Frowning, Lucas rubbed his hands over his face. “I know. I’m not...open or whatever. I’m not like Anna. Or the guy she’s searching for.”
“That’s not what I’m saying, Moreau,” Fox replied stonily. “I’m saying she’s what you fucking need! You talked with her! With Anna, you shared more than just... oh God, I hate myself for these words, but you shared more than just your body with her. You gave her more than crumbs, like the rest of us get.”
Lucas pressed his lips together. “It’s not about me.”
Fox snorted. “And why shouldn’t it be about you for once? Your parents and your sister were caught up in their own shit. You don’t talk, you don’t draw attention to yourself, andyou’re secretive. But that doesn’t mean you don’t deserve to find someone who makes you feel like you can open up. Just accept that she wants you! Because, shit, she wants you! We all saw that yesterday.”
He took a deep breath and exhaled. “I know,” he said irritably.
“Then what’s your problem?”
“Melody, she...”
“Oh, come on. Don’t use her as an excuse. It’s okay if something more than just Melody and hockey makes you happy, Moreau. It’s okay to want more.”
“I know!” he snapped. “But if Anna and I are together and the press finds out – which they damn well will! – they’ll find out about Melody. They’ll suddenly take an interest in me, everything will get complicated, and she’ll receive too much attention.”
“Yeah. Probably,” Fox replied calmly.
“It’s good we both understand it’s not possible!” he growled.
“Uh, I still don’t get it.”
Stunned, he stared at his friend. “Melody...”
“Is your damn daughter, Lucas,” he whispered urgently. “She’s not your niece. She’s not just any kid. She’s your daughter. And she wants everyone to know. She hates it when kids say she has no parents. Sure, the press sucks. A few kids will get on her nerves and her life will become more complicated. But she talks about Anna all the time. Do you think she’d really be happier if she remained a secret, didn’t see Anna again, and you were miserable?
Despair rose in Lucas and he narrowed his eyes. “I don’t know, Fox! I don’t fucking know!”
“Then ask her!”
“What?” He blinked, irritated.
“You never asked Melody what she wants, Moreau.”
“Melody doesn’t know what it means for me to make her existence public,” he growled.
“Maybe not. But just like how Dax and Jack should have asked Anna what she wanted, you should ask Mel.”
“She’s five!”
“And always knows exactly what she wants. Explain to her what it means. Tell her what’s going to happen. Let her decide.”
Without another word, Fox pushed the kindergarten entrance door open again, and when Lucas didn’t move, he impatiently turned to him.
“Are you coming or what?”
“I’m supposed to ask her...right now?”
“When else?” Fox shook his head sympathetically, as if Lucas were particularly slow today. It was fitting because that was how he felt. Very slow.
He followed Fox back into the kindergarten with a buzzing filling his head that he couldn’t place or turn off.
“...and that’s why unicorns are shit!” Leon concluded matter-of-factly as the door closed behind them. Oh God, what the hell?
Melody’s eyes widened. “You’re not allowed to say shit.”
“Sorry. That’s why unicorns are complete crap.”
