Page 59 of Who's Your Daddy
I can’tnotfeel it.
“Promise it’s safe?”
The way she’s staring up at me, like she trusts me, sends a powerful thrill through me. “Promise.”
Her lashes flutter shut and she sighs. “Fine.”
Without giving her a second to change her mind, I haul her forward. As we approach the helicopter, I duck and put a hand on her back, signaling she should do the same. I help her up, then run back to thank our driver and make plans for him to pick us up tomorrow.
Once I’ve settled beside her, I turn to ensure she’s buckled in.
“This isn’t at all what I pictured,” she admits, her hair adorably windblown.
Attention on her, I hum, “How so?”
She surveys the large compartment. “I always thought helicopters had like jumper seats and I figured we’d have to wear headphones.”
I chuckle. “This is Beckett Langfield’s. It’s a bit fancier than that.”
Her eyes widen. “God, you Murphys really do play with the big boys.”
“If you say so.” I dig my phone out of my pocket and check thesecurity app. Murphy and T.J. still aren’t home so all I see are the damn plants that are finally coming back to life.
My heart clenches.
Lola leans across the armrest between us and peers at my screen. “Plants look good.”
I nod.
“Why are you staring at the plants, Cal?”
“Do you think it’s wrong of me to leave Murphy?” That’s the only part of this trip I’ve struggled with. I’m excited to spend time with Lola, but now I wish I’d brought Murphy too. This was a bad idea.
Maybe she answered. Maybe she didn’t. I’m too keyed up and in my head to know.
“We should go back.” I dart a look at the door a crew member has just closed, anxiety worming its way up my throat.
“Cal.” Lola squeezes my hand, her voice soft.
“I don’t want to be another person who leaves him,” I rush out. “He’s had enough of that.
Understanding dawns on Lola’s face. “It’s good for him to spend the night with T.J. and Sully. They’re his family too.”
Like she’s pressed on a valve, the anxiety seeps out of me.
This woman always knows just what to say. More importantly, she knows kids, and when it comes to Murphy, I have every confidence that she knows what’s best.
“Also.” Her tone is stern now, like she really wants me to pay attention to this part, “it’s good for him to see you leave. This way he’ll learn that when you do, you’ll come back.”
I sigh and relax a little in my seat. She’s right. Because I’ll always come back. Murphy is stuck with me for life, and I’ll make sure he knows that.
“Tomorrow,” she adds. “First thing in the morning.”
I grin at her, feeling lighter. “Sometime tomorrow.”
“First thing. You promised.”
I shrug. “We could have breakfast first. Maybe go to the Revs game. Tomorrow’s game is at home.”
