“Hello?”
“Hey, we found Adam,” JT says.
“Where?”
“Florida.”
“Good. Make sure the fucker stays there.”
40
ASH
OCTOBER PRESENT DAY
Gabriel and I have fallen into an easy routine. He comes over once a week for dinner and calls Maggie a couple times a week. It’s not much, but it’s all I’ve offered. Things have gotten less awkward, and Maggie adores him. She asks every day when she gets to see him again. I think it’s started to heal something I didn’t know was wounded.
She’s sitting on the couch, waiting for her dad to pick her up with her pink sparkly backpack. He’s already twenty minutes late when my phone dings with a text.
Sorry. Stuck at work. Not gonna make it. Kiss Maggie for me.
“Motherfucker,” I murmur so she can’t hear me.
Looking back at me with sad eyes, she says, “He’s not coming, is he?”
“No. He had something come up with work. I’m sorry, Bug.” I move to sit beside her and pull her onto my lap.
“He never wants me anymore.” A tear rolls down her cheek.
I hate this. I know what that feels like. I spent most of my childhood feeling unwanted, and I hate that I’ve allowed her to get close to someone who would make her feel that way.
“That’s not true. He loves you.” I squeeze her. “He’s just busy.”
She shakes her head. “I wish I had a daddy here all the time.”
I run a hand down her back. “I know, baby.”
What do you say to that? I wish she had a dad here all the time too. Guilt starts to prick at my heart because I can’t help but feel like I’m the reason she doesn’t.
“I wish Gabriel was my daddy.”
I go completely still.
I’ve been debating whether I should tell her. I would’ve already, but I don’t want her to get her hopes up if he can’t be in her life.
But the thing is, he shows up.He shows up every single time.
He doesn’t miss a week, even when I’ve had to reschedule. He rearranges his life to be here, but I worry he won’t always do that. What if the club gets busy? Will he still show up then?
After a few minutes, she crawls off my lap, giving me a sad smile before heading to her room to play.
This might be a bad idea, but I pick up my phone.
He answers on the second ring. “Hello?”
“Hey, I know it’s such short notice, but Maggie’s having kind of a rough morning. Are you busy?”
It’s Saturday. I’m sure Gabriel has shit going on, but I had to try.
