Page 14 of Despite It All
His hands go up to rest on the top of his head, then he sighs. I have no clue what he’s feeling right now, but I imagine anger is a big one considering he thought he was going on a vacation, but suddenly found out he’s now strapped with a shit ton of responsibilities.
I can’t help it as tears start to fall down my face full force.
“Jett, I swear I tried to find you, I really, really did. All I knew was your first name, and the hotel said there weren’t any Jetts there in the books for that weekend. I went back to the bar and sat for hours hoping you’d come in, but you never did and I… I…”
Jett steps in and places his hands gently on my shoulders for a moment then as if he can’t stand to see my tears he cups my face wiping them away. “Wyla, hey, it’s okay. I believe you. I’m just trying to wrap my head around this.”
I stare into the blue eyes that one hundred percent match my daughters. “I’m sorry, but… Jett, she’s yours. I swear, there are no other options, but if you want a paternity test, I understand.” An even more terrifying thought enters my head next. “Or if you don't want anything to do with us, you can—”
“Don’t you dare finish that sentence, Wy. I’m going to tell you right now to get that fucking thought out of your head.” The words may seem harsh, but there’s nothing but sincerity in his tone.
I nod slowly. He takes a deep breath, his eyes holding mine as his thumbs still gently caress my cheeks. “What’s her name?”
A small smile tugs at my lips. “Stevie.”
I can physically see the tension leaving Jett’s shoulders and he smiles. “Stevie… unique. I like it.”
I chuckle at the deja vu and try to pull myself together. “Jett, I know this is about to sound extremely bitchy, but can we please keep this quiet until we can talk more? I just want her to enjoy her party.”
Jett’s hands finally leave my face and slide down to my shoulders. “Okay, I won’t say a word. Does Anna have your number?”
I look up at him, trying to hold back more tears. “She should, yes.”
“Okay, then we’re going to drop off her present and go.”
“Jett, you don’t have to leave…”
“I want her to enjoy her day and not have her mom’s attention split in half, worrying about some guy.”
His face softens as he lightly brushes his hands up and down my arms. It should feel weird having him touch me after so long but it doesn’t. It almost feels like he never truly stopped, even with the time lost.
I snort. “You’re not some guy, Jett, you’re her dad. If you want to stay… stay.”
Part of me doesn’t want him to leave. But some time to actually process might be good for the both of us.
Jett cups my face again. “I promise, Wy, I won’t miss any more of her birthdays, but for this one, I’m going to go back to Anna’s and let you make sure she has the best day.Then I’m going to text you so you can call me with a place to meet you later, and we can talk about this more.”
“Thank you,” I whisper, not really sure how to respond without losing it again.
Jett swipes a stray tear from my face, and I want to melt into his touch. “Go enjoy the party. Call me when you can, okay?”
His face seems so conflicted. What’s he thinking? He’s angry, I’m sure. Gah, what I wouldn’t give to be able to crawl into his mind.
As the thoughts start racing through my brain, he leans down and kisses my forehead before walking out the front door.
Chapter 4
I have officially gone into game time mode. It is essentially the only mode I can function in right now to not actively lose my fucking mind. A daughter. Who’s four. With Wyla. And apparently, has been living in the same town as my sister this whole time, and none of us knew.
It took one look—one look at the little girl to be transported back to Anna as a kid. They look identical with the bright, curly blonde hair, the Ellison blue eyes, and freckles galore on her face. The only thing setting her apart are those dimples she got from her mother.
And damn it, if one of the main regrets of today's events is that I didn’t get to see Wyla’s. I’ve thought of her smile countless times. The way her dimples show and how she scrunches her nose—it’s fucking adorable.
I head out the front door and text Anna to meet me back at the car. Walking out the door was fucking hard. I havea million and one thoughts bouncing around in my head, but right now, I’m repeating,I have a daughter. Who’s four. With Wyla.
Wyla. The girl I’ve been hung up on for years. The girl I’ve been dreaming about finding, and now I have… with my daughter. My brain is fucking reeling.
Anna hops in the driver’s seat and doesn’t hesitate. “Explain what the hell just happened right now, Jett Ellison.”
