Page 93 of The Foul Out

“Okay, we can fix this. Just take a deep breath.”

“So you will bring me some?” She sniffed again, but it was followed but a long inhale.

“Sure.”

Before I could say anything else, she hung up. Her faith in my ability to fix this situation without any more information was remarkable. But luckily, I knew where her father lived. Sighing, I ran a hand over my face. I couldn’t imagine this would go well, but I’d do anything for Piper. So with a set of headphones tucked under my arm, I ordered an Uber. Cam was off tonight, and I didn’t want to take the time to schedule a car using the Revs car service.

Twenty minutes later, the car was pulling up in front of the building. I had no issues getting past the doorman, and it only took a minute to find the correct apartment. With a knock, I inhaled deeply and waited. This could go a lot of ways, so I’d be prepared for all of them.

When the door swung open, I held up the box.

He stood in the doorway, taking me in from head to toe. “She said it was okay to let her call you.”

I nodded. “Always.”

“Come in.” He stepped back and waved me into the apartment.

As I stepped into the entryway, I tried really hard not to be irritated, because his apartment was bigger than Harper’s, yet she was paying him alimony.

But that wasn’t my business or my fight.

Instead, I went to the reason I was here. It took me five minutes to get Piper settled and happy with her headphones. Then I spent another five helping Sam with a section of the Lego set he was working on. Finally, I moved back to address their dad.

“I’ll get out of your way and let you enjoy your time.”

“Actually.” He swallowed. “I could use some more help.”

I froze.

“Clearly, you get this, and I don’t. So I’m asking, man to man, can you help me figure out how to help her feel comfortable here?”

A small part of me wanted to leave him to fend for himself. But the bigger part of me remembered being a kid and desperately wanting my dad to be there, to show up, to show interest. To care. “Absolutely, man.”

He opened his fridge and pulled out two bottles. “Want a beer while we talk?”

I nodded, because now that he’d asked for help with Piper, I had so much to say.

Kyle: You make it home safe?

Me: On my way now.

Kyle: Have fun?

Me: So much. The guys have such great women.

Kyle: They really do.

Kyle: But listen, I need to tell you something.

Me: That sounds ominous.

Kyle: It’s not that deep. But Pipe called me tonight and asked me to come over. So I did and I talked to Jace some. I’m sure you’ll hear about it from the kids.

Me: Was she okay? Why didn’t she call me?

Kyle: She was fine. She just needed a set of headphones.

Me: So was that weird?

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