Page 117 of How to Love a Rockstar

He nods to my phone.

“I answered one call.”

He crosses his arms over his chest and those arm muscles bulge with the movement. I never knew you had to be fit to be a bass player before. Now, I’m well aware. Oh, so aware.

“And?”

My gaze flies from his chest to his face. “And what?”

“You not only answered a call, you agreed to work when you get home.”

“I don’t understand why this concerns you.”

He nods to Isla who’s laughing hysterically as she runs away from Gibson and Jett who are chasing after her. “You need to be there for your daughter.”

I seethe. How dare he? Who does he think he is? I’m Isla’s mom. I’ve been there for her – by myself – since day one. “Are you questioning my parental skills?”

He cocks an eyebrow.

“How dare you?” I stab him in the chest with a finger. Ouch! I pull my hand away and rub my finger. “How dare you? You’ve known Isla for a hot minute. You don’t know anything about being a parent. About staying up all night with your little girl when she has a fever. About worrying yourself sick when she’s nervous to start a new school.”

“I—”

I hold up a hand. “I don’t want to hear it. I’ll make sure Isla leaves you alone from here on out.”

As I march away, I’m seething. I wouldn’t be surprised if there was hot air coming out of my ears. Who the hell does Fender Hays think he is? Telling me how to raise my daughter?

Asshole. This is why I’ve sworn off men. They’re all a bunch of assholes.

Chapter 36

The end – only the beginning

Several months later

Dylan

Iwatch Ginny pace the living room for a few minutes before I sigh and stand to go to her. I wrap my arms around her. “Stop.”

“Stop? Stop what?”

“Pacing around the living room like you’re Harry and it’s eight in the evening and we haven’t let him out to do the zoomies yet.”

“I do not have the zoomies.”

“I didn’t say you did.”

“It sounded as—” She freezes. “Did I hear a car door? I think I heard a car door.”

She runs to the front door and flings it open. “They’re here. Oh god. They’re here.” She clutches her chest. “What if they hate me? What if they realize I’m not good enough for you?”

I haul her near. “My family doesn’t hate you. You’ve met them on Zoom calls and they loved you. And if there’s anyone who’s not good enough for anyone it’s me of you.”

She snorts. “Says the rockstar to the little librarian.”

I rub my nose along hers. “I love my little librarian.”

“Mom! They’re making out.”

---