Page 52 of My Mistake To Make

‘Fuck you. See you later.’

I end the call as Cara comes back into the room and decide not to tell her. She doesn’t need to know.

‘Thank you, Doug, really. I know this is something you’ve always wanted to do, but it’s so beautiful. I can’t wait to see it all done.’

Her smile is so sweet and genuine as she leans against her car, gazing up at the house.

‘It’s my pleasure, Cara.’ I take a deep breath and blow it out. ‘I need to apologize.’

‘No.’ She holds up her hand. ‘Please don’t. I’ve just about got my head around it all and accepted that it was just a moment. Don’t confuse me all over again, please.’

I swallow the apology I was about to offer and nod my head.

‘I like to know where I stand with people, Doug. You said you don’t like me, and honestly, that’s easier for me to work with than trying to figure out the mixed messages, so can we just go with that?’

I step back slightly, her words shocking me, but I nod my agreement before I can muster up an argument.

‘Okay.’

She inhales, blows it out, then gets in her car and leaves. I guess I’m back to not liking her then.

I park up at the bar and fight the temptation to go looking for that blue Mini. I want to know if she’s here, but as I approach the door of the bar, my plans for the evening change.

Sitting at the outdoor tables playing with her toy cars is my baby girl, and the devil personified.

‘Your mom said you weren’t at home, so I assumed you’d be here,’ she spits out, and I roll my eyes as I lean in to kiss my baby’s head.

‘I was at work, Jessie.’

‘Funny because your guys inside said they finished up over an hour ago.’

‘You don’t talk to my guys, Jess.’ I point at her, and she puts her hands on her hips and gives me the look.

‘I’ll talk to whoever the fuck I want.’

‘Watch your language.’ I growl at her. I’m sick of her cursing in front of Bowie.

‘Who were you with, Doug?’

‘I was at work, Jess, but it’s not your business. We are not together.’

‘Hey Bo, you want to go on a road trip with Mama?’ she calls out. Bowie is used to her games enough to ignore her, but it squeezes my heart.

‘Quit threatening me. She’s not a pawn to use against me. You don’t want me, but you don’t want me to be with anyone else. What the hell is wrong with you? I’m a good fuckin’ dad.’ I lower my voice, sick of her shit but not wanting Bowie to hear.

‘You are a good dad,’ she admits, ‘because you’re around when we need you. You need to remember where your focus needs to be, Doug. If I find out your attention is being spent elsewhere, we’re going to have to reassess our arrangement.’

‘That’s enough, Jessie,’ Bree’s calm voice cuts through the silence that descended, and I turn to see her standing over us in uniform.

‘Stay out of this, Breanne. It doesn’t concern you.’

‘That’s my brother and my niece, and this is my town. If you’re going to throw threats around, you can be damn sure it concerns me.’

Jessie stares at Bree for a solid minute, and when Zoe comes out of the bar and calls Bowie to her, Jess decides this is one she won’t win.

‘I’m going out of town. She’s yours till Monday.’

Then she turns and, without saying goodbye to her daughter, walks away.

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