“Oh, baby, it already is,” I say. “And it’s messy because of him.”
She doesn’t respond.
My frustration spikes, but I keep my tone steady.
“I love you,” I say softly. “And I love Sera. I’m not going anywhere. And it’s really fucking hard to fight this battle when I’m here.”
Her breath catches, and it sounds like she might be crying.
I close my eyes, swallowing the anger, hurt, and fear.
“Just please don’t shut me out,” I say again. “That’s all I’m asking. And don’t keep me from Seraphina.”
“I won’t. Ever,” she chokes on a sob.
We hang up without anI love you—again—and I’m left staring at the floor like it might give me answers.
One thing is crystal clear to me though: for the first time in my career, camp feels long. And what I’m most afraid of losing isn’t a season. It’s my family.
CHAPTER
THIRTY-ONE
Alie
I’m dragging at work today after a bad night’s sleep. I just couldn’t stop thinking about his voice and how upset and miserable he’d sounded. And angry.
What he said wasn’t wrong necessarily. I’m just … I don’t know. Unsure. Scared. Which is making all of this worse. And Aaron’s words have weight because of our history.
But Liam’s words have truth.
Then somewhere between those two things is my daughter.
Our daughter.
And that’s the part that has been keeping me awake the last few nights. I’m not choosing between two men. I’m protecting my child.
My phone buzzes, breaking me from my thoughts.
Presley.
I answer the FaceTime call and see her standing on the field, wearing a T-shirt, track pants, oversize sunglasses, and an expression that says she’s not here to bullshit.
“Hi,” I say cautiously.
She pushes the sunglasses up onto her head.
“Where’s Sera?” she asks bluntly.
“Huh?”
Presley looks at her watch. “She in the nursery?”
“Yes,” I draw out.
“Okay, good. So, you’re alone?”
I hold out my hands. “Yes, Pres. What’s up?”
