Page 88 of Enemy Daddy Next Door

I glance at the PI, a jolly smile on his face. “You posed as a –”

“Shhh, you’ll miss it.”

“Listen, our supply is down,” Veronica’s voice replies. From the quality of the sound on her end, it sounds like a phone call.

“Oh, don’t give me that shit,” Hank retorts.

“We don’t have it,” Veronica hisses. “But if you want to be in touch in October –”

“What the fuck is going down in October?”

Veronica hesitates. “Let’s just say my business is going to be opening a new line of income. And our supply issues won’t ever come up again. How does that sou –”

I shut off the recorder before I hear anymore. The room is silent as I piece it all together.

The hearing is at the end of the month. If Veronica gains custody, she not only gets her alimony, but she also gets child support for Jessica. Only someone as cold-hearted as Veronica would use custody of her child as a “new line of income”.

I knew something was wrong. I knew it.

“That must have been hard to hear, Ricks. I’m sorry I didn’t warn you.”

I shake my head, although I feel like I’m going to be sick. “N-no, you…this is good.”

“It is,” he says encouragingly.

I take a deep breath and rub my forehead. “Fuck.”

“I know this is all a lot to take in. But remember, this is good. It’s a good thing.”

I nod. “Yes. You’re right.”

“Everything we need is right here. And don’t worry. I’ve backed it up to the cloud too.”

I can’t resist a chuckle. This older man’s charm knows no bounds. “Thanks, Hank.”

“Don’t mention it. After all, with the rate you’re paying me, you could say I have a new line of income coming in.”

We both laugh. Takes the sting away from finding out how absolutely heartless Veronica is. Always has been. Somewhere inside me, I had hoped she had changed. If just the tiniest bit. Not for me. Not even for Jessica. But for her.

After all, I loved her. I saw her at deep points in her addiction where she couldn’t function without coke. I was…I guess I was too immature to get her the help she needed at that time.

Why wouldn’t she want to get better for her? For her life?

It doesn’t matter. That’s not my problem. This is sorted. Nearly done and dusted. Which means I can go back to how life was before Veronica showed up and bungled this all up.

I can go back to Amy. With a full, unafraid heart.

I can love her without the fear that my whole life will turn upside down and watch her feel responsible for turning it right side up.

Yes, I can love her. Because I do. I have for a while, but I’m now finally free to see my feelings for what they really are. Unafraid.

I need to let her know as soon as possible.

25

AMY

Even just walking into Ricks Melrose is hard to bear. Seeing his last name everywhere drives me crazy. It’s not just the sign over the entrance. It’s written on the walls, emblazoned on the cocktail napkins that I use to hold the tiny spoonful of tuna poke I swiped from a passing cater waiter. I can’t even enjoy the view of Melrose from the rooftop, I’m so consumed with Hunter’s name.

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