AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Damon
Driving out to Adeline’s, my gut twists. I’ve had two away games back to back, so I haven’t seen Clover. But this is our new normal, so I might as well get used to it. This is co-parenting now, I guess.
I pull into her driveway and see a sedan already there. Great, she has company, and I don’t even recognize the car. That tight feeling in my chest starts up again, and I swallow the feeling down the same way I have every other time I’ve thought about Adeline the past couple weeks. It only hurts if I let it hurt.
Walking up the sidewalk, I see that she has some Christmas decorations up now—garland on the railing of the front porch and a cartoon Santa character plastered to the storm door. I ring the doorbell, and my nerves set in. How will Adeline react when she sees me? Hell, how will I react?
We never talked about what happened after that dinner. I didn’t go home right away, and from what Bryce said, Adeline came in, packed a suitcase, and left with Clover. Bryce currently isn’t talking to me, but it’s none of her damn business.
Adeline opens the door and gives me a cold smile. That fucking smarts, and the tight feeling in my chest is back.
“She’s almost ready to go. You can come in for a minute. I’ll finish packing her a bag.” She heads upstairs, where Clover must be.
I just want to see my daughter and hold her. I’ve missed her so much. Memories of bringing Clover home from the hospital to here, cooking dinners, the late-night feedings, the pacing back and forth with her in my arms to quiet her down all come rushing back. Adeline would sit on the stairs in her pajamas, watching me as we’d take shifts trying to soothe her.
“That should be it, Adeline.” Henry comes out of the kitchen with a drill and screwdriver in his hands.
I swallow the lump in my throat. What the hell is he doing here?
“Oh, hey, Damon.”
“Henry.” I nod and push my hands into my pockets so they don’t accidentally strangle him.
The doorbell rings, and I move toward the door, but Henry quickly goes over, setting his tools on the front table, and takes a package from a delivery guy. He moves some of the mail on the table and sets down the package, setting the envelopes on top.
Well, she’s moved on fast.
Henry must see something on my face. “It’s not what you think. I came to apologize for some shit I said when she was pregnant, and she asked if I could help her with some childproof locks in the kitchen.”
I shrug, trying to disguise my relief. “I didn’t ask.”
“Although, I have to say you’re the stupidest man on Earth. What more could you possibly want than Adeline? I mean, I get that you can have any pussy you want out there, but Adeline, man.” He shakes his head. “One day you’ll regret losing her.”
“So you just gunning to slide into my place?” I arch an eyebrow.
He chuckles. “No, she doesn’t want me. But one day, she’ll find some lucky son of a bitch she does. And you’ll show up like you did tonight to pick up your daughter, having to confront the lucky bastard who gets to be in Adeline’s bed every night. The guy who gets to hold her and make her feel safe. The guy who gets to love her—and your daughter. And you’ll walk out of the house, have a good weekend with your daughter, and when you drop her off, you’ll go back to your empty big condo or mansion, wishing you could turn back time.” He smacks me on the back. “You’ve got so many people who worship you, but I feel bad for you because to give up Adeline?” He shakes his head again. “You gave up the best thing you ever had.”
“Thanks for the advice,” I say through clenched teeth. It’s taking every bit of control I have not to deck this guy.
Thankfully, Adeline comes down the stairs, so I don’t have to continue this conversation with this idiot any longer. “I’m sorry, Henry. I just had to finish getting Clover’s things together.”
“No problem. I’m going to put these tools back where I found them in the basement. See you, Damon.” He heads downstairs, but I don’t bother saying goodbye to him. Good riddance is more like it.
Adeline hands me the bag. “Here you go. We just put her in the carrier. Do you want the stroller too?”
“No, I bought double of everything.”
She winces. “Sorry, sounds so final,” she admits.
It does. I just figured this way when we switch, it would be easier. “Sorry.”
“Oh no, it’s easier that way, and you have the means, so… good idea.”
I take her hand. She allows me, but it’s dead weight and limp in mine. “No, I meant I’m sorry for what happened. I wish—”
She shakes her head and takes her hand back. “It’s fine, Damon. I romanticized it. I’ll survive, believe me.”
I would love to talk to her, but I’m not sure what I would even say. Even if I tried being with her, I’d only end up hurting her down the road, and that would be so much worse.
