Page 15 of Daddies' Little Troublemaker

“Yep.”

My fiancé. My half-sister.

Behind my back, for six months.

And although I don’t tell this part to Dad, Mom had taken Chloe’s side, which just…it might have been the worst part. I know Chloe is the favorite because she’s my mom and stepdad’s daughter. Two years older, I had the “bad dad,” the guy Mom hated, and I inherited his bright blue eyes and lopsided smile. On the best days, Mom could barely stand to look at me. On the worst, she wouldn’t even speak to me. I could do nothing right.

Once I got older and graduated high school, then college, then got a job, it seemed like she wanted a relationship. Things were better. I met Troy halfway through college, and after we graduated, we got engaged.

I’m pretty sure he and Chloe hooked up right after our engagement dinner.

Dad isn’t very good about hiding his anger, and his outrage right now is evident in his reddening cheeks and narrowed eyes. He rakes a hand through his hair like he always does when he gets aggravated.

Somehow, his indignation makes me feel better. I don’t know why it works, it just does.

“Pumpkin, that piece of shit boy is worthless, and I know it hurts, but I’m glad you’re rid of him now, before you legally tied yourself to him. As for your sister, well.” He sighs, shakes his head. “I’m glad she’s no daughter of mine.”

It’s probably the worst thing he’ll say out loud about my mom’s family, but it holds weight.

“Thanks, Dad.” I reach out and squeeze his hand. This is the support I didn’t know I needed, the unconditional acceptance I’d thought I had in Troy after being starved of it while growing up in Mom and Harold’s house. To think I threw it all away because I was mad about a bedroom? Damn, I was stupid.

He gives me a smile, and it turns into a wince. This is his “bad news” look.

“What?” I ask.

“After hearing all you’re going through, I feel really bad about leaving.”

“Leaving?”

“Yeah. I’m sorry, Pumpkin. I have work in Japan for the next five months.”

“What?” Disappointment weighs on me. I’d thought we could start repairing our relationship.

“Yeah, I’m sorry. I’m already trying to shorten the trip, but the soonest I can get out of there is probably three months.”

I swallow hard past the lump in my throat. “Yeah. Um, it’s fine.”

“I know the timing isn’t good. I agreed to the job before I knew you needed to come back home, and there aren’t many back-ups in my field, as you know.”

“Yeah, I know.”

“Bright side, though, is neither you nor your uncle will need to sleep in the guest room when he comes. He can take my room.”

“Uncle Lincoln is coming?”

“He is,” Dad says. “I thought I told you. He travels around for work and sleeps here every few weeks.”

Not only do I not get to hang out with my dad, but I’ll be sharing his place with a virtual stranger from time to time.

“He’ll stay out of your way, I promise,” Dad says. “He just uses this place to crash. He barely comes home for dinner most nights—he has an active social life. He’s younger than me, and still likes to get out there.”

I remember the receipt I found in my room and I immediately try to wipe it from my memory.

“I’ll be busy job hunting, anyway,” I say, trying to infuse cheer into my voice. “Lots to do, to get back on my feet.”

“Look,” he says, “I know you’re eager to get back out there, but don’t rush it, okay? If even for a week, just try to rest and heal your heart. I’ll leave my credit card for food and whatever else you need, and you can buy all the rocky road ice cream you want.”

I’m not sure how much healing I’ll be able to do when I’m trying to stay out of my step-uncle’s way, but Dad’s offering me the gift of a free place to stay, and food to eat, and this kick-ass pool that I fully plan on taking advantage of.

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