Page 70 of Don't Leave Me

“You can move! I'm fine! I don’t need you as much as I did when you moved into my basement. Hell, even when Rob initially left us, I didn’t ask you to move here from Tuft Swallow. You did that on your own and while I'm very appreciative of the help you’ve given me, I could’ve done it without you. Rob didn’t help. He was just a warm body to have in the house while the kids slept. I could’ve asked someone else to do the same thing or hired more people.”

I pause my pacing and stare at her. She didn’t need me? I left a life I loved behind to move here and she never needed that? Thinking back, Sydney didn’t ask me to move. I just assumed she’d need another set of hands, but she’s right. Rob didn’t help with anything when they were married so not a lot changed for her.

I'm not upset I moved. If I hadn’t, I never would’ve met Sophia. She’s worth everything to me. I’d move a million times if it meant I got to be with her in the end.

“You don’t need me? Now?”

“I met someone, Peck. He’s amazing and has been helping me out a lot. I don’t think you’ve realized, but for the past month or so, I’ve barely asked you to help me at all with the kids. He’s been stepping in and being the dad they’ve always wanted. He’s great with them and they love him so much. We’re not getting married or anything yet, but I can really see a future with him.” The smile spreading across her face has tears pricking the back of my eyes.

I'm so happy she found someone who can fill the void Rob never could. Someone who’s good with the kids and loves them like they’re his own. The three of them deserve someone amazing.

“You don’t need me to stay in Maple Springs?”

“Not only do I not need you to, but I don’t want you to. Go build the life you and Sophia are dreaming of. Take that woman into your arms and never let her go. Let her have her dream house on Mulberry Lane and help her build the bakery of her wildest imagination. She’s going to be amazing, Peck, and you could be right there next to her.”

“Ok, but when do I get to meet this guy?” I fold my arms over my chest, acting like the protective brother I’ve always tried to be.

“You already know him,” she says softly.

Chapter 31

Sophia

My brows tug together as the floor in our room creaks for the tenth time in the last two minutes. Someone’s in there pacing and if I had to guess, I’d say it’s my boyfriend.

He doesn’t think I see it, but he’s struggling. Something is weighing heavily on his shoulders and I have a feeling I know what it is. He wants to make me happy and that means moving home to Philadelphia, but he can't do that while also staying here and helping Sydney with the kids.

“He’ll be ok, princess.” Dad wraps an arm around my shoulders and presses a kiss to my head. I don’t know how he knows what’s going through my head, but I'm appreciative of him having this super power.

“He’s struggling.”

“Yeah, but it will all work out in the end.”

“How do you know? How can you be so sure?”

“Because I didn’t raise a quitter. You won't give up on your relationship just because things get difficult… Plus, I spoke to him this morning. I know where he’s struggling and what’sbothering him. He’s figuring it out and he’s being smart about it.”

“Thank you for being the greatest dad in the world.” I wrap my arms around his waist and lay my head on his chest. I don’t care how old I get, I'm never giving up these hugs.

“It will all be fine soon, princess.”

Peck and Sydney come down the hallway and they both have smiles on their faces. I feel some of the tension in my shoulders disappear as I let out a long exhale. Dad squeezes my shoulders before letting me go.

Peck doesn’t hesitate. He comes right to me and holds me tightly against him. He presses a soft kiss to the side of my neck and murmurs in my ear.

“I love you, beautiful.”

“I love you too.”

“Alright, kids. I think it’s time for us to go home. You both have school in the morning.” Sydney motions for Danny and Bree to get their shoes on. “It was so nice to meet all of you. Especially you, Wyatt.”

As Danny and Bree stand, Jax does too. He starts putting on his shoes and grins at Sydney.

“What are you doing?” She folds her arms across her chest and glares at him.

“You said it was time for us to go home. I thought you were inviting me to your house.” The smirk never leaves his lips.

“The fact that you responded when I saidkidsexplains everything I need to know about you. You’re way too young for me.”

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