Page 40 of Play With Me

I might have swayed her by bribing her with a trip to Disneyland, because who would have stayed with the dog then? Cameron was busy with Kate, my two younger brothers were busy with their new business venture, and now that my mother had more free time, she had decided to spend it reconnecting with my father. I was happy for them, but I was just tired of life throwing me a bone, then taking it away after I’d barely had a sniff.

As if feeling the level of my anxiety, Sophie slouched down into her bed, sinking underneath her covers. It broke my heart, but with my job and traveling, it wouldn’t have been fair to a pup to live in a large empty house on his own when Sophie went to school.

Then again, did I even have a job now? With Cortez on the hunt for my family, it looked like I’d remain unemployed for a while, and my only job would be to protect this little girl beside me, who was my everything.

There was nothing I could do.

I had to wait.

“I don’t like seeing you this sad. Christmas is in five days.” Sophie pushed each one of her index fingers into the corners of my mouth, forcing my mouth into a smile. I removed her hand and kissed it. I also kept the smile.

“I’m sorry, baby. I don’t mean to ruin your day.”

“You didn’t. I know what would help.”

“Let me guess. A puppy?” I asked. A puppy was Sophie’s eternal answer to all problems.

“Yup. They always put a smile on my face.”

“You know what? How about we take a walk?”

She whipped her head to the side wall, checking the clock. “Right now? It’s eight o’clock already.”

“And I’m sure there’s a dog out there waiting to hear his good night story.”

That’s when she truly realized what I was offering her, and she threw her arms around my neck. It was the best feeling in the world. “Thank you, Daddy. I love you.”

“I love you as well.”

That evening, holding my daughter’s hand, we went to a local rescue shelter where we visited every single dog. Each one vied for Sophie’s attention with quiet yelps, licks, and soft barks. She was in heaven. My daughter didn’t have an ounce of fear in her body, even with the big dogs. That’s what made me afraid for her even more. Sometimes the bravest people hurt the most.

“Thanks, Jax. I owe you.”

My younger brother’s new on-and-off again girlfriend managed the shelter and let us in after hours. She seemed nice, but my brother wasn’t anywhere close to ready to settling down.

“No problem. You know I’d do anything for this little one.”

“I know.”

Watching Sophie walk from one crate to another and refill the bowls with water made me wonder whether I’d made a mistake. Maybe a pet was a good idea? But I could barely manage my own life, and hers — a pet at the moment would only add to the chaos I’d been trying to prevent.

After an hour, after Sophie had ensured that every dog had gotten enough attention, we drove back home – except without planning to, I ended up in front of Lola’s gate. I pressed the intercom for over ten minutes while Sophie slept in the back seat. Lola didn’t answer. Was she home ignoring me, or had she truly left?

I lowered my head in despair and heard Sophie’s quiet voice. “I think you should maybe try a different night, Daddy.”

“I think you’re right, baby. How about we put some more Christmas lights on the house tomorrow?”

Her eyes grew wide, and she nodded her head with eagerness.

My life was too unstable at the moment, and so was Lola’s. If she needed time, I’d give her time; but I wouldn’t give up. I was a patient man, and it seemed that when it came to Lola, my patience had no limits.

Chapter 10

Lola

Two dozen faded roses lay at the foot of the cross, and I wondered who’d put them there. Over the past seven years, I’d seen it happen a few times. There were plenty other spots around the road, all littered with flowers, but this particular one belonged to me. This was where my second life had begun.

This year, Christmas came and went. I didn’t even bother putting up a tree. I joined Emma’s family on Christmas day because before I met the Maddens, they were the only family I’d ever known. When Sebastian was alive, we’d be with the Crosses every year.

---