Ellie’s words sink in and I realize what she’s saying is true. Have I ever been this happy before? I don’t think that I have. I have a job—two jobs—I love with all my heart, an amazing girl I nanny, and a man who turns my world upside down.
It’s everything I could ever dream of, which makes the sinking feeling in my gut so troublesome.
If I’m so happy, why the hell do I feel so terrified?
Connor is cussing behind the closed bathroom door while he struggles to put on the Kristoff costume I gave him a few minutes ago. I know he’s struggling because by the loud bang that just occurred, I’m almost positive he fell on his ass in there.
“You okay, buddy?” I knock softly on the door.
“Fuck off, Niko.”
I howl out in laughter as soon as Connor opens the door. He’s decked out from head to toe in an authentic Kristoff costume that looks like it came directly from the set ofFrozen on Ice. From the fur around his collar right down to the furry boots, he looks like he is ready to go chop some ice.
Taking a step back, I rub my chin lightly and blow a breath as if I’m not impressed. “Well, it’ll have to do, I guess.”
Connor turns around to look at himself in the mirror that’s hanging on the wall in the upstairs hallway. He smooths down his jacket. “I think I look rather dapper.” There’s absolutely no emotion on his face when he says it, and I burst out laughing again at how serious he is.
“Dude, I can see your shins.” I pointdown to the floor where the lower part of his legs are on full display because the pants are two sizes too small.
He turns back toward me and shoves me into the opposite wall. “Yeah, well, not my fault the costumeyouprovided was not made for a six-foot-five man. Tell me again why you aren’t the one rocking this thing? It would probably fit you betterandyou’re blond. Seems like a no brainer to me.”
“It’s cute you know that Kristoff has blond hair. But seeing as I’m the father of the birthday girl, I’m excused from such acts.”
Connor mumbles something unintelligible under his breath. I’m about to ask him to repeat himself when my phone vibrates in my pocket.
“Motherfucker.” I pinch the bridge of my nose and throw my head back against the wall.
My best friend’s face transforms from annoyed to concerned quickly. “Everything good?”
“It’s Claire. She’s not showing up today after all.”
Connor shakes his head. “Fuck, man. I mean, I’m glad she won’t be here, but I’m sure Sophia was looking forward to seeing her.”
“When I talked to Sophia, she said she didn’t care if her mom came to her party. After her less than enthusiastic reaction, I told her that her mommightbe able to come if she got in town early enough.”
Connor’s forehead scrunches in confusion. “I thought they got into town last night.”
A less-than humorous sound leaves my mouth. “Yeah. They did. But with Claire, I always know there’s a chance she’ll bail so I didn’t want Sophia knowing she was in town and chose not to come anyway. Which is exactly what ended up happening.”
“What was her excuse this time?”
I look down at my phone and read the text out loud to Connor.
“‘I’m not going to be able to make it today. The band got an offer to go sky-diving and it’s been on our bucket list so we can’t miss out! Tell Sophia Happy Birthday for me!’”
The look on Connor’s face resembles the one he wears anytime someone comes near Mack in the goal crease. Connor is a quiet dude until you fuck with his family, on ice or off.
“That’s fucked up. She can’t even call her own kid on her birthday?”
“That’s Claire. I told her I was done. No more pop ins or random visits. It’s affecting Sophia too much. It’s affecting us both. We need to move on without her.”
Connor looks at me in shock. “No shit? Good for you. About damn time, honestly.”
“Fuck off.”
I can’t spend another minute thinking about Claire. Honestly, I’m breathing a little easier knowing I don’t have to tiptoe around her anymore and deal with the aftermath with Sophia.
I push off the wall and clap Connor on the shoulder. “Enough about my shitty ex. Sophia will be home any minute and today is about her. You ready, Kristoff?”
