Page 25 of Healed Hearts

“Help me wash, Daddy!”

The words bring a smile to my face. We’ve been working hard on hand-washing, and she does great, but she usually still wants me to help her, and I love it. I love everything about being her dad.

I open the door to the bathroom, and she’s standing on her stool, her hands out in front of her, eyeing me expectantly. I step up behind her and help her wash her hands. She giggles through the whole thing and it brightens my spirits. Maybe things are starting to look up. I can hope, anyway.

I dry her hands after they’re washed well and lift her up. She giggles again as I carry her into the living room and sit her down on the couch. “Daddy’s gonna get SpongeBob ready for you, then I’m gonna go get you cereal, okay?”

“Okay, Daddy.”

Ten minutes later, we’re sitting side by side on the couch, listening to the drama of Bikini Bottom while Wren picks at her cereal. She picks at it so long, in fact, that it gets soggy, and she hands it to me with a softly spoken, “Gross, Daddy.”

I bite my bottom lip, wondering if I’m about to spiral into panic again. God, I fucking hope not. And I really fucking hope she gets better soon.

Chapter Nine

Holden

Julian

I really just wanted to thank you again for everything you’ve done.

I smile at my phone, my heart fluttering around.

Me

I really don’t mind at all.

Julian

I’m glad. I enjoy chatting with you, but if I’m bothering you, please let me know.

Me

Not a bother at all. I enjoy talking to you too.

A smile comes to my face. I really like Wren. She’s absolutely adorable. I really like her dad too. But I’ll be keeping that to myself, thank you very much. Nothing good can come from my infatuation with him. Sure, it was the best hookup I’ve ever had, and he definitely didn’t hesitate to text me when I extended the invitation to, but so far, our conversations have been light. Friendly banter. Nothing more. I don’t want to read into it.

Beck walks into the living room, so I pause the TV and turn to him. “What’s up?”

“Can’t find my phone,” he mumbles, glancing around.

“Want me to call it for you?” I ask.

“Yeah, if you wouldn’t mind. I’d ask Roman, but he just woke up. You know he’s impossible to get moving in the morning.” I actually don’t know that, because all ofmyexperience with Roman suggests he’s quick to wake from the smallest sound or even an accidental touch in his sleep. That’s not a problem he seems to have with Beck, though. I bet it’s nice to feel that safe and secure with someone.

“Alright, I’ll call. You go look.”

He nods, turning on his heel and heading back toward the bedrooms.

I dial his number and sit with my phone in my hand, waiting for him to answer, to let me know he’s found it. Instead, I hear his phone ringing from the kitchen. Fucking idiot. I climb off the couch and head to get it. It stops ringing, and his voicemail picks up before I can find it, so I dial him again. I glance around,confused about where the sound is coming from. I finally spot his phone, tucked behind the coffeepot. Fucking caffeine fiend. I pick it up and start to silence the call when I notice the words “Chaos Twink” flashing across the screen. I blink at it, watching as the call ends. His voicemail picks up, and I hang up the phone, then dial it again.

I stare in disbelief as they flash across the screen again.

He has my number saved as Chaos Twink. What. The. Fuck. I’m going to murder him.

I make it two steps out of the kitchen when my brain has an aha moment. Chaos Twink. CT. This fucker has been calling me a chaos twink formonths. “Beckett!” I yell, taking off toward his bedroom.

I burst into the room, and he’s kneeling, looking under the bed. “Beckett,” I repeat, my voice deadly calm.

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