Page 45 of Make Me Whole

Kicking off my shoes, I tiptoed my way downstairs and grabbed the bat as quietly as I could. The rattling stopped, giving way to the annoying screech of the front door’s hinges. The sound of heavy steps echoed afterward, and my heart all but stopped.

Holding the bat in a defensive position, I turned the corner toward the foyer. The room was dark, and the beefy intruder had his back toward me as he closed the door. His frame looked familiar, but I had lived in Windy River my whole life, so everyone in town was familiar.

“I have a weapon. Leave and you won’t get hurt!” I shouted, hoping it would make up for my lack of confidence.

“Holy mother . . .” the man screamed in a very—very—familiar voice. He turned to face me and yelled, “What the hell, Skylar?”

I blinked twice. “Dad?”

“No, Santa fucking Claus.” He sighed and bent over, heaving a few heavy breaths. “You almost gave me a heart attack.”

Instantly, I lowered the bat. “I’m sorry, Dad. I didn’t know you were coming over.”

“I called twice, so that’s your own damn fault. No reason to scare the life out of me.”

I rolled my eyes. “You’re being dramatic.”

He cocked a brow. “I’m old.”

“Forty-nine isn’t old.” Not at all. Max was also forty-nine, and the man was running on all engines.

“Well . . . it may not be in general, but it is for this kind of shit. Also, kudos for being a badass who protects herself, but that’s a child-sized aluminum bat. That thing isn’t a weapon. It’s a toy.”

“It’s what I had at hand. Besides, it’s longer than my arm, so I would have been able to crush Eli’s nuts without having to get my hands dirty.”

Finally, my dad’s lips quivered. He raised his brows in amusement and nodded. “That’s solid logic. You did well, kid.”

I smiled, dropped the bat, and folded my arms around his shoulders. “Hi, Daddy. I’ve missed you.”

He kissed my cheek. “Me too, kiddo. That’s why I came over. To see how you and my granddaughter are doing.”

“We almost have a kitchen now. That’s an improvement.”

“I bet,” Dad replied in a tone that clarified that wasn’t what he wanted to know.

I sighed. “Ella is great. She loves this house, her new school, and most of all, she adores the sibling situation she and Aiden created for themselves. It’s adorable, and I’m so glad she’s got him. She’s always been very lonely.”

Dad nodded. “So have you.”

True, but I’m not anymore.I hated that I couldn’t say that to him. His worry was palpable, and I wanted to put his mind at ease that I had found happiness and company as well. But what would I say?I’ve been sleeping with your best friend, and even though my life sucks sometimes, he makes me happy, safe and whole. He would be more angry than happy, and I was very sure I’d never want to see Max again.

Instead of putting my foot in my mouth, I shifted so we were side to side, dropped my head to his shoulder, and guided him to the kitchen. “I’m okay. I have some bad days—today was one of those, to be honest—but Max is a good boss and has been a great friend.”

Though his forehead scrunched with concern, Dad smiled. “He is an excellent friend. And I assume your bad today is related to Eli and the reason Max went to pick up the kids?”

I nodded. “Yeah. After that meeting, I needed a nap. And a bath—which is why I didn’t pick up the phone when you called.”

“What happened?” he asked, worry heavy in his tone. He could say he came over because he missed us until he was blue in the face, but I knew he was worried about my custody meeting. It was just hard for him to admit it. Dad always hated meddling in my life.

I walked to the coffeemaker and brewed a pot as I told him everything about the meeting, Mr. Kent’s and my successful intimidation tactic, Eli’s threat, and Mr. Kent’s subsequent firing me as a client. I even told him about Max promising me they would get me a new lawyer from Seattle who could stand head to head with the Walshes.

He agreed with Max’s position and browsed his phone in search for the best law firm in Seattle to take my case. Heart filled with gratitude, I poured coffee into our cups and took a seat at the island next to him. By the time the old hinges screamed again, Dad had already sent emails to the top firms in the city.

“Mom!” Ella screamed from the other room.

“In the kitchen.”

Little feet ran through the hallway like it was on fire. When she arrived, Ella stopped at the sight of her grandpa, smiled thrice as wide, and pounced on him.

---