Page 140 of Shortcake
“Say it!” I shouted. “Don’t just give me the reasonswhy. If you’re truly ending things, then look me in the eyes and say the words, Conrad.”
I watched the thick column of his throat bob as he swallowed. Watched the downward slope of his mouth as he frowned and started speaking. And slowly, I moved my gaze up to his emotionless, vacant eyes. “We’re not going to work, Addy. I’m ending this. For good. I need you to move out as soon as possible. Of course, you can leave your things here for as long as needed until you find an apartment.”
The blow of his words hit hard and fast, hurting so much more than I expected. I closed my eyes against the onslaught of tears, pushing them deep down.
I opened them slowly, looking him directly in his cold, emotionless eyes. “Say no more,” I croaked. “I’ll be out of your hair tonight.”
ChapterTwenty-Nine
Conrad
Two weeks later…
The boat rocked gently in the lake as the sun lifted up over the horizon, slowly bringing light to the early morning twilight.
It was beautiful. So silent and still that the lake looked like it was blown glass.
And nothing was better than having my daughter by my side. Even if the last two weeks had been a tad quiet in the house without Addy around.
Still, it was for the best. Even if I did miss her.
Hell, miss didn’t even begin to cover it. Without having her around, my heart had basically flatlined.
“So, Adam’s mom said we were welcome to hang out at her house any time. Even if it’s Mr. Stone’s week to have him.” Harper said, flicking her fishing rod within the water. It took every ounce of my control freak energy not to correct her technique while fishing. These mornings together weren’t about actually catching fish. They were about connecting.
And I had to admit, it was working. Even though Harper had admitted more stuff to me in these past couple weeks than a father should ever have to hear, for the first time in years, our relationship was building back—based on trust.
Thanks to Addy.Without her in our lives, I didn’t think this would have ever happened.
“You don’t have to avoid Elijah on my behalf, Harper.” I didn’t like the guy. Hell, I probably never would. But one thing was for sure… I couldn’t fault him for being in love with Addy. That girl could get under your skin like no one else.
Harper folded her legs crisscross on the bench of the boat, adjusting her fishing rod once more. “I know. I can’t avoid him forever, but for now I don’t want to see him. It’s not like it’shisfault Addy’s gone.”
Every muscle in my body clenched hearing her say Addy’s name and the unspoken accusation in her words. The subject hadn’t come up since the day Addy moved out and said goodbye to Harper.
I turned my head to look out at the water, hoping I was hiding my pain well enough from my daughter
The last sixteen days had been a nonstop circuit of work, Harper, and sleep. Work. Harper. Sleep. Wash. Rinse. Repeat. Just. Keep. Going. Don’t. Think. Of. Addy.
But there was this melancholy rain cloud hanging over us for two whole weeks.
And in some ways, it only secured my decision to end things. Harper was moping around the house. She neededrealfriends who were her own age. More friends like Mia… not the owner of a local bar.
Harper sighed beside me. “Are we not going to talk about itever?”
“It?” I asked, playing dumb.
“Yes,it. The breakup. Why did you end things with Addy?”
Damn this kid of mine and her direct questions. It’s how she’d always been, though. Right to the point. Cut to the core.
“I didn’t break up with Addy,” I said, ignoring the way my throat constricted as I lied. “She and I decided it was for the best if we ended things. It was mutual.”
“Don’t lie to me, Dad. Our fishing trips are supposed to behonestand without consequence. That goes for you, too. And when Addy found me on the rooftop, it was clear how much she loved you.”
There was that word again.Love.
The exact sentiment I’d been desperately trying to purge from my heart.
