Our Song

by Runow, Lauren

  The man I met has shown nothing but love and happiness for his daughter, yet his songs are full of pain and anguish.

  The more I pay attention, the more it makes me want to know his truth. I want to know the man who worked through this kind of pain to build the amazing life he has now. He must have amazing faith to never give up.

  After hopping out of the shower, I notice a text from Adam.

  Cailin and I are going to go to the park. Want to join us?

  Sure. I just got out of the shower. Give me a half hour, and then I’ll leave here and head your way.

  Shower … tell me more …

  I freeze, instantly turned on but at a complete loss of what to text back. I decide words can be overrated and just send him a winky-face emoji. When he replies back with the heart-eyes one, I put my hand over my mouth to hide my smile but feel my grin against my palm anyway.

  This feeling right here is what I need to remember. This is what it’s all about.

  Even more now that I genuinely like the guy. I’m really starting to fall for him, and I just have to have faith that I’m going down the right path.

  I arrive at his place forty-five minutes later, and to my surprise, the gate opens before I even press the button. Cailin comes running down the steps and meets me at my car.

  “Miss Russo!” she says as she wraps her arms around my legs.

  “Hi, sweetheart. Is your daddy in the house?”

  I hear his footsteps and glance up to see him in the doorway. This angle makes him look even taller how he takes up the entire frame. His hands are in his pockets as he nonchalantly stands there, though his face says anything but.

  His eyes are smoldering with the way they’re taking me in, and when his mouth parts slightly to let out the breath he’s holding, my heart begins to pound out of my chest.

  Our kiss replays in my head as we stare at each other. The way his mouth felt against mine, the heat radiating from his body as he pushed me against the door. When my lips part, I watch his tug into a slight grin.

  “Hi, Sarah,” he says, and I want to melt from the sound of my name on his tongue.

  Cailin grabs my arm and pulls me toward him. I’m thankful when my feet don’t give out on me, and I make it up the stairs.

  She lets go of my hand and runs into the house. “I’ll get my shoes on, and then we can go!” she yells, but neither one of us seems to care.

  I stare into his eyes, stuck in his trance. When his hands wrap on either side of the nape of my neck and pull me in for a kiss, I melt into him.

  The sweetest, most innocent touch filters through me as he presses his lips to mine, breathing me in and holding me there as his grip gets a little firmer.

  When he pulls back, he kisses my forehead, keeping me close to him before saying, “I’m glad you’re here.”

  I glance up to his piercing blues when I say, “Me too.”

  Cailin runs past us and toward his truck. “Let’s blow this popsicle stand!”

  A laugh escapes my lips. “Does she get these sayings from you?” I place my hand on his chest, feeling his heart thump.

  He grins, knowing I feel how I affect him, before he kisses my head and locks the door.

  He picks Cailin up and places her in the seat behind mine. When it’s my turn, he places his hands on my hips, lifting me before running them down my sides. His touch lights my insides on fire.

  While at the park, I watch as he swings on the swings and even goes down the slide with her. Their game of tag turns epic, and when he comes around the corner, tagging me and then running away, I join in on their fun, chasing Cailin around the play structure and into the toddler area.

  She’s hiding behind a giant turtle, not knowing I can see over the top of it, so I climb over it, tagging her before tickling her into a giggling fit.

  Adam comes running from the other side of the park. “Oh no, she got you! I’m coming to save the princess from the tickle monster.”

  We both laugh as Adam wraps his arms around me, swooping me up into him and swinging me around to the other side of the turtle. My cheeks start to ache from the laughter, and I can barely catch my breath.

  Adam places me down, making sure I’m secure on the ground before entangling his hand with mine. “Okay, us old people need a break. Go play while we sit on the bench over there.”

  Cailin jumps up and runs to where another kid has entered the playground.

  “You guys are so cute together,” I say.

  “So are you.”

  He walks us to a bench where he sits with his knee crossed over his leg and his arm draped across the back of the wood structure.

  We sit in silence until he inhales and turns to me. “I take it, you saw the news stories about you.” He exhales as he looks off in the distance. “I’m sorry you have to deal with that.”

  I turn to face him, not really sure what to say. I guess if I’m going to hang out with him, this is going to happen. I need him to know it’s okay, but I’m still not sure if it is. I don’t want my dad to find out this way, but I might not have a choice.

  He places his foot on the ground, resting his elbows on his thighs as he lets out a deep breath. “Just get ready for it, okay?”

  I place my hand on his arm, scooting closer to him. “For what?”

  “The haters.”

  I sigh, looking off into the distance, knowing they’ve already come out.

  “Believe me, people can be ruthless, and mean things are said about me every day. Now, their attention will be on you.” He turns his head slightly my way and glances at me through his lashes. “It’s hard when everywhere you look, people are talking about you. I just want to make sure you’re prepared.”

  I want to let out a nervous laugh but bite it back. After today, I know exactly what that feels like.

  I take a second, searching for Cailin. A group of moms who arrived just a few minutes ago are now gathering their kids to leave. I notice the glares we’re getting from a few of them over their shoulders.

  I see one mom yanking her daughter away from Cailin, saying they have to go even though that child is whining, saying they just got there.

  My vision goes to Adam’s, wondering if he’s seeing what I am. He doesn’t look my way, but when his eyes close and his head drops, it’s all the conformation I need. He saw it, too. They’re leaving because of him.

  The stupidity of people makes my blood boil. I place my hand in his, showing him I’m here and not going anywhere.

  There’s no doubt in my mind that both of them are worth it.

  I wrap my other hand around his arm, pulling myself even closer to him and leaning in to softly kiss him before whispering, “I can take it.”

  He moves his lips to touch mine again, and we hold it there for a few seconds, enjoying the feel of each other.

  17

  Sarah

  As I walk up to my classroom, Ashley’s mom is waiting for me. “Good morning, Mrs. Everson. How was your weekend?” I smile as I unlock the door.

  “Can I have a word with you?” Her expression is one that says I’m about to get an earful, but I’m not sure why. Her daughter is one of my better students.

  “Sure,” I respond, trying to stay positive as I swing open the door. “Come on in.”

  She steps in front of me and makes her way to my desk where she sets down her purse with a little more force than necessary.

  “What can I help you with?” I ask.

  If my mom taught me anything about how to deal with parents, it’s to keep calm, no matter how absurd they can be. And believe me, they can be absurd on so many levels.

  “I’m not comfortable with you being my daughter’s teacher anymore. So, I am removing her from your class. I wanted to make sure you knew exactly why.”

  Whoa, is she serious right now?

  I step up to my desk and see the way her jaw is locked and her fists are clamped together. She’s being very serious.

  I know this has to do with Adam, but agai
nst my better judgment, I ask, “Is there a problem? Did I do something wrong?”

  A smug, mean-girl look crosses her face, making me slightly step back. Her eyes narrow as she reaches into her purse and grabs a tabloid magazine, holding it out to me. “Do I really need to explain more?” she spits out.

  I grab the magazine that shows Adam, Cailin, and me at the zoo together. I flip through the pages, thinking they dug into my past and found nothing but lies that cover over the spreads, yet I find nothing. Only innocent, wholesome pictures of us spending the day at the zoo.

  I glance up as I hand it back. “I’m sorry. I don’t see what you mean.”

  “Are you dating this drug-infused, crazy madman?”

  I have to stop myself from laughing out loud. “Did you really just refer to him as a drug-infused, crazy madman?”

  She places her hands on her hips and quirks her head as she sneers, “Well, he is.”

  “Really? Says who?”

  Her eyes roll back, and my blood begins to boil.

  “Says everyone. The man is an out-of-control disgrace, and I don’t want my child anywhere around that.”

  “You do realize he is Cailin’s father, right?”

  “God, that poor girl. I doubt he’s had anything to do with her life. That’s the real reason he kept her a secret—because she was basically a secret to him too. I can only imagine how she’s being raised without a stable parent. Someone should be calling child protective services instead of being all infatuated with the two of you.”

  My chest pounds, and I have to take a deep breath before I truly give this parent a reason to remove her daughter from my class. I’m a very nonconfrontational person, but this woman is about to push me over the edge.

  I stand up straighter to make sure she knows I mean business. “You don’t know what you’re talking about. How would you feel if someone assumed things about you that weren’t true?”

  “But they are true. I can show you news story after news story to prove it. The man’s a menace, and he shouldn’t be allowed on school grounds. His songs are not appropriate, and don’t even get me started on his attire.”

  She shakes as if she’s disgusted, and I want to slap the smug look off her face.

  Instead, I stop and inhale a deep breath. The nerve of this woman. This is what Adam was talking about last night. I’ve experienced one side of the industry, but I never imagined how this side would be. Haters do come in all shapes and forms, and seeing this woman stand in my classroom makes me cringe for humanity even more.

  Her phone rings, making my eyes open wide in shock at her choice of songs for her ringtone. The song “I Don’t Mind” by Usher sings out as her ring tone. The irony is both humbling and sickening with the song lyrics referencing that just because she dances on a pole doesn’t mean she’s a ho.

  She reaches into her purse and silences the phone before turning back to me, completely unfazed at what just transpired.

  “Mrs. Everson, can I ask you a question?” I nonchalantly lean back on one of the desks.

  She eyes me. “What?” she asks nastily.

  “Are you a stripper for a living?”

  She looks appalled, and I have to bite my lip to hide the smile I want so bad to spread across my face, knowing I hit my target.

  “Are you against the dancing profession? I mean, you wouldn’t want your daughter to become a stripper, would you?”

  “I am disgusted you would talk about my daughter and even suggest her becoming an exotic dancer one day.” She grabs her purse and flings it over her back. “I will have your job. I’m going straight to the principal, to the school board if I have to. You’re finished.”

  I nod slowly, letting her think she’s got me. Once she gets to the door, I stop her. “You know, for someone who is so quick to judge who a person is by the way they act or are portrayed, maybe you should look at yourself and the ways you are influencing your daughter.”

  She spins with her lip turned up, just dying to bury me. “What are you talking about?”

  I stand and stroll toward her. “You came in here, assuming just because Adam Jacobson portrays a certain image to his fans that he’s not fit to be a dad. But I can tell you from firsthand experience that he is one of the best dads I’ve ever met, and Cailin is lucky to have him. His music has meaning. Have you ever actually listened to his songs? He talks about hardships and overcoming them to be a stronger person.”

  “What are you babbling about? You’re only trying to save his ass because my next call is to child services.”

  “So, you can truly stand there and say he’s not fit to be a dad? What if I said that about you solely based on your ringtone there?”

  She tilts her head and steps closer to me. “Seriously? My ringtone?”

  A small grin forms on my lips. “Yes, your ringtone that teaches your daughter it’s okay to be a stripper. What does he say? Go make that money? Now tell me, what kind of message is that teaching your daughter?”

  “Oh come on, it’s just a song, don’t be ridiculous.” She shakes her head, trying to blow me off.

  “How is that fair? You came in here, saying the same kind of things about Adam without knowing one bit about the person he actually is.”

  Her eyes narrow. I know she’s trying to find something to say but falling short.

  I purse my lips and nod my head as I talk down to her. “I’ll tell you what. You go actually listen to his lyrics and come back to me when you find something that’s degrading to women or involves sex or drinking, and then we can talk. Just because popular music glorifies partying and sex, it doesn’t make it right. Devil’s Breed might have a harsh approach, but their music helps heal people. You might actually find some happiness through their songs, so you don’t have to come in here, making unfounded claims against him as a person and a father.”

  Mrs. Everson swings around and yanks open the door with sheer force and storms out. At this point, I hope she does go to Principal McAllister because I got her so worked up that she’ll make a fool of herself.

  Once I’m alone, I inhale deeply, loving the rush pushing through my veins. I’ve never stood up to anyone like that. It feels amazing to actually say what I feel and fight for what I want.

  I’ve had conversations where, for days after, I go over every word said in my head, thinking about all the things I wish I’d said, but never once have I actually said it. There was no stopping me though.

  If anyone deserves to have someone fight for him, it’s Adam, especially when it comes to him being a father. I’ve totally fallen for him because of the man he is, not because of who he is in this world.

  More people need to see that man.

  18

  Adam

  “How was your day, Miss Russo?” I ask as I reach for her hand and place a kiss on her cheek when I arrive at her place to pick up Cailin from school. I love that I get to see her every day before and after school like this.

  Her head tilts to the side, giving me the cutest grin. “It was good. How about you?”

  I rub my thumb over her hand that’s still in mine. “Better now. I was hoping you’d come shopping with us tonight to pick up a costume for Halloween. Cailin wants to be Cinderella. Sounds like she has another idol to look up to.”

  Her expression as she glances over to Cailin is priceless. I know I’ve just met this woman, but knowing my daughter loves her only makes me fall harder.

  “Are you saying you’re her first idol?” she teases.

  “I’m her dad. Fuck yes, I’m her idol. I’m the man she’s going to judge every man against for the rest of her life.”

  Her eyes narrow. “Oh, really?”

  “Yes, really. I set the bar pretty high too.” I move closer, bringing her body into mine. Goddamn, she feels fucking good. “So, you’ll come?”

  She grins. “Yeah, I can come.”

  “Good. Then, dinner at my place too.” I leave her side before I have to adjust myself. “Ready, Cai?”

 
; She pops up from the puzzle she’s doing on the coffee table. “Are you coming shopping with us, Miss Russo?”

  “Sure am, sweetie. I’ll see you soon, okay?”

  Cailin runs over, wrapping her arms around Sarah to give her a hug. When she’s back standing next to me, I wink my good-bye.

  “See you in a few, Sarah.”

  I love the way her face flushes when I say her name. I can only imagine what that might look like when she’s under me.

  I force myself to leave before I do something very inappropriate.

  * * *

  We arrive at the Halloween store with my ball cap pulled low over my brow. Word’s obviously out that I live in town now, and people stare as we walk by. Thankfully, it’s a small town that’s off the beaten path, so the paparazzi isn’t as bad as it would be in a big city, but there are still people who break out their phones to take pics as we walk by.

  Cailin runs toward the kids section and searches for her costume. “What size am I, Daddy?” she asks as she picks up a Cinderella dress.

  I take it and hold it up to her body. “That looks about right.”

  Sarah laughs as she steps toward the rack. “That’s a large. She’s definitely a small.” She grabs a small one and holds it up to Cailin, proving I’m wrong.

  “See, that’s why we needed you to come with us.” I smirk, and she shakes her head in a chuckle.

  “Come on. They have a dressing room back here. We can try it on to make sure.” She leads Cailin toward the back where she gets her set up. “When you’re finished, just come out to show us. We’ll be right outside.”

  I place my arm around Sarah’s shoulders from behind when she joins me, and I love the way she leans against my chest, like it’s something she’s done a hundred times.

  When Cailin comes out, my heart stops at the precious blue dress that falls down to her ankles.