Page 111 of Bonus Daddy
A year ago, I would have said no, but my whole world had changed the day Terry had forced Cal and Sully and me to move to Jersey. I’d stood on a solid foundation for decades, certain that I was following the correct life path.
For almost two hours, I ran through every scenario in my mind.Then I sat with my feelings, like Dr. Johnson had taught me to do. And I made a plan.
What I found as I took a step back and looked at my life was what I already knew: Jersey had changed me. Therapy had changed me. My conversation with Cliff had changed me.
There was only one thing I wanted now. A family. Specifically this family.
Movement caught my eye as I was mulling over how to convince the girls to stop by the apartment in Jersey without giving away the surprise. When I looked up, Jess was stepping through the wrought-iron gates, followed by a smiling Greta. Trailing farther behind was Kit, whose shoulders were slumped and whose lips were pulled down in a frown.
My stomach sank. Oh God. Had things gone badly?
I jumped out of the car and jogged over to them.
“Brian?” Kit’s face lit up. She ran for me, and I opened my arms and scooped her up.
“I’m sorry I was late,” I said as I set her on her feet and crouched, since she’d yet to release me. “Did you knock ’em dead?”
She nodded into my chest. “I think so. But now I’m not sure.”
Greta darted over and joined our hug, giving me a big squeeze.
Jess appeared next, wearing a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. “I could hear her from the hall. She was amazing.”
“Proud of you, kiddo,” I said, still looking at Jess.
She’d been an anxious mess for days, but now, she looked completely wiped out.
The kids, on the other hand, were already chattering, telling me about their day.
“They have math and science,” Kit explained. “But I’d get to study music theory too. I thought I wouldn’t do that until college.” She turned and asked Jess for her phone. “And they have performances and showcases all year long.”
Once Jess had unlocked her screen and handed the device to her daughter, Kit and Greta babbled even faster, Kit scrollingthrough Jess’s phone, showing me photos of the theater and the classrooms.
“So impressive,” I said, peering up at Jess again.
Her eyes were distant, her skin wan, putting me on guard. What was going on? Did she know something the girls didn’t?
“I just hope they accept me.”
I kneeled and put my hands on Kit’s tiny shoulders. “Whether or not they accept you doesn’t change a thing. You worked hard and went in there and did your best.”
She rolled her eyes. “You sound like my mom.”
“So wise and supportive and awesome, then?” I asked with a wink.
With a huff, she skirted around me and headed down the sidewalk.
I dusted off my pants and stepped up in front of Jess. I wanted to hold her, to kiss her, but her body language told me it wouldn’t be welcome. So I settled for ducking so we were eye to eye.
“You okay?”
She nodded, her gaze darting to the side. “Tired and stressed.”
My gut clenched, but I ignored the sensation. This wasn’t about me. Today was about Kit and Jess. “Do you want a ride back? I had to drive here, and we’ve got a little something planned back at the building.”
She shook her head. “Can you just take us home? It’s been a long day.”
“But—” I snapped my mouth shut.
