Page 139 of A Major Puck Up

I laugh. “Promise.”

The door swings open, and Gavin appears, attention focused straight ahead. “Peaches, I’m home! We have an hour before Beck drops the kids off, so you better strip and—” He turns in our direction, and his jaw drops open.

“I’m going to pretend I didn’t hear that.” Lake laughs and covers her eyes. “Millie, seriously, I think you should record the song. But if you decide to sell, I want it.” She lifts her palm from her face and turns to Gavin. “My lips are sealed, but get in front of this.”

I grasp her wrist, heart pounding and knees suddenly shaking. “Is he ever going to forgive us?”

The smile Lake gives me is kind and understanding. “If anyone understands that you can’t help who you fall in love with, it’s Ford. But knowing you kept this from him is what will really hurt. Just be honest with him. He’ll come around.”

I throw my arms around her. “Thank you,” I whisper.

For being so understanding. For being kind when I wasn’t. But most of all, for loving my dad. Because she’s right. If there’s anyone who gets it, it’s them. I just hope my dad remembers what it was like to be judged by the people around him and that he’s a hell of a lot more understanding than I was.

FIFTY

GAVIN

“Why is there a robot in the refrigerator?” With the door still open, I spin and take in all the children in the room. Vivi is in her highchair, and Winnie is helping Millie feed her a little container full of disgusting pureed food that I stupidly tried just like the damn formula.

Babies must not have taste buds, because Vivi is smiling and gobbling it up every time Winnie flies the airplane straight at her mouth.

“Don’t touch Hector!” Finn jumps up and runs toward me, ready to defend his toy.

I narrow my eyes at him. “Robots don’t belong in fridges.”

Finn grins. “That’s where you’re wrong. Auntie Dylan told me the universe didn’t want me to have orange soda every night after dinner, and Bossman told me it’s going to rot my teeth. So Mommy said I can only have one orange soda a month, but she won’t pay for it.”

Lips pressed together, I tilt my head, waiting for the story to make sense.

He lets out a loud sigh. “So I saved all my allowance, and then Man Bun brought me to the store and gots me the soda with his money.”

I chuckle. “Good moves, little man, but what does that have to do with the robot?”

Finn whips around and throws his arm out, pointing at Winnie. “Because she didn’t get the memo that it’s my soda, and she drank one. The robot is protecting this one.”

Winnie heaves out a weary sigh. “I’m not going to touch your ducking soda.”

Finn sucks in a shocked breath, his eyes going wide. “I’m telling Bossman on you!”

“I said duck!” she screams.

Vivi lets out a little screech of excitement, and then she opens her mouth, and out pops the most adorable sound. “Duck! Duck! Duck!”

Millie straightens and locks eyes with me from across the room, and for a moment, we’re both silent.

Did my daughter really just say her first word?

And was it really a watered-down version of fuck?

With the back of her hand pressed to her mouth, Millie tries to hold it in, but the cutest snort slips out, and then I can’t help but laugh.

“Uncle Gav.” Finn pulls on my shirt to get my attention.

Bowing my head, I ruffle his hair and give him the hold on a minute finger, my feet already leading me to my little girl.

Vivi smiles at me as I approach, orange goo dripping from her lips. I scoop her up out of her chair and laugh. “Did you just say your first word, Vivi girl?”

She smiles. “Duck. Duck. Duck.” She enunciates the ck over and over, so damn proud of herself.

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