Page 21 of Rockstar Daddy's Second Chance

Sighing, I press my fingers to my temples. How can I explain to him that it isn’t just about the guitar? It’s about everything—about the years he wasn’t there, the battles I fought alone. And now, here he is, sweeping in like a hero without understanding the cost.

I force a faint smile, though it doesn’t reach my eyes. “I know you’re trying to give her the best. And I appreciate that, Cass. I really do. But I’m not used to someone stepping in and making things better, I guess.” There’s a vulnerability in my words that makes me wince. I hope he can see how much I’ve done for Cassidy and how much of myself I’ve poured into raising her alone.

“Thank you, Kendrick,” Cass says quietly, meeting my eyes. “For everything you’ve done for our daughter. It couldn’t have been easy, being a single parent.”

I study him for a long moment, then nod. “We both want what’s best for her, Cass. But that’s— that’s going to require communication and agreement. Something you and I will have to learn as we go.” I glance out the window at the city below,a flicker of something deep and unresolved crossing my face before I can hide it from him.

Cass reaches out and grabs my shoulders, pulling me toward him until my back rests stiffly against his chest. “Kendrick,” he whispers in my ear. “I’m willing to compromise. I’m agreeable to whatever needs to be done. I want my daughter in my life. But I also want you, Kendrick. I’ve never stopped wanting you.”

Feeling my stiffness leave, I rest my full weight against him, allowing him to hold me for a few blissful moments. I shut my eyes and just revel in the feeling of his strong arms around me. I’d almost forgotten how good it felt to have someone to lean on. Someone to… but then I think of all the things standing in our way.

Glancing up at Cass, I state, “Derrick will never accept me. He doesn’t want us in your life.”

Cass twists his lips into a grimace. “He’s just pissed because I called the lab for the results from the paternity test. Let’s just say he was disappointed in the results,” he says with a teasing glint in his eyes.

“Did you have any doubts about her being yours?” I ask him quietly.

I feel his chest expand with a deep breath, then a sigh. “None. I knew she was mine.” He tells me simply, and I can hear the honesty in his voice. I feel a wave of warmth flow through me.

“Mom? Dad? Are you guys done talking?” Cassidy calls hesitantly from the doorway.

Reluctantly, I straighten, pulling away from the comfort of his arms. “Yes, Cassidy. Your father and I are done talking.” But the warmth of his touch remains long into the night.

The next morning, after eating an elegantly prepared breakfast delivered via room service, Cassidy returns to her bedroom while Cass and I remain at the table. Suddenly, the harsh ring from the hotel desk phone startles us. I glance at it in surprise as Cass picks it up. I watch his face curiously as he frowns and then grins.

He states, “Yes, that’s fine. Please send her up.” He hangs up the phone and turns to me with a grimace. “My sister is on her way up.”

Before I can respond, we hear the ding of the elevator, and the doors slide open to reveal a young woman. She’s graceful and petite, with the same striking blue eyes as Cass and long dark hair. There’s an energy to her, a quiet fire I can see crackling under her exterior.

“Emily,” Cass murmurs as he approaches her and gives her a hug. Then he steps back and cocks his eyebrow at her. “This is a surprise. I thought we were all getting together next week at the beach house.”

I watch as Emily rolls her eyes and grins, ignoring her brother’s soft chiding. “You didn’t really expect me to wait that long tomeet my niece and her mother, did you?” She states breezily. “Not a chance!”

Cass shakes his head at her but turns to introduce us. “Kendrick,” he says, his voice warm with affection and a hint of resigned tolerance, “this is my younger sister, Emily.”

I smile as she turns her attention to me, her dark eyes bright with interest, though I don’t miss the assessing look she gives me.

Emily smiles, enveloping me in a hug before I even get a chance to say hello.

“I couldn’t wait to meet you and your daughter,” she says with a wink. “Besides, I love New York. They have the very best spas.”

Cass chuckles, shaking his head. “Emily is—well, she’s not exactly patient.”

“She may have gotten that from you,” I say in a slightly dry voice, earning a laugh from Emily and a grin from Cass as he leans against the doorway, watching us.

Emily’s eyes light up as she sees Cassidy peek around the corner, curiosity etched on her face. She steps forward, arms open. “You must be Cassidy. I’m your Auntie Emily, and I’ve been dying to meet you!”

Cassidy’s face lights up, and she steps forward, allowing herself to be swept up in her aunt’s warm embrace. “Hi,” she says shyly, glancing up at Cass and me with a delighted smile.

Emily pulls back, looking at Cassidy with a sparkle in her eyes. “Look at you—you look like your mom, but you remind me of your dad.” She shakes her head with a grin. “I know this is our first time meeting, but I feel like I know you already.”

Cassidy’s face flushes with excitement. “Really?”

“Absolutely,” Emily replies. “Your dad’s told us all about you, and I couldn’t wait to meet my first niece.” She winks, looking every bit the doting aunt. “So, what do you say we spend some time together? I’ll even tell you a few of your dad’s childhood secrets,” she whispers, casting Cass a teasing look.

Cass chuckles, coming over to wrap an arm around Cassidy’s shoulder. “Better not reveal too much. I’ve got a reputation to uphold,” he says with a warning look in his eyes.

The moment is warm, and something about it wraps around me, making me smile. Watching Cass and his sister, I see parts of him that he keeps hidden away, and it stirs something in me that I can’t quite shake.

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