Page 8 of Doc's Decision

He settles after a few minutes, his big eyes staring up at me with trust as I carefully wash his hair.

“Your mother’s missing out on all this, Kash,” I tell him softly. “She’s missing out on watching you grow, on seeing you smile and laugh . . . but don’t you worry, little man. Daddy has got you.”

I can’t help myself.

I lean down and press a soft kiss on his forehead.

His skin is so warm and smooth against my lips.

By the time he’s clean and swaddled in a fresh diaper and onesie, his little eyelids are drooping, and the energy drain from his earlier tantrum is evident.

I cradle him in my arms, his small body fitting perfectly against my chest, his soft sighs echoing in the quiet room.

“Time for bed, champ,” I whisper, tucking him into the portable crib that’s been set up in the corner of my room.

It ain’t much, but it’s home for now.

I take a minute to watch him sleep, my heart clenching with a fierce protectiveness that’s entirely new to me.

This little guy is mine, all mine, and God help anyone who tries to hurt him.

CHAPTER TWO

Mandy

I take a swig of beer, letting the sharp, cold liquid slide down my throat.

Across the table, the girls are laughing about some shit.

The tangy scent of barbecue sauce wafts over from a nearby table.

“God, this place reminds me of Texas,” Harlow says, her eyes sparkling with amusement. “The pork ribs are to die for.”

I nod, tearing into a piece of cornbread. “I haven’t had barbecue this good in ages. Figured we needed some proper grub for your visit.”

Zoe snorts. “More like you just didn’t want to cook.”

We all bust up laughing at that.

She knows me too well.

Cooking is not exactly my forte—I’d much rather be in front of the camera, getting filthy with my girl Zoe while Spark watches.

But that’s a whole other story.

Growing up in a shitty town with an even shittier stepdad, laughter was in short supply.

He was a real piece of work—a degenerate gambler who made my life hell.

But somehow, through all the bullshit, Harlow and I managed to keep our friendship intact.

She was the one bright spot in an otherwise craptastic childhood.

My phone buzzes in my pocket, and I fish it out.

A text from Doc pops up on the screen:

Hey, darlin’. Is there any chance you can watch Kash a bit later? Got some errands to run.

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