And don’t get me wrong, Randy is a nice guy, I suppose, but he’s not her father. I am. I don’t want to be replaced.
“First thing.” Randy grips my shoulder as if he’s trying to comfort me, and my entire body tenses. I kind of want to rip his hand right off his body, and as if Jackson picks up on it from across the fire, he’s there in one second flat.
“Hey, buddy. Do a shot with me.”
“Sure,” I say, my jaw ticking with the anger I manage to keep at bay, excusing myself from Shelly and Randy and walking off with Jackson. “Thanks,” I say when Jackson pours a shot of whiskey.
He clinks his shot glass with mine. “No problem. Didn’t think Travis and Oakley would appreciate you drawing blood at their house. Though we are outside at least.”
“I’m not a violent man,” I say, tossing back the shot at the same time he does, letting it burn just right on the way down.
“No, of course not,” he says with a laugh, placing his shot glass down on the table. “What was that about?”
“Nothing. Just discussing morning plans,” I say, going to pour another shot, but he stops me, taking the bottle.
“One to take the edge off.” He places the bottle down on the table. “Not to get shitfaced. I’m assuming your morning plans involve an adorable curly-headed blonde.”
I grin at that, looking over at Amber, who’s dancing with Oakley and Walker near the fire. Fuck, I hope they keep her away from the flames and watch her. I try not to let that worry overtake me to the point of going over there myself. I’ve had this talk with Shelly a few times lately—letting her explore the world and not worrying so much.
It’s easy for her to say though. Shelly’s with her most of the time. I’m not.
“It does.”
“So then what’s wrong?”
I huff, annoyed, just thinking about it. “I won’t be there in the morning when she first wakes up.” I try to keep my voice down. I know Shelly still cares about me, and I don’t want her upset because I’m upset. I don’t want to ruin her Christmas.
“That has to be hard, man. I’m sorry. But she’ll be at your house tomorrow, right?”
“Yeah. They said they’ll bring her over.” I try not to sound bitter.
“So make it great when she is there. I know it’s hard to miss out on some things, but that’s not what she’s going to remember.”
“You sure about that?” I look at him, my insecurities bubbling up. “Because all I can think about is the times I’m not with her.”
“And that’s your first mistake. Trust me on this. She’s going to remember when youwerethere, if you do it right. That little girl knows how loved she is. Believe me.”
I look over at her, tugging on Oakley’s arm. “Come on, Uncle Oakley! I want to open presents!”
“That’s up to your parents, kiddo.”
Who knew Oakley had boundaries?
I look back at Jackson. “You’re right.”
“I usually am,” he says confidently.
“So since we aired out all my shit, we gonna talk about Rebecca now?” I’m nice enough to keep my voice down since Rebecca is standing outside, just not near us.Because why would she be around her date, right?
“You and Archie need a new hobby,” he grumbles, but he’s off the hook fairly quickly because Amber has convinced the party to move inside to open presents.
And I can do nothing but smile as I watch my little girl be spoiled by literally every single guest at the party.
She really does have everyone wrapped around her tiny little finger. There are kid tool belts with play tools, and dolls. Even a refinished vanity from Cane. They all know her so well.
“Hey...” I hear Shelly’s soft voice and look next to me, seeing she’s sidled up to watch at my side. “You know how much she loves you, right?”
“I love her,” I say, the words barely making it out of my mouth.
