Page 122 of All I Ask
“That’s him,” she whispers.
“Yes. Are you sure you’re okay?”
She looks up at me with tears in her eyes. “I don’t know, it’s so strange.”
No one has noticed us and this would be the perfect time to exit. “Let’s head back now.”
Chastity nods.
When we start to make our way out the door, I hear Keith’s voice. “Derek?”
Shit.
I turn to Chastity. “Just play along.”
“Keith, I’m here to pay my respects. I’m very sorry for your loss.”
His lips are in a flat line and it’s clear he doesn’t want me here any more than I want to be here. “Thanks. Is this your kid?”
No, she’s yours.
“Yes, this is my daughter, Everly.”
Chastity looks up at her father and extends her hand. “Hi.”
“Hey.”
My head is spinning at the fact that he’s standing here, and he doesn’t even know it’s his daughter.
“You play football?” Chastity asks.
“I do, are you a fan?”
She shakes her head. “Not really.”
His eyes narrow and I clear my throat. Last thing I need is him to suddenly grow a brain and figure it out. “Well, we have to get to a client…” I say.
“Right. Thanks for stopping by and sorry about the other night. You know how it is with kids, I’m just not built for it. I was trying to do the right thing but with Teagan that’s pretty impossible.”
No, I don’t know how it is, Keith. In fact, I think you’re a fucking idiot who needs to have the shit kicked out of him. You’re a spineless prick for taking advantage of Teagan, and now for being a horrific excuse for a man by hurting your daughter, whether you ever wanted her or not and if I didn’t have my own kid to worry about, I’d be in jail.
I can’t say any of that because I’m standing here with Chastity—at a funeral. So, I nod a little, as though I think he’s got a point, which I don’t. “Well, I would appreciate you staying away from us while you’re around.”
He looks at Chastity again and then back up to me. “Won’t be a problem. I have no desire to see anyone in this town.”
Chapter Thirty-Five
Teagan
Present
“So,” I say with my best half-awkward-half-excited voice. “Are you settling in here?”
Everly scoffs. “You may be dating my dad this week, but we are not going to be friends.”
Oh, good, and I thought this might go poorly.
“You’re right. You totally don’t need friends.”
