Page 113 of A Major Puck Up

Guess that’s a no.

“What are you talking about?”

“Lake said she saw a picture online of Millie sitting on Camden Snow’s lap.”

The fuck? Could this night get any worse?

I keep my tone calm, even as my anger spikes. “Why are you calling me?”

“Because you’re supposed to be watching over her.”

“No, Ford. She’s supposed to be watching my child.” I peer down at my baby girl who’s gumming her towel, happy again. “The child I’m currently bathing because she just shit all over me and probably the table at the restaurant we just left.”

“Oh shit.” Ford coughs out a laugh.

“Literally. So how about I worry about my baby, and you can figure out yours?”

“Yeah. Um, sorry. That guy?—”

“Hit on Lake. I know. You got jealous. I remember the night very well. It feels fucked-up that he’s now hanging out with your daughter, but I seriously can’t wrap my head around this shit right now because, once again, I was covered in literal shit ten minutes ago, and I’m still trying to come to terms with it.”

“I’m sorry, Gav. I’ll let you go.”

I sigh. I don’t mean to take my frustrations out on him. “It’s fine. She said she was going out with Daniel, so for what it’s worth, I’m sure he’s watching out for her. And I’ve told the guys she’s off-limits.”

“You’re the best.”

Gritting my teeth, I squeeze my eyes shut. He wouldn’t think that if he knew that the reason she’s off-limits to them is because she belongs to me. Even if I can’t have her.

THIRTY-EIGHT

MILLIE

I check the time on my phone for the fifth time in the last two minutes. Have I waited long enough? I don’t want to chance another run-in with miserable Gavin, but I want to be there in case Vivi wakes up. I missed her tonight.

Since dinner ended two hours ago, I’ve been sitting in the corner of the lobby, typing out fragments of lyrics into my phone. My brother and Camden tried to convince me to come out for a drink with them—risky, since they have a game tomorrow and they have an early curfew—but I wasn’t interested.

And since I also had no interest in being glared at, I avoided our hotel room in hopes that Gavin would be asleep when I returned.

It’s after eleven now. With the early morning he has, I’m sure Gavin is hiding in the bedroom, and I’ll be able to quickly change and settle on the couch until Vivi decides she wants her middle-of-the-night bottle.

The sound of the lock clicking is loud in the dim, silent hall. I push the door open and blink at the light from the lamp in the corner. Gavin is perched there, with his attention fixed on his phone. Vivi is fast asleep in her Pack ’n’ Play beside him.

Confused, I skirt the pull-out couch and peek in on her. Chubby fingers grip her binky loosely, and her face is relaxed as her chest rises and falls steadily.

I peer over at Gavin. “What are you doing?” I whisper.

He still doesn’t look up from his phone. “Enjoy dinner with your brother?”

“Yeah, it was fine.”

“Was it just the two of you?” He finally lifts his chin and locks those dark eyes on me.

For a moment, I forget how to breathe, and I drop a knee to the edge of the bed to keep from wobbling. Gavin’s eyes don’t warm as they meet mine, but I can’t stop my perusal of him. He’s in a Bolts T-shirt, and his brown hair is mussed. His eyes widen as if he’s waiting for me to answer him, but I’ve forgotten his question.

“Um, what?”

As I move to sit on the bed, he holds up his hand. “I’m staying out here with Vivi. Take the bed.”

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