I also check in with Eagle to see how her court case is going pretty regularly. There’s a custody hearing coming up in two weeks. I have to swallow enough of my pride. I need to quit being a damn coward because I will have to face her tomorrow. I’m being stupid, but fuck, it hurt that she basically told me she didn’t want me helping her and doing shit for her. In my defense, there’s only so many times you can hear the woman you love call you her friend.
I actually have a couple of prospects there today cleaning around her house and helping her set up for Cammie’s birthday party tomorrow. I know she’s nervous about it, because Eagletold me that Dane and his new bitch will be dropping by. I need to find something on that son of a bitch, so he leaves Daphne and her daughter alone. He’s slimy as fuck, so I have no doubt there are skeletons buried in his damn closet. I just need to find out how to uncover them.
Currently, I’m trying to resist the urge to kill Daphne’s dipshit dad. I’m not sure what his damage is but burying it in a bottle when his daughter is facing a custody hearing isnotalright with me. I’m trying not to air his dirty laundry because there’s a few prospects around here, along with Apex. We also have a visitor from the Kings of Anarchy—Candyman. I don’t want him to see our issues, but I can’t keep holding my damn mouth either. I’m going to beat some damn sense into this asshole or kill him. Those are the only options that seem to be available to me.
“Sabre, man. Why don’t we go and get some dinner?” I suggest. Candyman’s face is making it clear he’s worried about the way the son-of-a-bitch is burying himself in a bottle, too.
“I’m good,” Sabre slurs.
“Man, you are supposed to go to Daphne’s tomorrow for little Cammie’s birthday party. You show up with a hangover and she will have your ass.”
“I’m not going to go,” Sabre says, not bothering to look up from his drink. My hand shakes with the need to slap the asshole.
“Bullshit. You’re going if I have to drag you there myself. Cammie loves her papaw, and you will not break that little girl’s heart,” I bark.
“Since when did you get so close to my family?” Sabre asks, annoyed as fuck.
“Drew asked me to check in on them,” I reply, feeling heat gather on the base of my neck. I can feel eyes on me, and I don’t like it.
“What the fuck for? That’s not your place,” Sabre barks.
“The only other person he could ask would be you, and Drew didn’t figure your head was out of your ass enough to ask.”
“Daphne’s married. She and Cammie are fine. I didn’t like her marrying that asshole, but he’s been good to her and Cammie. He’s spoiled them both rotten.”
“That asshole isn’t doing shit for them. You really need to get your head out of your ass,” I growl, completely disgusted.
“You need to tell me whatever the fuck you’re talking about.”
“Stop feeling sorry for yourself and call Drew. You and Annie might be done, but you still have a family, asshole—a good one. Get your shit together before you really do lose everything,” I demand, before stomping off.
“Wait up, motherfucker. You and I are going to talk,” I hear Sabre say, but honest-to-God, I can’t talk anymore with him right now. I’ll wake his hungover ass up early in the morning and make sure he’s ready to head to the party with me. We can talk then. Jesus, I could really use having Daphne around me right now. She calms me. I don’t have her, and I can’t—at least not like I want to. I need to realize that and quit dreaming for the impossible. With that thought I head out to my bike. Maybe the feel of the wind and fresh air on my face will help to calm me.It sure as hell can’t hurt.
Chapter 10
Daphne
“There you go,beautiful. Your hair is all done,” I murmur as I finish braiding Cammie’s hair.”
She stands up in front of the mirror and twirls around in her pretty, pink dress that poofs at the bottom and sways with her movement. “Am I pretty, Mama?”
I smile, despite feeling sorrow so deep that it’s hard to breathe. “You’re the most beautiful little girl that I’ve ever seen,” I tell her truthfully.
“Will Pez wike my dress?” she asks innocently.
My heart pains me for a minute, but I shake it off. “Sweetheart, we don’t even know if he’ll be at your party today,” I caution her.
“He will! He told me. He’s gonna bring Papaw, too.”
“Honey, Papaw isn’t coming.”
“He will! Pez said it! He don’t lie, Mama.”
I want to argue further, but it’s upsetting her, and I want her happy for her party. It’s going to be hard enough to see that asshole I once was married to. I’m not sure what I’ll do if Serena is with him. It will be easier if Eli is here. It feels like forever since I’d seen him last, and I really miss him. I know I hurt him by turning down his offer. By the time we made it back he didn’teven bother to get out of the truck. I knew then that I’d probably not see him again. It hurt more than I can express. I’ve cried late at night when I was alone. It did make me feel good that he didn’t abandon Cammie, yet somehow as grateful as I was, it made the fact that he was just avoiding me hurt so much more. I’ve missed him so much that I almost called him and told him I was sorry and would take the building. I just couldn’t bring myself to do it, though. It felt too much like I was using him. I’ve got to find a way to make him see that I miss him without coming off as desperate though.
I just don’t know how.
I take Cammie into the living room to play with her blocks. I smile at Ms. Grayson, and she gives me a wink as she starts playing with my girl. I try to ignore the way my palms are sweating. I hope Cammie is right and Eli does show up for the party. It’s embarrassing to admit, but I’m kind of afraid to face Dane and Serena on my own. I feel like Dane is replacing everything I ever was. Heck, he’s already made Serena his secretary at work. I was barely allowed to go to his office.
