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I’m aware.
Olivia
You feel very bossy tonight.It’s actually kind of hot.
Callan
Good to know.
Olivia
Don’t settle into it too much.You know my moods are all over the place right now.
Callan
Your moods don’t scare me, Ace.I have a knee and I’m more than happy to put you over it.
Holy hell.
I have never wanted to get up close and personal to a knee so much.
Olivia
I think I’m feeling a mood coming on right now.
26
OLIVIA
By the time we arrive at the Catskills, it’s after 11 p.m.We’re both tired and ready to fall into bed, but Callan’s family are still awake and want to spend some time talking.
Callan’s mom insists I sit next to her.Callan smiles at me as he takes the seat across from me next to Bradford.His smile saysI’ve got you, Ace.I’ll get you out of here soon.
I talk with Ingrid for twenty minutes and answer all the questions she has for me.We also talk about my parents’ trip and the fact they’re currently in Perth, which is in a country Ingrid desperately wants to visit one day.
After Callan draws his mother’s attention, I turn to Gage who’s sitting on the other side of me.“Did Luna get to sleep okay?”His daughter has trouble sleeping in new places.
A dark look crosses his face.“She didn’t come.”
“Why not?”
His jaw clenches.“Shayla put a stop to it.”
This surprises me.Gage and his ex have been in a good place for the last year.“What’s happened?I thought you two were good now.”
“We were.Until the asshole she’s with cut in on that.”
“Shit.I’m sorry.Is there anything I can help with?”
“No.I’m handling it.”
The way he says this tells me he’s not treading lightly like he did for so long after they broke up.Gage is one of the best fathers I know and his daughter comes first above everything else in his life.He let Shayla get away with a lot of shit after they broke up.He did that for Luna’s sake.But now, I think any treading lightly is off the table.I think Shayla’s in for a rude awakening.The man she had wrapped around her finger for so long is gone and in his place is this new Gage.
I lean toward him.“Good.I’m glad.”When he looks at me with surprise, I say, “She took you for a ride.I’m glad you’re not allowing that anymore.You have rights as Luna’s father and Shayla needs to remember that.”
“Liv.”Callan draws my attention and I find him standing.“It’s time we put your moody ass to bed.”
His mother looks horrified.“Callan,” she chastises.
