“So you were supposed to meet with Zach that night at the bar, right? When I showed up instead? You lied about that.”
He shrugged.
“That night, you mentioned the police showing up at my place,” I added. “How did you know?”
“From Zach. He’d said something about it when we were arranging the meeting. How he’d seen Piper there with you.” He pushed the pudding cup away. “I realize you hate me, and I’m not too fond of you either, O’Neal. But I’m not the same man I was. That has to be something you can understand. Fucking up your life and trying to come back from it.”
I crossed my arms. I didn’t like thinking of myself and Danny as remotely the same. I’d never intentionally hurt a woman or a kid I was supposed to love.
But I’d screwed up before. I’d lived with that shame. I also believed anyone could change. If they wanted to.
“Can’t I start over?” Danny asked quietly. “I could be a better person. A better father.”
“If you think starting over is the same as everyone else magically forgetting what you did, then no. That won’t happen. But if you’re really willing to do the work, then you can earn a place in Piper and Ollie’s lives. Just don’t expectmeto go anywhere.”
Danny rolled his eyes. “I guess that would be too much to hope for.”
“I will always protect Piper and Ollie. I’m going to give them all the love they deserve, and then some more. But if you can be a positive presence in their lives, then I’ll make room for you. I might even help you. I would suggest you start with apologizing to them. And you’d better fucking mean it.”
He looked at me curiously, like he couldn’t quite figure me out.
The door opened, and Ollie’s head popped in. “Hi, can I come in?” He glanced between me and his dad.
I walked over and patted Ollie on the shoulder. “I was just giving your dad his pudding. I’m done. I’ll go find your mom.”
Danny worked to sit up a little higher on his pillows. “Hi, champ. Come in. There’s some things I’d like to say to you.”
Last night, after Piper had finished at the police station, our closest friends and family had gathered around us and brought dinner over. Teller had spent time on the phone with Piper as well. He’d wanted to fly out again, but Piper had insisted he stay on tour with Ayla.
Tonight, it was just the three of us again at Piper’s place. Ollie was in his room. Piper and I were in the kitchen putting together a stir fry.
Simple moments. But we all needed this. To feel safe and do quiet, normal things.
“Interesting conversation with Danny at the hospital,” Piper said as she chopped a bell pepper. “He apologized to me and Ollie. I think he actually meant it.”
He better have, I thought, but just nodded. “Good. How are you feeling?”
“Sad,” she whispered. “Overwhelmed. But lucky too. Grateful you’re here.”
“No place I’d rather be.”
I hadn’t shared everything Danny told me with Piper yet. Later, after Ollie went to bed, we’d have time to sit and talk it all through.
“Dillon texted me earlier,” she said. “He’s with his mom. They’re mourning, of course. He’s not ready to see me again just yet, but he said he will. He doesn’t blame me for anything. He wanted to make sure I knew that. He’s nothing like Zach.”
I set down the spoon I’d been using to stir the vegetables. Wrapped both my arms around Piper.
Earlier today, we’d also received word that Officer Chad Bronski was suspended without pay for his involvement in placing the false report against me. I had no idea if he’d be fired orwhat. Honestly, I didn’t really care. Chief Nichols could deal with him.
Ashford had assured me he was spreading the truth far and wide: I was a good guy who’d gotten a bad rap. I’d reminded him I wasn’t entirely innocent. But he just countered thatnobodywas entirely innocent.
Ashford had also said he and Dane were looking into hiring a private investigator to go after Silas and Aaron Drummond. Maybe even clear my record. That seemed pretty far-fetched to me.
But if Ashford thought I was worth the effort, that meant a whole lot.
“Mom? Grayden?”
Piper and I separated, though we hadn’t been doing anything but hugging. Ollie stood near the kitchen island. We hadn’t even heard him approach.
