Page 57 of His Greatest Treasure

The ringing of her phone cuts her off, whatever it was she was going to ask me lost in the sound. She moves quickly, answering the call without hesitation.

“Chris? Is everything okay?”

Her concern morphs into anger in the blink of an eye. I take a step toward her, abandoning my coffee on the counter.

“What do you mean you’re dropping her off early? This isn’t just early—it’s ridiculous. You’ve had her for less than twenty-four hours!” With her fingers pinching the bridge of her nose, she speaks again. “Too fucking late now. Yeah, I’m home . . . No, I’m not going to lie to her for you. If you’re content with cutting your time short with her, then that’s your loss and your problem. I’m not going to try and make light of it on your behalf. That’s your job . . . See you soon, then. Bye.”

She drops her phone on the counter beside the coffee machine and laughs. It’s loud and dark and swirling with a million emotions. I don’t move despite wanting to comfort her.

“He’s bringing Nova home?” I ask.

“Yep. One night and he’s done with her. Just like that. Fucking pathetic asshole.”

“When will she be here?”

“Forty-five minutes, give or take a few. I have to go.”

“Yeah, you do. Bring breakfast over with you so you don’t have to cook again. Has she eaten?”

I’m already grabbing a takeout container and filling it with the pancakes we made when I feel her hand on my back.

“Bring it all. Come over and eat with us.”

“Nova will want to spend time with her mom. Not me.”

“I wouldn’t be so sure of that. She was the one who convinced me to invite you for dinner after the pool incident.”

I look at her over my shoulder, trying not to get my hopes up. “Are you sure?”

“Yes. She’ll be happy to see you. Especially because we made pancakes. I have whipped cream and sprinkles at my house too, so consider that an incentive.”

“Let’s go, then.”

20

AVERY

Violence has never beenmy first reaction. I might get angry enough to shout and curse someone out from time to time, but I’ve never physically injured someone because of something they’ve done to me.

I’m debating breaking my celibacy when Chris ushers Nova up my sidewalk almost an hour after calling.

The pain in her eyes shatters something inside of me as she slumps along, bottom lip wobbling. Something comes over me, and before I can think twice, I’m pulling Nova away from Chris and lunging at him, my palm an inch from his cheek when a set of fingers wraps around my wrist.

The tingles diving deep beneath my skin where I’m touched tell me the fingers belong to Oliver, but I still tug my hand away without a care who’s touching me. Chris takes advantage of my pause and steps out of reach before I can make contact with his good-for-nothing skin.

Fucker.

“You’re a piece of shit, Chris,” I spit, looking down my nose at him despite him having a couple of inches on me.

He rolls his eyes. “You were about to slap me in front of our daughter. Who’s really the piece of shit?”

“Excuse me?” Oliver says, tone so hard that I almost flinch. “Say that again.”

Chris disregards him and stays focused on me, eyes brimming with more annoyance than anything else. It’s such typical behaviour from him that it doesn’t shock me to see it now.

“Call off the guard dog, Avery. We’re not going to fight in front of our daughter. She’s seen enough with that little fit of yours just now.”

“My fit?” I echo incredulously. “You’re really going to turn this on me, huh? Well, you’re nothing if not predictable, Christopher. You can leave now. I’ve got my daughter.”

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