Page 31 of Loving Wild
“You will. I’m not gonna lie and sugar coat it, relationships are fucking hard, especially for someone your age who’s never had one before.”
“Thanks.” Despite her not being able to see me, I shake my head as I give my sarcastic response.
“You’re welcome.”
There’s a pause, and I hear the alarm sound from inside the school to mark the end of the day.
“Look, right now, it probably feels like you’ve got everything stacked against you, but Lauren’s not some young bubblehead, impressed with the Wild name and reputation. She’s done what no one else hasevermanaged and got you dropping the L-word because she’s smart, funny, and gorgeous. You two just need to be kind to yourselves, as well as each other. Now that her husband is locked up, just shut yourself at home, and spend some drama-free time really getting to know each other, and if you still decide you need to talk things through, either together or separately, I can give you some numbers.”
“Thanks,” I repeat but mean it this time. “For everything. I mean it.”
“No worries. I love you. Don’t be a stranger. When the pair of you are ready, we’d love to have you over for dinner.”
“Sounds good, I’ll talk to Lauren.”
“Nawww, that warms my heart. I really am happy for you, Gabe.”
“I’m happy for me too, Jess. I’ll talk to ya soon.”
“Love you, bye.”
The call ends, and my truck is filled with the sound of Rihanna singing about finding love in a hopeless place. I instantly think of Lauren and want to call her, but I spot my daughter walking across the playground towards me.
My stomach hurts at the sight of her. I love this kid so fucking much. She’s all long arms and legs as she makes her way towards me. She doesn’t move with the confidence of a woman yet, but I know it’s coming, and I fucking hate the idea. I miss out on so much not having her with me full-time that I want her to remain my little girl. I’m not ready for this next stage.
A group of older boys are at the school gates, and they all look Ava’s way as she approaches. As I step out of my truck, I’m instantly hit with a narrow-eyed glare from my daughter.
“Hey, mate,” I call out, not caring which one of the little shits eyeing up my daughter acknowledges me. A kid who looks about seventeen looks my way. I shake my head. “Look away, mate, she’s twelve years old, I will break your fucking face.”
The kid nudges his mate and says something, the five of them turn my way before shifting their gaze from me to Ava, then to each other as they start talking amongst themselves. My daughter drops her bags at my feet.
“Why are you out of the car? I can’t believe you just shouted that right across the street. You can’t threaten people like that.”
“Can and I did. They’re lucky I didn’t go over there and . . .”
“Oh, my god. Just get in the car, Dad. Seriously, could you be any more embarrassing?”
“I could . . .” I trail off as I watch her stomp around to the passenger side and climb in. Before climbing in the front, I throw her bags on the back seat.
“So, I don’t even get a hey Dad, or a kiss anymore?” I turn towards her and ask.
“Not when you embarrass me like that.”
I watch as she pulls her hair tie thing out of her long blonde hair. Escaping the ponytail it was in, it falls down her back and around her shoulders. She combs her fingers through it before gathering it up and piling it all on top of her head, the same way Lauren does. It amazes me that women can do this without a comb, brush, or mirror. Leaning across the centre consul, she lands a kiss on my cheek.
“Hey, Dad. Missed you.”
“Missed you too, bub. Put your belt on.”
As soon as Ava’s belt clicks into place, I pull out into the line of school pick-up traffic.
* * *
Without a word,my daughter connects her phone to my truck’s blue tooth, and within seconds, I’m hit with the sound of One Direction singing about someone not knowing they’re beautiful. Again, my first thought is of Lauren, which means I don’t let out my usual groan when Ava takes control of the music being played.
I make it out of the school zone and hit the highway. There’s an unusually long moment of silence before I feel my daughter’s eyes on the side of my head.
“You okay, Dad? How’s Lauren?”
