Page 71 of Stealing Forever

I’ve spent so much time and energy worrying about everyone else, that I’ve forgotten to make myself happy in the process.

Hailey’s reshaped the way I prioritize my life.

Of course, Sailor is, and will always be, my number one priority, but for once in my life, baseball isn’t the second.

I love having Hailey around. In my home. In my bed. Sneaking her in and out so Sailor doesn’t notice has made me feel like a teenager again, and the lightweight, giddy feeling that comes along with it is one I’ve missed.

But last week was just the tip of the iceberg with my time management struggles. As games ramp up, so will my schedule, and I’ll have to re-evaluate how much extra time is spent on the field after what’s truly needed, so I can make sure I’m staying attentive to both of my girls.

That starts today.

I needed to go to the stadium for four hours, and as soon as practice was finished, I was out of there.

I held myself to it, too.

It feels good—really good.

And I can’t wait to spend the rest of my evening at home barbecuing, relaxing, and being with the two people in my life who shine the brightest.

Killing the engine of my truck, I hop out, keeping the keys in my hand as I stride up the walkway. There’s a pep in my step, asong from earlier on the radio stuck in my head that I sing under my breath while unlocking the door.

As soon as I push it open, though, my smile drops. Two things happen at once. First, the stomach-churning familiarity of Addison’s perfume pummels me square in the face, and second, I see a very expensive, very ostentatious purse sitting on my entryway table that I know for certain isn’t Hailey’s.

A string of curses fly from my mouth as I barrel through my house, looking for whoever I come across first. My first stop is Sailor’s playroom, which is exactly where I find my daughter and ex-fiancée playing tea party.

“Daddy!” Sailor shouts when she sees me, flying up from her chair so she can run to me. I catch her, bringing her in for a hug while staring daggers at her mother across the room.

“Hi, Sail. Did you have a fun day today?”

“Hailey took me to the airport!” she tells me proudly.

I kiss her cheek. “I know she did. That’s so cool.”

I find it very telling that Sailor doesn’t mention anything about her mom, them playing, or her being here. Jesus, does Sailor even remember who Addison is? She was a baby when she walked out.

Putting her down, I step closer to my ex, who’s now standing just a few feet away with a plastic smile I’ve come to realize is as fake as her breasts. “What are you doing here, Addison?”

“Hey, Decky. Miss me?” She bats her eyelashes, which I’m ashamed to say used to work.

“No,” I deadpan. “What do you want?”

Sailor leaves my side and goes to play with her Barbies, which thankfully are across the room. I don’t want to have this conversation in front of her. Hell, I don’t want to have it at all but here we are.

“Can’t a woman miss her family?” Addison lays on a seduction attempt thick, trailing her fingers from my pec to myshoulder. I shrug her off. “You look good, Declan. Fatherhood agrees with you.”

Laughter erupts from me—a mixture of frustration and exasperation. Grinding my teeth, I respond in a gritty whisper, “You have some nerve.”

“I want you back, Declan. I want us to be together, and to raise our daughter?—”

“The fact—” I yell, then remind myself I need to lower my voice, not wanting to sway Sailor’s attention. “The fact that you even just referred to Sailor as your daughter is absurd. You walked out on us when she was barely walking. You chose an attempt at a career over your own child.”

“Sheismy daughter, Declan. Whether you like it or not. You, me, and her—we’re a family. We can be one again.”

“Absolutely not, Addison. You lost that chance when you walked out the door. Now tell me what you’re really doing here because I don’t buy the ‘I want my family back’ bullshit you’re spewing.”

“You’ve always thought the worst of me.” She crosses her arms over her chest, glaring at me.

My eyes narrow into slits. “Only when you’ve shown your true colors.”

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