Page 15 of Second Chance Baby

Something I’d fought to avoid since we had ended. I’d been afraid to.

Just in case I saw something I had done.

“I closed myself off too. I didn’t fully even realize that until just now.” I cleared my throat as my eyes filled. “I took off on the first job I could find that would take me out of her orbit. I didn’t want to watch her walk out of my life, so I didn’t. By the time I got back, she’d moved out. But I should’ve listened more. Tried longer. If she was scared, if she couldn’t handle what had happened to her physically, we could have gotten her help. Medication like Honey took.” I shoved a hand that shook through my hair. “Taking care of her was my job too. Not just caring for Care Bear.”

He didn’t say anything, proving I was on the right track. Not that I’d known that in my twenties or even in the intervening years. I hadn’t even considered I could hold any of the blame.

Instead, I’d focused on her occasional pre-planned visits with Carrington. I made sure to have them all timed out ahead of time. No spontaneity. And definitely no meetings that were about anything but our little girl.

Our relationship no longer existed, so we just let it go.

Then we’d come together today like a goddamn supernova. How was I supposed to let her go now?

I glanced at my phone, realizing I had to get a move on. It was almost time to pick up Carrington. No time for an impromptu therapy hour with my brother.

“You late?”

“Almost. It’s almost time for school to let out.”

“Go on ahead.” He shifted his feet, his ears pinkening at the tips as he dropped his aviators back into place. “If you need to talk to me, text me any damn time, okay? We can always get some beers at The Spinning Wheel. Can grab Moose too maybe.”

“And Penn,” I added. “He was at the shoot with Brig today. Well, notwithher,” I added hastily. “I’m not sure why he was there, honestly. He was sniping at the romance writer chick.”

Christian rocked on his heels. “Ahh.”

“You know her?”

“Not really. Just had to deal with those two during a signing event at Every Line A Story. I’ve never seen Penn like that.”

“So, they have history?”

“I don’t think so. She’s a nice woman, though. Not sure why our big brother got so bent out of shape around her.”

“Your guess is as good as mine. I don’t know if he had the hots for her or what.”

“Penn?” Christian tipped his aviators down.

“I know. I met over the summer for the first cover shoot with whatever-her-name was.” I waved my hand. “The model I shot her book cover with for the calendar. Lots of drama with these romance authors.”

Christian huffed out a non-committal grunt.

“Why I’m back to do this again. Rita had to change the cover again because the replacement model got mouthy at an author convention. She definitely traded up for this photo shoot. Bridget is a thousand times hotter.” I cleared my throat as Christian started shifting his feet again, muttering something about Penn I couldn’t quite catch. “Just saying as a point of fact.”

“Uh-huh. Got it. Just point of fact.”

“I gotta call Penn. Something was definitely up there,” I said distractedly, fumbling with my phone.

When the hell had I put it on Do Not Disturb? Clearly, it was a good thing I had, considering how the shoot had gone.

Immediately, a flood of texts scrolled down my screen. I couldn’t even catch them all. But the one I zoomed onto right away was Bridget’s.

Before I could think twice, I clicked on it. Sent over a half hour ago already.

Bridget

I need to see Carrington. I’ll pick her up today at St. Agnes and take her for a milkshake or something then I’ll bring her back.

My vision blurred. Words tumbled out of my mouth before I even realized what exactly I was saying—or who I was saying them to. My brother was also a cop. “She’s taking my daughter.”

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