“Teegan, I’m sure Max doesn’t—” Rowan began, but I shook my head.
“It’s fine, I don’t mind telling her. Yes, I’ve had a few relationships before this one.” I paused. “But I haven’t loved any of them like I love your dad, I can promise you that.”
Rowan smiled at me. Teegan nodded, taking a sip from her can. She was clearly satisfied with that answer.
“This is so weird,” she mumbled with a shy giggle. “I don’t know what to make of it.”
“There’s no rush to understand it all right away. We can take our time navigating it all. As much time as you need,” Rowan said.
“Thanks, Dad.”
I felt happiness bloom inside my chest as she leaned into Rowan, and he wrapped an arm around her. He kissed her hair, and I saw the emotion welling up in his eyes. Rowan cleared his throat.
“God, are you crying again?” Teegan teased, sniffing and wiping her own eyes. “Get it together.”
“Sorry, sorry,” Rowan laughed, rubbing his hands against his face.
We remained in the living room for some time, chatting easily about nonsense, with the odd serious, heavy questions from Teegan thrown in. Rowan and I did our best to answer her as truthfully as possible, and I was silently thankful she didn’t ask for too many uncomfortable details.
Soon, Teegan was gathering her bag and her jacket ready to leave. Rowan was going to drop her home, with the understanding that she would visit again sometime soon. As we gathered at the doorway, Rowan grabbed his keys and my eyes fell to Teegan’s shirt as she shrugged on her jacket. It was the same Kursed band t-shirt she’d been wearing the first time I’d met her, and I suddenly remembered the gift I had for her.
“Wait! Stay there a minute, I have something for you,” I exclaimed, just as Rowan opened the front door. They both looked back at me with an identical quizzical expression, and I almost laughed. I quickly darted back inside the flat, to my bedroom. Oliver had come through on his promise to get me a signed Kursed CD and then some. The album I held in my hand had yet to be released and was signed by all four band members. I jogged back to the front door.
“Here.” I held it out to Teegan. “I know it doesn’t come close to making up for everything that’s happened, but…”
Teegan looked at the CD in her hands with a bright smile. As she turned it over, her eyes widened, and she let out a sharp squeak.
“Oh my god!”
Rowan looked over her shoulder, clearly confused by what had caused the commotion. Teegan grinned, doing a little excited dance on the spot.
“How did you get this?” she asked breathlessly.
“A good friend is mates with the bassist.”
“That’s so cool.” She smoothed her fingers over the CD case, almost lovingly. “Thank you.”
“Of course.” I smiled. Rowan caught my eye and I saw that familiar glint of happiness and pride.
“Come on, Teegs. Let’s get you back home,” he said, steering her down the corridor. “I won’t be long.”
“No worries,” I replied, surprised when Teegan turned and waved. I returned it before heading back inside. Just before I closed the door, I heard Teegan ask:
“Why is Max so much cooler than you?”
Rowan laughed. “Ouch! Thanks for that, babe.”
I smirked and quietly shut the door. For the first time in the last few weeks, I felt hopeful. Perhaps everything was going to work out okay, after all.
???
Teegan continued to visit us. It started as just once a week, but before long she was spending at least one weekday and every other weekend with Rowan and me. It seemed he and Christina had fallen into a mutually agreed upon timetable for Teegan, and the girl was more than happy with it. Rowan and I were always careful not to be overly affectionate towards one another in front of her, unsure how she would react, but it was becoming harder and harder to resist.
We all sat in front of the TV, watching some truly awful teen drama that Teegan was obsessed with. Rowan sat at one end of the sofa, and I was at the other. Teegan was sitting on the floor between us, leaning back against the sofa.
Bored out of my mind, I glanced over at Rowan, surprised to see him looking back at me. He pulled a face and silently mimed a gun to the head, and I smirked, nodding in agreement. I desperately wanted to slide over and cuddle up next to him, but it wasn’t my place to push that side of things. Rowan was Teegan’s dad; he would set the pace.
With a groan, Rowan got to his feet. “Right, sorry Teegs, but I can’t watch anymore of this. Do you want something to eat?”
