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“Is noon too soon?”
I glance at my watch. Four hours to find a store, get some stuff, shower, and get ready. “I think I can do that,” I say to him.
I can practically hear him smiling. “Perfect. See you then.”
“Bye.” I hang up the phone, grinning like an idiot.
Chapter 10
The Same 'Ol Excuses
Ryan
Ihangupmyphone and it instantly rings again. I push the accept button and grin. “Miss me already?”
“What?”
“What?” That’s not Babs’ voice. I thought she was calling me back. But this is definitely not Babs.
“Ryan, what are you talking about?”
It takes me half a beat to get my mind off Babs and clue into who is talking. “April. Hi.” I run my hand through my damp hair and squint out my bedroom window. “What’s up?”
“I can’t take Livvie today like we’d planned.”
My stomach drops and I press my eyes closed. Stay calm. You can handle this.
“What’s your excuse for missing your visit this time?” I say in a measured tone.
“Something came up.”
I drop my head to my chest and shake my head. “Something came up. You promised to take Livvie to Leavenworth for the weekend, remember? Shopping. Quaint stores. Amazing food. One-on-one time with her mom? She’s been packed for two days and turned down a trip to the lake with a friend to spend the weekend with you.”
April sighs. “What do you want me to tell you? I’m sorry? That I’ll cancel my plans? That Livvie is more important?”
“Actually, yes,” I grind out between clenched teeth. “You made these plans last month when you flaked on her then. If you couldn’t make it, you should’ve told her weeks ago, or rescheduled.”
“Listen, Ryan. I’ve got a life too. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and I don’t want to miss–”
“Don’t spout your crap and your lies to me,” I say, gritting my teeth. “You made a promise to your daughter. But, like every other time, you’ve shirked your responsibilities. Livvie’s the one who suffers. I’m the one who has to piece back her heart when you break it again.”
I don’t wait for her response. I hang up and throw the phone onto the bed. There’s no point in talking anymore. We’ve had this conversation so many times, I’ve practically got it memorized. If April had bailed even one day earlier, Livvie could have gone to her friend’s cabin. As it is, I’m hosting a barbeque with all my friends, and now Livvie will be bored out of her mind for several hours.
My stomach bottoms out and I pull in a startled breath. Babs is coming. Not only is she coming, she is coming early. How am I going to explain Babs to Livvie?
How am I going to explain Livvie to Babs?
I had absolutely no intention of having those two cross paths. Not unless I’m sure Babs will be in my life for more than a week.
I drop onto my bed, plant my elbows onto my knees, and rest my head in my hands. I’ve never introduced Livvie to another woman. April and I separated just after Livvie was born. Aside from my bout in rehab right after our separation, I’ve had full custody of Livvie.
I stare at my carpet, my mind completely blank of any ideas to keep my daughter and my old high school crush apart.
Chapter 11
Anticipation
Carrie
