Page 57 of Bleeding Hearts

And there was no way in hell I was asking Susanne. I didn’t need her judgement messing with what I was trying to build with Bethany. And until Bethany was ready to come clean with everyone, I was keeping that crazy, loony bitch far away from our little bubble.

I’d be lying if I said it didn’t bother me that we hadn’t made it public yet. Her reasoning was that she needed time to make sure it was the real deal. She wasn’t ready to have everyone up in her business asking questions about when we were going to level up. She just wanted to keep it between our little family without the outside pressure. And because I kind of understood where she was coming from, I didn’t push. Eventually I would, because we couldn’t continue to do it like this forever.

“Daddy, do you think Miss Beth will take me to the cemetery so I can show Mommy my costume?”

I’ve already talked to Bethany about this. “Yep. It’ll be one of your first stops.”

Mollie smiles, her reflection in the mirror revealing her cute, little dimples. “I know Mommy will love her. I don’t care what Grammy says. Mommy wants us all to be happy, and Miss Beth makes us happy.”

This is why I don’t want Susanne around. She’s doing everything she can to turn Mollie against Bethany, telling her shit like how Stephanie would be sad to know we’re trying to replace her.

Lies. She’s insane.

Stephanie had her problems, felt insecure at times, but one thing we discussed was what we’d want for the family should something ever happen. It might sound morbid, but my job had its share of risk that we had to openly live with. We’d both expressed how we wanted the other person to find happiness again.

I wasn’t so sure I’d be able to do it, but I have. It took me three long years and lots of tears to be ready. And I’m not about to let my mother-in-law ruin it for us. Because I’m not the only one this affects. My girls love Bethany as much as I do.

Fuck.

I shake my head as reality slaps me in the face while I’m braiding my baby’s hair.

I fucking love that woman.

“Why are you frowning, Daddy?”

Shit.

I glance up to check my reflection and, sure enough, I have the meanest of all the grumpy frowns on my face.

“I’m concentrating,” I lie. “Okay, hurry up and brush your teeth so I can drop you off at school on my way to the station.”

Turning around, I stomp down the hall to my room so I can pout in peace. I’m frowning because I know there’s no way in hell I can share that with Bethany. She’ll freak out. Dump me as soon as the words slip out and tell me she made a mistake.

Kellie comes walking into my room with a pen and piece of paper in her hand. “You need to sign this.”

“What is it?” I ask as I take it from her and find the signature line.

Turning from me, her words are rapid. “Permission slip for me to wrestle.”

“Stop!” I didn’t mean to yell. “Hold up. Talk to me. Why am I just now hearing about this?”

She spins around, her head hanging low and shoulder slumping as she reaches for the paper. “Never mind. I knew you wouldn’t let me.”

I yank the paper back and hold it above my head. “Why do you think I wouldn’t let you?”

With her head down, her eyes meet mine. It’s something her mother did when she thought she knew what I’d say and wasn’t impressed. “Because wrestling is a boy’s sport. Girls are cheerleaders, not wrestlers.”

Now it’s my turn to lower my head. “Who the freakily flop told you that line of hogwash?”

Kellie stands taller, her face lighting up just a little. “Wait? Are you saying you would let me wrestle?”

“Why wouldn’t I? Girls’ wrestling has been around for several years now. I would never say you couldn’t because you’re a girl. Hell, if you wanted to play football, I’d let you try.” I lift the paper and slap it against the wall so I can sign it. “Did you know I wrestled in high school?”

“You did? Were you any good?” Walking over, Kellie peeks up at me, rising to her tiptoes, astonished that I’m actually signing.

I pause my signature and look down at her from the corner of my eye. “Three-time state champion. I would’ve won it my freshman year too, but I caught the flu right before state and had to forfeit. I can’t believe I’ve never told you that before.” Once I sign and date the permission slip, I hand it back to her. “Next time, don’t listen to Grandma Susanne. Come to me. Have I ever told you that you couldn’t do something simply because you’re a girl?”

Even though Kellie didn’t throw my bitch of a mother-in-law under the bus, I know she’s the guilty party who said these awful lies.

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