh.” I was shaking. I was proud that I stood up for myself and hadn’t let him turn things around on me.
Mac wrapped an arm around me. “We were just watching a quick show. Is that okay?”
“Yeah, thank you.” I was so grateful he was here for us.
“Do I need to punch him?” he asked, his voice soft so Delaney wouldn’t overhear.
“I handled it. We can talk about it later, after she goes to bed.”
“Do you mind if I take a shower? I brought a change of clothes.”
“Of course not.”
He went outside to grab his bag from his truck, and when I heard the water turn on, I asked, “How was it?” I asked Delaney again, knowing she might be more honest when her father wasn’t in the room.
She grimaced. “It was okay. It was a little weird.”
“Why’s that?”
“He was gone for so long, and now he’s back.”
“That is a hard adjustment.”
Her nose scrunched. “It’s confusing.”
“I’m sorry. But whatever you’re feeling is perfectly normal. Do you want to see him again?”
She shrugged. “I should, right?”
“We’ll do whatever you want to do.”
“Can I think about it?” Delaney asked.
I put my arm around her and pulled her in to my side. “Of course, you can.”
I rested my cheek on her head, reveling in the feel of her in my arms. She rarely let me cuddle with her like this anymore. She was getting older, and soon, she wouldn’t want to spend time with me.
Carter was missing out, but he’d made his choices.
CHAPTER20
