Page 56 of Beautiful Broken Love

“You have my word I’ll walk a straight line. But once the business part is over with, that’s a whole other discussion.”

“Tavia,” I warned.

She broke out in a laugh as she flopped down on the couch. “I’m just playing, girl!”

THIRTY

DEKE

When Javier had told me he was flying to Miami for a meeting, a part of me had yearned to go, because there were three things I knew I’d encounter that always turned my bad mood around: liquor, nightclubs, and of course, the women.

Yeah, I know I said I didn’t want to fool around with another woman unless she was Davina, but that was over with now, so to me, it was free game.

Javier probably wasn’t going to do any clubbing, but I had a few dudes who played ball for Miami who I was cool with and could meet with them.

I needed to let loose and forget about Davina. Javier said to be her friend, but she hadn’t emailed me back in days. It was clear now. She didn’t want to deal with me, so it was whatever. I’d give her space and stop sweating the situation if that’s what she wanted.

I watched Javier walk down the steps of the private jet, with Aleesa in his arms. I was surprised he’d brought her with us, but his nanny was newly pregnant, and her morning sickness was kicking her ass. He’d have to look for a new one soon, but in the meantime, his mom would be flying in to help out.

I walked across the tarmac to get to the black SUV waiting for us. The sunlight bathed the back of my head and neck, and it felt good after being on that cold jet.

When I climbed into the SUV, my phone vibrated with a text.

Whitney:I saw that article about you and Giselle. Glad you’re done with her. She was mad superficial.

I darkened the screen of my phone again. I wasn’t in the mood to eventhinkabout that fucking article and definitely not about Giselle’s snobby ass.

She was the reason it was even floating around. She was telling everyone we weren’t seeing each other anymore because I wasn’t a good person and that I wasn’t romantic. It was a whole bunch of bullshit.

“Deke. Candy?” a little voice said next to me. It sounded more like “Dee. Canny?”

I looked at Aleesa, who was locked into her car seat, with a smile pasted on her face. She had big green eyes and sandy-colored curls. That beautiful three-year-old looked just like her mom. I was sure it pained Javier every day to see the spitting image of his deceased wife in his baby girl.

I cut my eyes to her dad, who was sitting in the passenger seat and giving the driver the designated address; then I dug into the pocket of my jean jacket and took out a pack of jelly beans. I’d brought three packs just for Aleesa.

Our candy affair had started when she was one and I’d had to swindle her with a STARBURST. She literally wouldn’t even look at me when I came around, and for a while there, I could’ve sworn she hated me. I shared that tiny strawberry fruit chew with her, and her entire mood flipped. Suddenly, I was her best friend.

It’d gotten to the point where she started reaching for me whenever I entered a room she was in. Yes, I bribed her with sugar. No, I don’t regret it. She was my little road dog now, and believe it or not, I helped Javier out from time to time by babysitting her if I was free.

Aleesa did a little squeal, and I pressed a finger to my lips. She cupped her mouth with one hand as I opened the packet of jelly beans and dropped some into her tiny palm. She couldn’t help giggling.

While she did, Javier peered over his shoulder.

“Dee canny, Daddy,” she said, already chewing.

Javier turned the soft gaze he had for his daughter to me, transforming it into a full grimace. “Seriously, man?”

I threw my hands in the air. “That’s the last pack, I swear.”

“You know I do not like her to have candy, Deke. She turns into a little gremlin, running throughout the whole house and jumping off of the walls.”

I laughed as Javier faced forward again, then pointed my gaze at Aleesa, who was chewing and smiling at the same time.

“You’re gonna make your dad beat my ass,” I murmured to her.

“Deke!” Javier shouted.

“What, man?”

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