Page 96 of The One I Want
“I’ll tell you after the party because you don’t want to know now.” I turn back to the kids, who are ready for one more round. “Ready kids? All of us together! Three…two…one!”
The yells begin, but quickly turn into laughs as the three of them all of a sudden catch a case of the giggles.
Good. I like giggles. Giggles don’t make me want to cut a bitch.
Chapter35
Wes
SometimesI just like to sit back and watch Betsy with the kids. The way she connects with them blows my mind. She’s a friend. A nurturer. A confidant. It overwhelms me that I found someone who loves my kids with her whole heart.
One of my favorite things to do is sneak peeks of Magnolia and Betsy getting ready each morning. Their little chats about school, life, and the questions Magnolia asks while Betsy does her hair is one of those things I’m so glad they get to share, but that I also get to witness.
And now, so does the world.
Yup, my daughter, with the help of my girlfriend, are becoming social media stars.
“What’s the hairstyle today, Miss Mags?”
She wrinkles her nose, thinking about it. “What am I wearing again?”
“Black leggings. Pink sweater and polka dot boots from Tiny Divas.”
“Space buns. Definitely space buns.”
Betsy nods and gets to work while Magnolia goes on and on about what’s coming up at school today. They’re learning about plants because the weather is starting to warm up in Nashville, which means flowers are about to grow. She also talks about a boy named Liam and how he gave her a flower yesterday.
Note to self: figure out who Liam is when I do pickup later today.
I hold in my laugh as Betsy makes exaggerated faces toward her phone, which is recording this whole thing. I wondered what retirement would be like. But I never thought that part of it would include my family slowly but surely becoming one of those influencer families.
Because I nailed it… My kid went viral.
After the championship game, Dean, my agent, asked me to call him. I was a little shocked to hear from him, considering I told him that I wouldn’t be needing his services on a full-time basis anymore. He responded that he wasn’t calling for me, but for my kid.
A clothing company for young girls called him wanting to hire Magnolia to be a spokesperson. I didn’t know that was a thing. Sometimes even I don’t know what she’s talking about. How’s she going to talk about a product?
Then Betsy explained to me how it works. How she just had to make videos wearing the clothes, giving them a certain amount of name drops, and she’d get paid. I didn’t like the idea of my child going to work before her kindergarten graduation, but Betsy made the suggestion that we put it away for when she’s older. Maybe for her first car. Or college. That I could get on board with.
The deal was sealed when Betsy said she’d do the videos with her. She said she’d do all the filming, editing, posting, and even coordinate the efforts with the brand. All I had to do is sit back, watch, and make the occasional cameo.
I now live in a house with ring lights.
But I’ll take it because Magnolia is loving it. She loves the clothes. She loves her mornings with Betsy that have become the niche that Betsy once told me about. And they’re having fun.
That’s all I can ask for.
“Now for the clothes!”
I hold in my laugh until I know Betsy has stopped recording. I’ve now seen enough videos to know that’s where this part of the video stops before she goes to get dressed.
“Looking good as always,” I say, leaning down and giving Magnolia a kiss on the top of her head.
“Thanks, Daddy. Excuse me, I need to go do an outfit change.”
I stare at her as she walks into her bedroom, shutting the door behind her.
“Have we created a monster?”
