Page 60 of Stick Move

“I have a few ideas on how to take your mind off your daughter’s first day of school.” She shakes her ass at me and when I curse she laughs and rushes into the house.

“You better have that French maid outfit on when I find you.” I hurry after her, tearing my clothes off as I go, and when I finally catch up to her, she’s naked in my bed. “Even better,” I tell her.

We spend the morning making love, and then we run errands, get groceries, and by the time we put them away, we’re ready to head back to the school to get Camryn. It was what most would say, a typical day in any family, but to me it was hands down a beautiful, memorable one, and I have my fingers crossed that Camryn had just as good a day.

We drive to the school and the second I see Camryn waving to me, my entire being relaxes.

“She did good,” Brighton says quietly.

I step from the car and open the door to the back seat and Camryn jumps in, talking a million miles an hour, telling us all about her day. By the time I get back into the driver’s seat, she’s telling us how Caleb and some of the other boys are disgusting, and Brighton and I exchange a grin.

When she finally finishes, I hand her a granola bar and apple, because we’re not headed home.

“Oh wait.” She digs into her backpack and pulls out a picture. “We had to draw our family today.” Every muscle in my body tightens as she holds the paper out and Brighton takes it.

“It’s you, Daddy, and me and Ms. Brighton and Grandma and Grandpa.”

I cast Brighton a smile, because we have a very special surprise planned for Bean today. “There’s something missing from the picture, Camryn,” I tell her and I can tell it’s all Brighton can do not to blurt out our secret.

She frowns and my stomach clenches because maybe I shouldn’t be playing this game with her. Maybe she’s going to think I’m talking about her biological mom. “No there isn’t, Daddy. I drew you, me, Ms. Brighton, Grandma and Grandpa. Everyone is here.”

I breathe a sigh of relief, but it’s short-lived because she’s totally replaced her birth mom with Brighton, and I want that too, which is why I need to show Brighton we’re meant to be a family. Unfortunately, I have to leave for Chicago soon and then my schedule from there on out will be insane.

I grin at her in the rear-view mirror. “We’re going to show you what’s missing, okay?”

“Daddy, you’re silly.”

We head out of town, and Camryn picks up where she left off, telling us more about school and we’re both rapt listeners, wanting to hear everything. She finally goes quiet as she eats her snacks and Brighton checks her phone for directions.

“We’re almost there.” She gazes out her rearview mirror as we drive by a farm, with a big For Sale sign.

“Hmm.”

“What?” I ask.

“That place reminds me of my grandmother and grandfather’s place.”

“Look, sheep!” Camryn calls out excitedly.

“Just up here,” Brighton says, a look of melancholy on her face. “I like that the pups,” she whispers the words pups. “Are being raised on a farm.”

I pull down a long driveway and Camryn sits up straighter when I park. “Where are we?”

“You’ll see.”

She unbuckles and gets out of the car and we take her hand and lead her to the big old farmhouse. The door is answered by a woman in her mid-sixties, and she gives us a bright smile. “You must be Noah and Brighton.” I nod and she bends to see Camryn, a very grandmotherly vibe about her.

“Who are you?” Camryn asks.

“I’m Betsy,” she responds and as soon as we hear puppies barking, Camryn’s eyes go wide.

“Want to come see the pups?” Betsy asks.

She nods emphatically. “Can I, Daddy?”

“Of course.”

We follow Betsy inside, and find the pups playing in a room with exercise equipment. It’s easy to tell how well cared for they are.

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