“I’m fine, sweetheart,” I manage, brushing her hair back. My voice sounds too rough, even to my own ears. “Daddy’s just… tired. Nobody’s died. Everything’s fine. I promise.”
She tilts her head, eyes narrowing like she knows a lie when she hears one. She’s too smart for her own good. “I heard Miss Sparks say she couldn’t see you tonight. I don’t want you to be on your own.”
“I won’t be on my own. I’m going out with Phoenix instead.” I make a mental note to text the guys later. Maybe there’ll be some distractions at the bar tonight. Anything beats staying here alone.
“Go on,” I whisper, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “You’ll have a good time with Nannan and Grandad. I’ll be right here when you get back.”
Her arms lock around my neck in a tight squeeze. “Promise you’re okay?”
I hug her back, holding on longer than I should. “Promise, bug.”
Anyone going out tonight?
Phoenix: What happened to your date?
Cancelled, mate.
Bear: Cancelled? You wore her out already? She needs a break from dragon boy?
Hollywood: Don’t tell me Miss Sparks gave you detention already.
Bear: What did you do, dragon boy? Accidentally set the school sprinklers off?
Hollywood: Nah, bet he got caught playing tonsil hockey with Miss Sparks behind the bike sheds.
Very funny.
Hollywood: Bro, you can’t hide it. The whole damn station saw you blushing like a schoolgirl this morning.
Bear: Every morning
Bear: I give it a month before he proposes.
Phoenix: A month? More like a week. The man’s whipped.
I’m not hanging with you lot if I’m gonna get roasted all night.
Hollywood: Don’t bother. We’ll just show up at your house.
Bear: With pizza.
Phoenix: Thought she was cooking for you tonight?
Plans changed. Drop it.
Bear: Translation: “She dumped him.”
Hollywood: Savage. You want us to bring tissues or tequila?
Phoenix: Ignore them. I’ll swing by with beers. You in or what?
Yeah. Just bring the beer.
Hollywood: And tissues, maybe lotion too, in case he needs them for his lonely night.
Phoenix: I’ll see you soon.
The doorbell rings ten minutes later. Nannan and Grandad sweep Sienna away in a flurry of hugs, chatter about pancakes, and promises of ice cream. She clings to me again at the door, whispering in my ear, “Don’t be sad, Daddy. I’ll be back tomorrow.”
