Page 44 of Nothing But It All
“Yeah?”
I take in my daughter’s sweet innocence. Despite her freckles and baby face, she’s growing up. Daniel will likely be the first of many boys trying to capture her heart, and as much as I hate it—she’s my baby girl—I need to make sure she’s strong.
“Maybe you shouldn’t worry so much about Daniel, you know? Enjoy the family vacation you went to such drastic lengths to make happen.”
She places both palms on her chest. “But I’m in love, Daddy.”
“You are not in love.”
I say it before I think about it—a knee-jerk reaction to Maddie’s statement. And as her eyes go wide and the offense she’s taken to my statement becomes obvious on her face, I regret it.This isn’t helping, Jack, you fool.
“I am.I love Daniel. He’s my soulmate. And when we get back home, I want you to meet him, okay? I’ll have him meet us at the shop, and you can get to know him.”
That’s the last fucking thing I want to do.All I can think about is a snot-nosed kid who’s thinking with his dick and not his head. I don’t want that dick anywhere near my beautiful daughter.
But there will be boys, Jack.Don’t be the bad guy here.
“You know what?” I ask. “Let’s do that. Bring him to the shop.”
She looks at me warily.
“If you’re in love with this guy, I want to know what he’s all about,” I say.And show him all my tools and how good I am with them.
“Really?”
“Really.”
Her smile stretches across her cheeks. “Thanks, Daddy. You’re the best.”
I blow out a breath as she skips up the stairs toward her room.
“Fucking Daniel,” I say, pulling a bottle of water out of the fridge.
How do I handle this boyfriend shit? Do I just lock Maddie up in her room and never let her out? Because boys are going to find her if she breathes the same air as them. She’s too cute and funny.Just like Lauren.
I take a long swig of the water, letting it cool me down.
Jealousy at the thought of another man’s car being at my house the other day, even though it was Billie’s, floods me again.I have to get control of this situation now.
Maddie’s sandals smack against the stairs again. I turn around to see her flying out the door. I also see Lauren through the screen door. She’s not expecting me; the surprise on her face proves that to be true.
“Hey,” I say, my throat dry despite the water I just drank.
“I just went to the Cupboard.” She sets two bags on the table. “Mrs. Shaw is having her granddaughter bring us some meat later.”
“Okay.”
She pulls out a variety of items and puts them away.
“Want some help?” I ask.
“I have it. Thanks.” She looks at me sideways. “Where did she just run off to?”
“The Fritzes’. Tina is making some kind of mini sandwiches for lunch, and it’s very exciting.”
Lauren grins.There’s my girl.
“But she’s also waiting on a call from Daniel.” I sigh in frustration. “I hate that kid.”
