Page 43 of Rockstar Daddy's Second Chance

We spend the next couple of hours passing the notebook back and forth, bouncing ideas off each other. Cassidy hums a melody, and I pick up on it, building on the tune until it starts to sound like something real, something worth holding onto. Kendrick adds in a line here and there, her voice blending with mine in a way that feels effortless, like we’re picking up right where we left off all those years ago.

At one point, Kendrick suggests a refrain, something simple but powerful, and when I try it out, it’s like everything clicks into place. The melody, the words, the rhythm—it all flows together, and I can feel the excitement building in me, the thrill of creating something new, something that’s truly ours.

“That’s it,” I say, looking up at them. “That’s the heart of it, right there. This song… it’s good—great even.”

Kendrick smiles, her eyes soft, and she nods. “Yeah. It is.”

Cassidy beams, clearly thrilled to be a part of it, and I realize how much this means to her, to be included in something that’s such a big part of who I am. This isn’t just a song—it’s another precious memory, a moment that we’re creating together, something that we’ll carry with us long after this day is over.

As the sun begins to dip lower in the sky, casting a warm glow over the boat, a sense of peace settles over me. I’ve spent so much of my life chasing after something—fame, success, validation—but here, with Kendrick and Cassidy, I feel like I’ve finally found what I was looking for. I am ready to let go of everything else and just be here, fully present, with them.

We head back to shore as the sun begins to set, the sky reflecting hues of pink and orange.

“That was so much fun! I can’t believe the fish we caught.” Cassidy chatters away about learning to fish and the memories we made. “And the song! It’s amazing!” Her excitement fills the air with a kind of joy that’s contagious. Kendrick listens, herexpression filled with content, and I feel a surge of gratitude for this moment, for the chance to be here with them, creating something real, something lasting.

As we step off the boat and onto the dock, I reach for Kendrick’s hand, lacing my fingers through hers. She looks up at me, a question in her eyes, and I give her a reassuring smile.

“Thank you,” I say quietly, my voice filled with the weight of everything I can’t put into words. “For today. I feel Cassidy will look back on this day and smile from all the happy memories.”

Kendrick squeezes my hand, her expression softening. “Cass, thank you for arranging this birthday surprise. For us all to be together, especially for allowing Cassidy and me to be a part of your music.”

“I wouldn’t want it any other way,” I tell her softly.

We walk back to the car in silence. But it’s a comfortable silence that speaks of understanding, shared moments, and unspoken promises. Driving back to the house, I grin. Today was a really great day.

By the time we arrive home and have dinner, we’re all feeling exhausted from a day spent in the sun and out on the waves. Cassidy’s eyes droop as she drags herself tiredly to bed, but she has a happy smile on her face.

Glancing over as Kendrick enters the room, I give her a heated glance. “Cassidy will definitely sleep soundly tonight,” I say quietly, giving Kendrick a meaningful look.

I watch as a surge of color creeps up her throat. She had been very reluctant to come to my bed with Cassidy in the house. I tried to be understanding, but I’m glad Cassidy knows about us now. Kendrick’s actions confirm that she hasn’t had many lovers in the years we’ve been apart. I grimace as I can’t say the same. But looking back, I realize all the women meant nothing–not compared to the feelings I have for Kendrick. Feelings I don’t even want to examine too closely, at least not right now.

As she walks by, I grab her hand and give a tug, catching her as she falls onto my lap. “Finally, now I’ve caught something worth keeping,” I say smugly as I nuzzle her neck. Her light-hearted laughter makes me smile.

Carrying her up the stairs to our room, where I make slow love to her. Afterward, I pull her close, her head resting on my shoulder, and as her breathing evens out, I let the quiet realization wash over me—this is where I’m meant to be, with her, in this moment, finally at peace.

Twenty-One

Kendrick

The house feels almost too quiet as I stand in front of the mirror, adjusting the soft blue dress Cassidy picked out for me. She left a neatly scribbled checklist for Cass and me to follow on our ‘official’ date night: ‘Hold hands, give flowers, kiss, and dance.’ She even added little heart doodles around each item as if she were orchestrating the most important event of her life. And, to be fair, she’s taken it more seriously than anything else lately.

Cassidy has been texting me reminders and encouragement from her friend Holly’s house all evening.‘You have to do everything on the list, Mom! Don’t skip a single thing.’ Ending with a smiley face emoji and numerous hearts.I smile, smoothing down the fabric of the dress. Cassidy had insisted it was perfect for the occasion, and she’s right—the dress hugs mein all the right places and makes me feel a bit like the younger woman I was back when I met Cass.

A light knock on the door pulls me from my thoughts, and as I open it, I’m met with Cass standing there, holding a bouquet of white lilies and soft pink roses. The sight takes my breath away for a moment. Dressed in a casual but crisp shirt and dark slacks, he exudes that effortless charm that first drew me to him, softened by the warmth in his eyes.

“These are for you, per Cassidy’s instructions,” he says, a playful grin lighting up his face.

I laugh, taking the flowers and inhaling their scent. “She really did think of everything, didn’t she?”

He nods. “And I’ve got a feeling she’ll be checking in to make sure we’ve stuck to every part of her plan.”

I smile, feeling that familiar flutter in my chest. This is our first date in thirteen years, and I can’t help but feel a tinge of nervousness. An entire evening to ourselves made even more special by Cassidy’s careful planning.

We head out to the car, and as Cass opens the door for me, I feel like I’m stepping into a memory, one of those early days when everything was new and thrilling. Only now, there’s an added layer—a richness that comes with history and lessons learned.

“Checklist item one: hold hands.” Cass grins, taking my hand and letting his thumb trace slow circles over my knuckles, sending a shiver up my arm.

The drive to the restaurant is relaxed, filled with the hum of soft music and easy conversation. It’s as though the world around us fades away. I can already feel that magnetic pull toward Cass. It’s a connection that we’ve always had. When we arrive at the elegant restaurant Cassidy chose, which looks out over the ocean, the hostess gives us a polite smile and guides us to a private nook away from prying eyes.

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