Page 53 of Charger

There it is, the question no kid should ever ask their parent. I hate how that question sounds coming from her. It makes me feel ashamed. “It’s complicated, kid. I wasn’t thinking clearly, but that was a long time ago. I’m sorry for not being there for you and your mom.” I’m actually getting choked up. Jesus.

“Are you going to stay?”

“Yeah, kid, I’m going to stay.”

“Yay! Let’s go. I want to show you my room.” She flies off the couch again but this time, I hold out my arms. Ready (unlike last time) to catch her. She falls right into my embrace, and I set her down. The kid weighs about nothing.

She takes hold of my hand, trying her best to drag me with her. Jules’s bedroom door is open. I catch a glimpse of the paintings and drawings along her wall. I’m glad she is still involved with art in some way.

Chloe waves her tiny hand at the small plastic chair sitting in front of the equally small plastic table. “Uh, I don’t think so, kid.”

She looks back and forth, her eyes darting between me and the chair. “Okay, you sit on the floor. We’re having a tea party!”

She hands me the small toy cup and pours the invisible tea into it. Here I am, sitting cross-legged on a pink fluffy rug and drinking invisible tea with my daughter. But for some reason, it’s exactly where I want to be.

TWENTY-ONE

Jules

The bar was complete chaos. Between three people calling off and the cooks being down to one person, it was a challenge. But we made it, and I was able to finally escape. Hoping that Zach did okay with Chloe was on my mind all night.

I set my keys down on the entryway table and look around at the empty living area. I walk a few more steps to Chloe’s room. But I don’t think anything could prepare me for this. A wave of heaviness sits on my chest, but it’s anything but negative. There Chloe is, her small body sprawled across Zach’s broad, much larger chest. He has his right hand resting on her back while they sleep, both spread out on the floor. So peaceful, so quiet. The warmness in my heart is unexplainable.

A chuckle escapes me when I notice Zach is wearing one of Chloe’s princess necklaces. He startles awake and glances down at Chloe before moving. He sees me in the doorway, nodding his head in acknowledgment. He positions himself upright—Chloe still a bundle of dead weight on top of him—before transitioning her from his chest into his arms. He then gently places her in the bed, moving the covers over and around her. He takes a second before he leans in and kisses her forehead, princess necklace dangling and all.

My ovaries just exploded. Zach was irresistible before. But Zach as a daddy… Dear God.

My feet are still planted to the floor when he approaches me. After a gentle closing of her door, he yawns. “Didn’t realize what time it was.” When he runs a hand over the slight facial hair along his chin, his bicep flexes.

I look down at the necklace, trying to stifle another laugh. “That is the cutest thing I have ever seen. I didn’t know you liked the color pink.”

He takes the costume jewelry up and over his head, placing it down on the entryway table. “Ha, yeah, well, I couldn’t say no.”

“She has that effect on people.”

“Yeah, she does.” We share a moment before Zach heads toward the door. “Well, I guess I’ll go then.”

Don’t go. “Um, did you want to stay for a drink?”

He pauses with his hand resting on the doorknob. “A drink would be nice.”

“Okay, great!” A little too enthusiastic, Jules.

After grabbing a cold beer from the fridge, I pop it open before handing it to him. It’s like I’m watching in slow motion, as his throat bobs and the liquid slides down. I run my tongue over my lips, feeling my cheeks getting warm. I step away and pour myself a small glass of wine. To fill the silence, I turn on “Surrender” by Natalie Taylor, making sure it’s low enough so as to not wake Chloe.

With the soft sounds of the song in the background, Zach has his eyes set on me. “She’s pretty great. Just like her mom.” Sadness fills his eyes. I know he still feels guilty. Guilty because of what happened and why he left.

“Thanks, she is pretty amazing.” When I go to sit on the sofa, I gesture for Zach to do the same. With a head nod, he sits down next to me, our knees touching.

“Oh, here.” He pulls something out of his pocket. Taking my hand in his, he uncurls my fingers and places what looks like a necklace into my palm. My heart thumps a little harder. “Chloe said I should give it to you. Well, again.” He shifts in place.

I swallow back a rush of emotions. “You wrapped it in a lunch bag. I thought it was adorable.” He lets out a sexy, deep but quick laugh. “I haven’t worn it in a long time.”

“Well, maybe if I wasn’t such an asshole, you would have kept wearing it.”

My eyebrows twitch.

“I mean, you’re not wrong. But the past is the past and if you’re going to be here for Chloe, then we need to move on, right?” I smile. But my mind shifts to Garrett. “I miss him so much, Zach.” Looking at the necklace, I then close my eyes. “I wish time could go back, so that I could stop myself from running out of that gym.” I fist my hands, sagging my head in defeat.

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