My eyes jerked toward Donovan.
A strangled sound came over the line. “And I’d be obliged if you kept out of mine and my wife’s business.”
“Ex-wife,” Donovan corrected.
Evan let out a grunt. “Fuck you.”
“Right. We’re done here.” Donovan plucked the cell from my hand and clicked the end call button before handing it back to me. “If he calls again, decline it.”
I stared at him open-mouthed.
“You okay?” he asked.
I nodded, a smile stretching across my face. “That was fuckingawesome.”
He shot me a grin. “Thank fuck. I thought you might be mad at me for getting involved.”
“No way! I was about to cuss his ass out anyway. When you announced you were my man, I thought he’d have a damned seizure.”
Donovan glanced at me, his eyes glittering. “I don’t like the way he spoke about your girl. A man shouldn’t talk about his daughter like that.”
My lips pursed. “God knows what’s gotten into him. He’s usually amazing with Gabby. I agree the kids have to do chores, but there’s no ill intent in Gabs. DJ would defy Rachel just to piss her off, but Gabby hates upsetting anyone. I don’t shout at my kids; we don’t live that way. I understand they need discipline, but I only have to sit them down and explain where I’m coming from, and they listen.”
“We’ll sort Gabby out,” he assured me.
“I just hate this for her. She’s so sensitive.”
His hand squeezed mine. “I think we’re here.” He clicked his blinker on and turned into a side road where an old gas station loomed ahead. DJ’s old, blue Chevy truck was all hooked up and ready to go while my son stood next to it, gabbing with Lucie, one of the Speed Demons’ prospects.
The door to the tow truck flew open, and Gabby jumped down, her long, black hair bouncing as she landed. My daughter was in a bit of an Alt phase, and she wore it well. Gabby didn’thave a clue how cool and edgy she looked in her black, netted crop top, black tutu-like skirt, and Doc Martens.
She came flying toward the car, all long limbs and flowy hair bouncing behind her. I opened the door and jumped down just in time to hear her exclaim, “Momma!”
I held my arms out, waiting for her to run into them. As soon as her body hit mine, I smoothed her hair and murmured, “Baby. Are you okay?”
She pulled back slightly and looked at me with sad, soulful eyes. “Yeah.”
I tucked a lock of hair behind her ear. “We’ll talk it out when we get home.”
Gabby gave me a tentative smile. “Okay.” Her gaze swept over my face and down my dress. “You look beautiful. How was the wedding? Do you have a picture of Mizz Maeve’s dress?” She was interrupted by the sound of Donovan’s truck door thudding shut, and her eyes jerked toward him as he sauntered over to us. I almost heard her teenage sigh as she took in his unbuttoned shirt with the sleeves rolled up his tattooed arms, and sexy smirk.
“Oh my God,” she breathed.
“I know, right?” I murmured.
Her eyes jerked back to me and rounded while we shared a fleeting moment of appreciation for the hot guy.
“Hey, Gabby!” Donovan greeted her. “You grew up pretty!”
“Oh my God,” my daughter breathed again.
I bit back a laugh.
“H-Hey, Mr. O’Shea,” she stuttered. “Thanks for coming to help us.”
“Yeah,” a deep voice cut in. “Thanks for bringin’ Mom to pick us up, Sir.”
I turned my head to see my boy approaching and smiled.
