Page 16 of His Valentine

“Just like her momma.” I hold her hands with one of mine, waiting for Briar to come back and do it all over again. Damn, I’ve got it all—the woman, the little girl, the family, and the friends. I couldn’t ask for much more, that’s for sure.

13

KENNEDY

“You’re shitting my dick,” I say, the words slipping out of my mouth right in front of Briar as we’re walking from Asher’s place to ours. Trent is beside me, and his body locks up when he sees what caught my attention.

“Son of a bitch,” he mutters.

“Ohhh, I’m telling you both said potty words.” Briar has been on this kick of scolding anyone who says any variety of a cuss word. Sometimes they aren’t even that bad. She’ll deem it bad in her eyes and add it to her never-ending list.

“Sorry, sweetheart,” Trent responds. I remain quiet. I’m too busy bouncing my gaze around every which way.

“What the fuck is he doing here?” Asher says from behind us. Apparently, my big brother is pissed, rightfully so. I am, too. Chris knows better. I don’t mind that he wants to see Briar, but he’s well aware he needs to call and give me a heads-up.

“Calm down, Ash,” Trent says, already passing a very tired Briar off to me. She requested a ride home in the form of Trent carrying her. She’s flat tuckered out. After the weekend she’s had, bouncing from sleepover to sleepover, and then a day of funin the sun along with swimming, I’m shocked she’s even able to hold her eyes open.

“Come here, baby girl.” She wraps her arms around my neck, legs circling my waist, and as much as I’m trying to shield her, it’s impossible. She recognizes Chris’ voice.

“Mommy?” she questions, unsure of how to handle the emotions that come with seeing her dad for the first time in almost a year. He made a sudden appearance a day after her last birthday. It’s been silence ever since in the form of him being here physically. Chris will call maybe once every few months or shoot a text and ask about her. I’ll send him a picture back and a quick recap. Then he won’t respond. It’s a never-ending cycle and a battle I’m not choosing to fight.

“It’s okay,” I coo softly, rubbing her back to keep her settled.

“I don’t want to see him.” She shoves her face in my neck. Trent looks at my daughter and then at me. My face must say it all. He bends down, drops a kiss to my lips, and then whispers one on the crown of Briar’s head.

“You don’t have to, sweetheart,” he assures her. “Be right back. May want to head inside or hang back with Lennon.” We’re barely off Asher’s front porch, and with the way he bellowed at Chris, the rest of the guys will be out here soon.

“I will. Might take her inside if it gets to be too bad. Then I’ll join you.” The facial expression he sends my way tells me that he’d rather I didn’t. Well, too damn bad. I don’t need anyone getting in trouble, causing a fight, and things going from bad to worse.

“I can’t stop you, but I’d rather you didn’t until I know why he’s here, yeah?” I nod, realizing compromising will be better than just going off half-cocked.

“Yeah, okay.” I watch as Chris steps out of the car. He’s smiling as if he hasn’t rocked anybody’s world, mainly Briar’s. This is who he is. He thinks everything is honky freaking dory.Trent heads to where Asher is standing, legs spread apart, arms hanging loosely at his sides. The one tell my brother has is the way his hands will clench into fists when he hears something he doesn’t like.

“Briar, do you want to come inside and lie on the couch?” Lennon steps out on the porch with us after we made the short trek back up them when Trent went to go stand with Asher. I thought he’d help the situation, but the way the voices are getting louder, it’s obviously not the case.

“I just wanna see my daughter,” Chris says from the sidewalk.

“Yes.” The word comes out more of ayeshwith her face buried in my shoulder.

“Thanks, Lennie.” My girl is transferred yet again. I’d usually insist on carrying her, especially with my future sister-in-law so newly pregnant, except I really need to get down there. I love my brother, and I love Trent. I also love that they want to protect Briar and me, but I can’t let them fight all of my battles.

“No worries at all. Come on, pipsqueak, let’s get you settled and turn on some cartoons.” Lennon is going to be an amazing mom. She’s done this before in the form of raising her sister, Minnie. I stick around for a few more seconds, watching as they walk inside, but as soon as the door closes, I turn on my heel, run down the steps, and move between the two men staring angrily at Briar’s biological father.

“You know the rules,” Trent grunts.

“I’m in the area. Didn’t think seeing Briar for a few minutes would mean facing a firing squad,” Chris states.

“Chris, stop, please stop while you’re ahead,” I say, coming to stand between Asher and Trent. They could easily snap Chris in half, which I really don’t want to happen. The luck I’ve had this week, minus Trent and I finding our way together, obviously, Iwouldn’t put it past Briar to be standing at the window watching it all unfold.

“A few minutes. Let me say hi,” he tries.

“No,” Asher barks.

“Buddy, this is not how things work. Kennedy has been more than lenient with this situation. She could have taken you to court ten times by now. You don’t pay dick when it comes to your daughter. You let everyone else pick up the pieces you should be putting back together. Damn, man, Briar clung to me when she realized you were here. She’s not even seven, and you’ve hurt her so deeply that she was ready to crawl inside me to hide when she heard your voice.” I hear Asher making a grunting noise. Pissed as hell is what he is, rightfully so. My brother has picked her up when I couldn’t, been there when I had to work two jobs, and where has Chris been? In the wind somewhere.

“Kennedy.” I raise my hand to stop Chris.

“I’m not budging on this. Next time, call.” I can hear the footsteps in the distance coming from behind us.

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