Page 31 of The Hard Hitter

“Come here, kiddo,”

I say, and fix her suit. I hear a few awws from the women as I dig into her backpack and pull out her life jacket. Scotty comes stumbling over, having recently learned to walk, and Daisy takes his hand to play with him.

“Did you hear the news?” Quinn asks me.

“News?”

“We’re headed to Mexico with Jonah’s parents for the long weekend.”

“Oh, nice.” Jonah grew up with a loving family, and they instantly took Quinn under their wing. Now she has everything I’ve ever wanted for her.

“We won’t be around for the July 4th weekend, so no barbecue. I hate for you and Daisy to be alone, Zander.” Over the last couple years, Quinn has become the matriarch of our family, always organizing events, and barbecues with family and friends.

“We’ll be fine, Quinn. She loves the parade and fireworks.”

“You could always come with us.”

I keep my eye on Daisy and Scotty as she leads him to the small children’s pool Jonah put in a couple years ago. But there are a couple mothers seated around it, keeping an eye on all the children, so I know she’s in good hands here when I leave.

I turn back to my sister. “Mexico in July. I’m thinking no.”

She laughs and takes a drink of her lemonade. “You never were one for the heat. Personally, I love it.”

“I’m with you, buddy,” Jonah says, and Quinn shoots him a look. He holds his hands up and says, “But I’m going, I’m going.” He rolls his eyes and looks at me. “Like I have any say.”

Jonah is whipped but he totally loves it. He walks over to Quinn and gives her a kiss and she beams up at him. I’m so glad those two found each other.

As I think about that, my thoughts stray to Sam. She said she ruined everything, and that the failed engagement was her fault. But she gave me enough information to figure out what really happened. They clicked outside the bedroom, but not in it. Did she ask for something he didn’t want to give? If so, how the hell is any of that her fault?

For a second, I consider asking Quinn what she knows, but think better of it.

“I should get going,” I say and climb from my chair. I pull Daisy in for a hug, give her a kiss on the head before leaving. I walk myself down the hall and step out into the sunshine.

A car drives by, the driver slowing to gawk at me as I pass, and I smile and wave. Getting into my car, I drive the short distance home and give my buddy a call to check in on Sam’s car. I totally overstepped boundaries there, but I’m not going to have her busing, or driving a vehicle that isn’t safe. I take care of those in my life, and since she’s currently in it, I’ll damn well take care of her, too.

Jake picks up on the second ring. “Hey Zander,” he says.

“Thanks for getting the car in on such short notice, I appreciate it.”

Something clangs in the background, and Jake shouts to someone, then he’s back on the phone with me. “No problem. It’s the tie rod end. We’ll have it fixed in no time.”

“Anything else?”

“Spark plugs could stand to be changed, and she’s due for an oil change.”

“Okay, go ahead and do all those things. Bill me.”

“I’m on it.”

I end the call and glance around my place. Celeste did a lot of straightening up last night, and I make a mental note to give her a good bonus. I walk through the house, and it’s so quiet I can’t stand it. I used to love my solitude, but now being alone feels…lonely. I love that Quinn fills her place with friends and family, but it’s not really something I’ve done.

Is Daisy missing out?

I mull that over as I make my way to the shower. What my daughter needs is a mother, one who will love her and care for her and never leave.

I scoff as I shed my clothes and turn on the spray. Do women like that even exist? Maybe they do, but from what I’ve experienced, they don’t exist in my world.

Is Sam the kind of girl to stick around? Through thick and thin, better and worse?

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