I slap my hand on the kitchen counter. “Enough, Finn.”
He studies me for a moment, then shakes his head and leaves, his footsteps heavy on the stairs.
I stare at the space he just vacated, my pulse pounding in my ears, aware that I have lost control of the situation.
He’s wrong. He doesn’t understand the pressure I’m under, the responsibility, the expectations. He’s a kid. He sees the surface, not the cost.
Still, his words, I know, will haunt me. Words that tell me what he thinks of me as a man, as a husband.
You’re being an ass to her.
A few minutes later, Mikaela comes bounding down the stairs in her pajamas, her sketchbook tucked under her arm.
“Daddy!” She’s breathless. “Look what I drew!”
Her timing is perfect, a soft reprieve after Finn’s storm.
She opens the book to a pencil sketch of me and Jayne.
My daughter is a freaking artist because it’s incredible.
We’re standing together, smiling, her hand in mine. It’s an old photo she must’ve copied from a frame in the hallway.
“It’s beautiful.” I kneel to look closer. “You’re getting so good.”
“Do you think Mommy will like it?”
Tears prick the back of my eyes. She made something for Jayne. Something to show her she’s adored. “She’ll love it,” I choke out.
Mikaela throws her arms around my neck. “I love you, Daddy.”
I hug her back, my throat tight. “Love you, too, Peanut.”
She skips off, while I’m left kneeling in the kitchen in a tuxedo, surrounded by an accusatory silence.
I straighten, bereft.
I love my kids. Very much.
I show up when I can, and I work hard so they never have to worry about their future.
But lately, I’ve been so focused on keeping everything running that I haven’t noticed what’s breaking.
And it looks like everything is!
I grab my keys from the counter and glance at the clock.
Jayne’s still upstairs.
We’re going to be late.
Damn it!
CHAPTER 5
Jayne
“I’m so sorry, Iris. I swear I wanted to join you, I just?—”
