Page 44 of Fight For Us
“I hate to break it to you sis, but the right guys usually do. Shawn drives me nuts everyday, but it’s usually endearing. Except for when he tosses his dirty laundry next to the hamper. Like seriously… the hamper isright there. I don’t get it.”
“Glad I only have to deal with that from Alex. I think I’ve bugged him enough about it that he’s trained now, though.” Igrabbed a piece of cheese, stacked it on a cracker and passed it to Mia before making one for myself.
“Thanks.” She took a bite, chewing thoughtfully. “Well if you’re not into Wes, at least let me set you up with someone. I saw this new guy at class talking to Mark and oh my God, Liv.” She lowered her voice. “He’s so hot. I shouldn’t say this about someone since I’m taken and all but I had to wipe drool off my mouth when I saw him. His jaw could cut glass and he has dimples. You know I have a weakness for dimples.”
I shook my head, even though I knew she’d keep pressing me. “Tempting but I don’t think so. I’m too busy to date, especially now with Alex’s leg.”
“I’m happy to babysit. Promise me you’ll think about it?”
“Fine, I’ll think about it.”
“Good! Now come on, I’m going to beat Alex’s smack-talking butt in Uno.” She pulled me up by the hand and I followed her into the kitchen, tucking my phone into the pocket of my jeans.
We had a great day at Mia and Shawn’s place. Amazing food, laughs, and a fair amount of shit talking was exactly what I’d needed to get myself into a better mindset. Back home, Alex declared he was exhausted and put himself to bed, while I spent a few minutes straightening up the already tidy kitchen.
After the full day of conversation, my place felt extra quiet with only the two of us. Maybe we needed a dog like Remy. But I knew I’d constantly battle all the hair. While I scrolled our local animal shelter’s list of available dogs, Wes texted me.
Wes:Can you talk?
Adrenaline immediately began to flow through me.It may have been my first official day of texting with Wes, but I knew he always at least said hello first.
Me:Sure, I’m home
I paced my kitchen, imagining the worst case scenarios. What if they’d taken Lilly? Or she got hurt? Were his parents okay?
Me:Is everything okay?
I waited for the little read notification underneath my message to pop up, but after five minutes it didn’t.My kitchen felt too small, like it lacked enough air, so I grabbed my sweatshirt and walked outside.I knew the moment Wes stepped out of his car that something was wrong.
Chapter 18
Wes
Olivia’s face fell whenshe saw me. I couldn’t blame her, I knew I looked like shit.
“What’s going on?” Olivia asked as she approached my car.
“Regina surprised me with a text.” I pulled out my phone and opened the message, handing it to Olivia.
Her eyes widened as she read. “She could be bluffing?”
“She’s not. She sent me the file in my email. It’s notarized from wherever Savannah is.” I pulled up the image of the letter from Sav and showed it to Olivia. “She's starting the process. Giving up her parental rights to them. What am I gonna do?”
Her eyes focused on the ground while she paced back and forth. “My father is a lawyer in New York. Let’s call him in the morning.”
I nodded as she continued. “What were your custody arrangements before?”
“Savannah has sole custody. It was a cut and dry divorce. I didn’t contest anything.” I thought back to my mental state when I’d gotten served with divorce papers. Our relationship was toxic as hell and I’d just caught her cheating on me. I signed the paperwork without even reading through it, like the pathetic asshole I was. That’s how I ended up giving Sav most of my monthly income and rarely seeing my own kid. Then we got back together, but that only lasted until the accident. I couldn’t imagine her giving up her rights to Lilly, but especially not to her parents.
“That’s good. I know my father will be able to help. He has colleagues everywhere, maybe he can put you in touch with someone?” I heard her voice but not her words. My head was all over the place. “Wes?”
“I don’t know anymore. Maybe I shouldn’t be a father? Maybe they’re right? I’m not a good person, Tiger. People I love end up hurt.” I pulled on the back of my neck, looking up instead of in her eyes so I couldn’t see the questions in them. The silent judgment.
“Wes, I say this with all the care in the world. Pull your head out of your ass.” She stepped closer, so her body was inches from mine. It didn’t matter that her head barely reached my collarbone, she wrapped her hands around my neck and forced me to meet her gaze. “You’re a good person who loves his daughter. We’re not going to let those assholes win.”
She looked at me with undeserved reverence. I wanted to believe her with everything in me. Her hands gripped me with strength I wished I had. Even my quickening pulse betrayed me. Why should I let myself react to Olivia’s touch when it didn’t mean anything? “I’m not strong enough to fight them.”
She glided her fingers from my neck, catching a loose strand of hair and tucking it behind my ear. The small gesture caused me to shiver. “Then we fight them together.”
