Page 14 of Punish Me

“What a surprise,” I say, standing and glaring at her mother over her head while trying to maintain a smile on my lips.

“Mom has to work, so you’re in charge,” Cee-Cee says, plopping down on the couch.

“Oh, I am, am I?” I ask, walking to Cee-Cee.

I ruffle her mass of curls before kissing the top of her mop of curls as Lyndsey breezes through.

“I’m sorry, Ambrose, it couldn’t be helped. Phil McIntyre has a three-year endorsement deal offered by On 10 Fitness. Before Phil signs, I need to fly to Summer Cove, North Carolina, to meet with their owner, Bishop Lexington, and his executive team.”

“Honey, can you go grab you and me some snacks while Mom and I chat?” I ask thirteen-year-old Cee-Cee, handing her my card.

“Argue, you mean?” she asks, taking my card and slinking towards the door.

“We’re not going to argue,” Lyndsey lies.

“Sure, Mom, like you and Greg, don’t argue, or you and Colt don’t argue?” Cee-Cee says, smirking as she walks out of the door, slamming it behind her.

I wait until after the door closes to walk closer to Lyndsey so no one can hear me.

“What the fuck do you think you’re doing?”

“Working.”

“Try that on someone else, Lyndsey. I’m tired of your bullshit. If you don’t have time for her or don’t want her anymore, just say that!”

“I won’t relinquish custody of my daughter to you! It’s bad enough that we have joint custody!”

“Bad enough? I’m the best thing that’s ever happened to Cee-Cee or you. Too bad you never realized it.”

“Is that what this is about? You’re missing me?” she says cheekily, crossing her arms.

“No. This is about you not respecting my time, schedule, or business. We have a custody arrangement in place for a reason, and I often take care of our daughter on your days. I can’t keep on moving like this, Lyndsey. I’m in a different place now with more responsibilities.”

“Are you saying that taking care of your daughter is too much for you?” she hisses through clenched teeth.

“No. I’m saying I’m sick and tired of your bullshit and taking on your responsibilities because you enjoy chasing young athletes around the country to slide your way into their bed.”

She steps closer and pats my cheek, and I grab her hand, tightening my grip on her wrist. “Jealousy doesn’t become you at all, Ambrose.”

“I need you to be a more responsible mother, Lyndsey! Cee-Cee told me that Garrett Rhodes and Van Lyons spent the night at your house. You know what she said? ‘Mom has all the coolest friends, Dad. They get to spend the night with us, too!’ Whythe fuck does my thirteen-year-old daughter think it’s okay that different men are parading in and out of her home?”

“What I do in my personal time is none of your business, Ambrose! You left the marriage! You divorced me, not the other way around, so you don’t get to say anything about who I spend my free time with.”

“That’s the problem. It’s not yourfreetime. It’s time that you should be spending with our daughter. It would be different if there was one steady person you were exposing her to.”

“Maybe if you were more worried about your personal life the way you are mine, you would have one.”

My fists clench at my side as I work hard to control my temper. My daughter is my world, and I want nothing more than to protect her from Lyndsey’s whorish, manipulative ways, but she has me in a box where Cee-Cee’s concerned. She always uses my love against me, and there’s not much I can do about that. If she needs me, I’m right there.

“This is the last time that you pull this off, Lyndsey. The next time, I’m returning to court and pursuing full custody.”

“You wouldn’t dare,” she hisses at me.

“Just try me,” I snarl.

She jerks away and walks towards the door. “I’ll be back next weekend.”

I close my eyes as she jerks the door open, only to hear the voice that now haunts my dreams.

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