Page 54 of Outplayed

“It is.” He nodded, his lips thinning, probably wondering if my being there was good or bad.

“Is her mother in custody?”

“Yes,” he clipped. “I spoke to my lawyer. He thinks she’ll be away for a long time since I reported that first incident and got what Izzy told me on tape.”

“Thank God.”

“I know.”

“Still, it doesn’t feel enough for upsetting Izzy.”

His lips twitched. “My line of thought as well. However, I’m sure her stay won’t be pleasant.”

Meaning, he probably knew people on the inside and his ex was about to get in a shitload of trouble. “Good,” I stated, and it was good. Izzy was only five. No child should hear those words from a parent.

“Miss Violet,” was screamed from above.

Smiling, I watched Izzy race down the stairs. My heart skipped a beat when she nearly fell, and I started for her. She righted, kept coming, and threw herself at me on the last step. I wrapped my arms around her and swung her about.

“Izzy,” I whispered into her hair. “I missed you.”

She pulled back. “You did?”

“Of course.”

She hugged me tighter. In my shoulder, she asked, “Will I get to see more of you?”

I lifted my eyes from the floor to meet Travis’s worried gaze. Was he worried about what my answer would be?

“I would like that.”

“Yay, Miss Violet.”

“Honey, you can call me Lettie.”

Travis’s tense body relaxed, his smile glorious. He ran a hand over his face and through his hair; it seemed he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. I wanted to laugh because I felt giddy happy.

I then told Izzy, “Only the people who are special to me get to do that.”

I heard a sniffle. “Lettie,” she whispered.

A smiling Trisha stepped up to my side. “Come on, pumpernickel. It’s time to do your hair.”

Izzy pulled her face up. “But, Lettie’s here.”

“How about I promise to still be here when you get back?”

Travis’s eyes flashed with delight on hearing that, causing my own smile to brighten more. I liked shocking him, making him happy.

“Okay.” Izzy nodded, and I popped her back onto her feet. She gave me a quick hug around my thighs and then turned to her father. “Did you hear that, Daddy? Miss…” She glanced to me grinning. “I mean, Lettie is staying here until I come home.”

“I did, princess. You have fun with Trisha and be a good girl.”

“I will.” She went over to him. He bent enough for her to kiss his cheek and she returned the gesture. “Bye, see you both soon.” She took Trisha’s hand and waved from the front door. I waved back, my heart in my throat seeing her so happy, and also the feel of Travis stepping so close, his warmth touching my back. Only his hands didn’t, and I wanted them to.

Izzy hadn’t been the only one I’d missed.

Of course, I’d missed Travis.

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