“Okay, but could I have a peppermint stick this time?”
“Yes. You can.” I let out a long sigh. The year before, I hadn’t let her have the peppermint stick because it would have spoiled her dinner, but apparently, she still hadn’t forgiven me for it.
“I’m taking Mystery with me, too. And she wants to sit on the table next to my plate.”
“Why would she want to do that?” I held my breath, thinking of David. I hadn’t told her yet, still hoping he was going to call, but she didn’t even mention him.
“She can eat all of my cranberry sauce.”
“Makes sense. Finish your waffles, and then go put on the clothes I laid out. I want you to wear your heaviest coat, too. It’s supposed to be much colder tonight, and I’m sure we’ll still be over there after dark.”
“Can I wear my pink hat and scarf, too?” She nibbled her waffle and gave me a bored look. She was still tired.
“Sure.”
Sierra finished her food and retreated to her room to get ready. I turned to gather my things, knowing it wouldn’t be long before we left, and that was when Sierra let out a blood-curdling scream that had me sprinting to her bedroom.
She turned and looked at me, her mouth still wide open, and big, fat tears in her eyes.
“What’s the matter, honey?” I knelt down in front of her, but she shook her head and closed her eyes.
“I left my bag at Daddy’s.” She sniffled and wiped her eyes.
“Well, you can get it another time.”
“My hat and scarf were in it, along with Mystery. She’ll starve if I don’t feed her, and she’s scared and alone.”
“She’ll be fine, honey. She’ll think she’s hibernating for the winter. It will be okay.”
“Could you call Daddy and ask him if we can come get her?”
I would have rather take a steak knife to my eyeball than call my ex on a holiday, but I knew he was supposed to be headed our way to see Cindy’s mother.
“Please, Mama.”
Knowing David was already going to break her heart, I knew I couldn’t ignore her pleas for Mystery. She loved that bear and carried it around with her constantly. The only reason she hadn’t noticed it missing is she’d fallen asleep, and I’d carried her from the car to the bed.
“Fine. Let me call, but you ask, okay? He’ll most likely do it for you.” I didn’t want to hear him bitching or say no just to spite me.
Sierra called. For some reason, she’d caught him in a good mood, and he agreed to bring her bag over to my mother’s house. By the time we were in the car, Sierra was in a much better mood.
“Are we going to play games after dinner?” she asked.
It had been a holiday tradition to play a few games of cards with her and then have dessert. After, we’d all go up to the attic to take down the Christmas decorations.
“We might.” I hated to make promises and then have no one want to play them with her.
“Are we going to put up the tree?” She was ticking off questions like she’d written a list.
“I’m sure we will.” Any minute, I expected her to bring up David and ask if he was going to play or help us with the tree, but she didn’t.
We got to my parents’ house just after nine. My mother and I spent the next several hours in the kitchen, making more food than we’d be able to eat in a week, while Sierra and my father got a head start on the Christmas decorations in the attic.
“Do you think David will want cranberry sauce, too?” my mother asked. “I hate to make it if it’s just me and your father eating it again this year.”
“He’s not going to come. He’s busy with Blaine upstate, and he’s not going to be done in time.” My clipped and bitter tone made my feelings about that apparent.
“You two aren’t fighting, are you?” She slung a dishrag over her shoulder and took a knife from the block.
“No, ma’am. There’s nothing to fight about. I know he needs to help his brother, but what really ticks me off is that he was supposed to call Sierra and he didn’t.”
“Well, maybe he got held up, honey. It’s bound to happen. Is there something wrong with Blaine?”
“No, not wrong per se, but he did get into a little trouble. I can’t really talk about it because of my job, but he got a DUI, and now he’s seeking treatment.” I remembered what he’d told me I could say and what I couldn’t. Even though it was my mom, I didn’t want her to repeat it to him and have him think I was running my mouth.
“Sounds like it’s serious. At least he’s there for his family.”
“I know, and when he said he wouldn’t make it, I understood. I really did. But then he said he’d talk to Sierra to tell her he wasn’t coming, and I really hoped he wouldn’t let her down.”
“I’m sure he wouldn’t if he could help it. He’s probably just got his hands full.” She finished chopping vegetables and arranged them on a small tray.
“Yeah, but I’m going to have to tell her before dinner. I’m waiting as long as possible. You should have seen her fall apart over her bear he bought her. If that’s any indication of how she’s going to flip out, then I’d rather not deal with it anytime soon.”
A loud noise came from above us. “Your father is going to fall through the upstairs ceiling if he’s not careful, and probably take Sierra down with him.”
“I better go and check on things.” My father was like a big kid, so I left Mom to tend to the food while I climbed the stairs and opened the door to the attic steps. “Everything okay up here?”
“Grandpa knocked over a whole stack of boxes,” Sierra said, laughing.
“Yeah. Let’s not tell your mother, though. I think some of them had her ornaments.” Dad had opened a few of the boxes to check them. “Nope, looks like we’re good. This was all the outdoor lights.”
I remembered when Dad and David had a competition to see who could put up more lights, and Dad had won.
“Are you putting any outside this year?” I asked.
“That depends. Maybe the DeVants want to go head to head again.” He chuckled, and I turned to see if Sierra had heard him. She was busy looking through a box, and I wasn’t sure if she’d learned their last name anyway.
I cleared my throat. “I don’t know about that. They’re probably scared from the last time. Dinner shouldn’t be too much longer. You two might want to come down and get yourselves cleaned up.”
There was a bit of dust on the boxes and in the air. I hoped my allergies would survive the assault, but if I had to miss work for being sick, it would be about right. It seemed there were always some cosmic forces keeping us apart, so why not a little dust?
Sierra hurried down out of the attic, and I helped my father restack some of the fallen boxes. I didn’t want him throwing out his back. We headed down together, and when we got back downstairs, my father peeked into the kitchen and walked over to the stove to peek inside the foil, where Mom had left the turkey.
“Get out of that!” she said without even looking.
He chuckled. “I swear, never marry a school teacher. She’s got eyes in the back of her head.”
She hadn’t taught in ages, but I’d heard the joke every year when he’d get caught doing the same thing.
“Do you really, Grandma?” Sierra’s eyes were wide, and she stared at the back of my mother’s head.
“I’ll never tell.” She gave Sierra a wink.
“It’s a figure of speech, honey,” I said. “It doesn’t mean she really does. We’ve talked about other things that are the same way, right?”
“Yes, Mama. Like when you and Katrina were talking, and she said that David was hot. She didn’t really mean he had a fever. She meant that he’s really good-looking, right?”
My father belted out a laugh, and my mother covered her mouth and shook her head. “She doesn’t miss a beat, does she?”
“It’s not polite to tell other people’s conversations,” I said.
“Sorry, Mama.” She gave a
shy grin and shrugged.
My mother cleared her throat and gestured to Sierra. I knew that look. She wanted me to go ahead and tell Sierra about David. And even though I wanted to, it was going to be tough. I didn’t want her to stop seeing him as that hero figure in her life. The one who’d not only saved the day with Career Day but who had come to Thanksgiving dinner just like he’d promised.
“Dinner is almost ready, Sierra,” I said instead. “You should go upstairs and get cleaned up like I asked.”
“Come on, kid. Let’s go wash our hands.” My father took her hand and led her down the hall to the guest bathroom where my mother didn’t like anyone using the sink or her decorative soaps and towels, but she didn’t say a word. She was too busy giving me a hard look.
“You need to tell her when she gets back, dear. It’s not right to make her sit down and wonder where he is. Besides, if she’s going to be upset, we don’t want to spoil her dinner.”
I knew she was right. I heard Sierra run down the stairs and past the kitchen, and I let out a long breath, preparing myself for the worst.
“Honey, we need to talk.” I caught her opening the door, but before I could stop her, she ran outside. “Sierra!”
“He’s here, Mama! He’s here!”
I rushed out to see David’s shiny, black Cobra sitting in the driveway. He got out with a big grin on his face.
“There’s my two favorite girls,” he said as he held out his arms.
My heart melted.
Chapter 23
David
Allison and Sierra fell into my arms, and suddenly, it felt as though everything was right in the world. I knew I’d not only made Sierra happy but surprised Allison by showing up.
“I hope it’s still okay to come,” I said. “I wanted to call, but my phone’s been dead, and I left my charger in the hotel room.”
Allison’s eyes sparkled. “It’s perfect! I was so mad at you.”
“I’m sorry if you had to tell her I wasn’t going to show up. I didn’t mean to put you in that position.” I could kick myself for not calling from back at the hotel, but I’d been in such a hurry to make it back that I didn’t think to do it.
“No, I actually just got up the nerve, and here you are, so crisis averted.” She seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, and then I felt a little hand tug on my belt.
“David, we’re having turkey like everyone else.” Sierra seemed excited over the traditional dinner concept, so I decided to entertain her.
“Well, that’s great. I love turkey.” I leaned over, and she wrapped her arms around my neck and squeezed it.
“I do, too, and my grandma didn’t make any cranberry this year.” She scrunched up her nose.
Allison led the way as we stepped up onto the porch. “She was going to, but she knows how much Sierra hates it.” She rolled her eyes, but I couldn’t help but think the child had my taste buds.
“Do you hate it?” I asked Allison, trying to remember if I’d ever seen her eat it over the years.
“I don’t hate it, but I could take it or leave it.” Her eyes narrowed. “I didn’t realize cranberry hate meant that much to you.” She chuckled, giving me the side eye.
I had to get out of my head with the comparisons, and I needed to talk to her as soon as possible about my suspicions, or else they’d make me crazy. Just because we liked and didn’t like the same things didn’t mean anything, just like Greyson had said, but the heart wanting something made it hard to be reasonable.
“You kids come on in,” Mrs. Beall said from the door. “Dinner is ready, and I don’t think I can keep my husband out of the turkey much longer.”
Sure enough, when we went inside the house, Allison’s father was standing in the kitchen, chewing and wiping his hands on a paper napkin. Allison’s mother just shook her head and put us to work setting the table. I had the honor of carrying the huge turkey, and when it came time to sit, the girls wanted me between them. I had a gorgeous woman on one side and the cutest kid ever on the other. Life couldn’t get any better.
I couldn’t take my eyes off of Allison and how great she looked in her jeans with her hair pulled up. The things I could do with that hair. I imagined myself fisting it in my hand and pulling her down onto my cock. Mrs. Beall cleared her throat and asked us to say grace, and I knew I was going to Hell. Now, it was official.
“Let’s all name something we’re thankful for,” Sierra said with a huge grin. “I’ll go first.” She turned her eyes to each one of us and then sat up straight in her chair. “I’m thankful for Mama, Grandma, Grandpa, and David.” Her giggle brought a smile to my face.
“I guess I’ll go next.” Allison cleared her throat and looked over at me. “I’m thankful for a wonderful new job and a wonderful boss. And for my loving family.” Her eyes twinkled.
She looked at me like I was supposed to go next, so I cleared my throat. “I’m thankful for old friendships rekindled and newfound friendships, too.” I looked back and forth between the girls.
Allison’s eyes burned into mine, and Sierra let out a soft giggle. Her parents went next, and when we were all done, we ate the delicious dinner. After we finished, we sat talking at the table until there was a knock at the door.
“I’ll get it!” Sierra jumped up, but Allison ran after her.
“Sierra, stop!” she scolded. “I’ve told you about running to the door. You don’t just open it up to anyone.” She walked to the door, and I watched her go, having a perfect view as she opened the door to find Doug standing on the other side of the threshold.
He was all smiles for his daughter, but his mood changed when he looked in and saw me. “What is he doing here?” He dropped Sierra’s bag on the floor and glared at me.
Allison forced a smile. “He’s a friend, and it’s not your concern.”
“I have a right to know who you’re bringing around my daughter.”
“David’s my friend, Daddy,” Sierra said. “He took me to Career Day.”
“Oh, did he?” Doug stepped into the house, and Allison stepped in his way.
Allison’s father stood, but I was already on my way past him.
“I got this.” The older man stayed with his wife, and I walked out onto the porch, pushing Doug out as I did. “Let’s take this outside.”
“Oh, look at this? Mr. Big Stuff, huh? You want to take this outside?” Doug walked out behind me and stopped in the yard. He was about three inches shorter, but he looked down at me like I was the smaller man.
Allison turned and brought Sierra into the house, and her mother rushed forward to take the little girl by the hand.
“You need to watch how you talk to Allison in front of her daughter,” I said. “As a matter of fact, you should just watch how you talk to Allison from now on, too.”
“I don’t give a shit about Allison,” he said. “She knows that, but you’re telling me how to act in front of my daughter. Who do you think you are? And taking her to school?” He looked around me to Allison as she hurried out of the house and stood between us. “You’re the same asshole, rich kid you were in school. You might think you could buy your way onto the teams, buy your popularity, maybe a piece of this slut’s ass, but you’ll never buy my daughter.”
Doug’s nostrils flared, and he stepped forward and swung. I ducked and caught his fist, twisting his arm behind his back.
“You need to leave, Doug,” I said. “Don’t make me kick your ass all over this fucking yard. Get in your fucking car and leave.”
I turned him loose, and his girl came running from their car.
“What’s going on, baby?” She glared at Allison, and then her eyes widened when she saw me.
“Get the fuck back in the car, Cindy.”
I had a feeling he didn’t talk to Cindy any better than he’d ever talked to Allison. She obeyed him like a dog and scampered away to stand by the car door and watch.
“If I ever hear of you treating Allison like shit again, I’ll break your fucking neck,�
� I said. “Are we clear, man?” I stared through him and thought of all the ways I’d like to end his life.
Doug looked like he was going to say something, but then his shoulders slumped, and all the fight went out of him. He slithered to his car, glaring at me and Allison the whole way, and then he and Cindy got in and drove away.
“Thank you, for sticking up for us,” Allison said. “I’m so sorry that had to happen. I really wanted today to be good.” She closed her eyes and drew in a deep breath.
“I’m sorry, too. The guy’s a fucking loser.” It suddenly really bothered me that Allison could ever be with that asshole. How could she expose our child to the likes of him? Sierra deserved better.
Allison opened her eyes and stepped closer, rubbing my shoulders. “Yeah, I know. Thanks for keeping it together while Sierra was out here. The last thing she needs is to see her father get his ass beat.” She turned and looked toward the house and then down to her feet.
All the past days, the images of Sierra’s dark blue eyes, the fun we’d had at Career Day, the oatmeal and cranberries. It all came to a head in the worst way possible. The question I’d been dying to ask came rushing out of me.
“Are you sure he’s her father?” I snapped at her a little harder than necessary, but Doug had gotten my temper up.
Her eyes widened. “What kind of question—”
“Because if Sierra is my daughter, you should have told me!” I pulled my lips in tight, wishing I’d controlled my temper better, but I couldn’t pull myself together. The adrenaline still rushing through my veins made it impossible for me to calm down.
Allison shook her head in bewilderment. “Do you really believe I would keep something like that from you? Do you think I’m some kind of monster?”
I took a deep breath, but it did nothing to still my jackhammering heart. “Look, I need you to tell me the truth.”
“I’ve never lied to you,” she said. “I got with Doug not long after you left.”
I snorted. “Yeah, and what the hell was that about? That guy’s a real piece of shit. I can’t believe you got back with him.”
Mister Big Stuff_A Single Mom Friends to Lovers Novel Page 14