Chasing Destiny
Page 18
“Drink this before you have a stroke.”
I eyed her then took the glass from her hand, downing the contents. It burned, but did nothing to help my anger.
A knock sounded on the door.
“That’s either Eli or Miranda and Brad dropping Ava off.” I’d forgotten they were bringing their daughter over for a sleepover with Sage. They also had a baby, but I wasn’t watching him. I was done with the baby watching part of my life.
Kristin walked over to the door and opened it. “Hi,” Miranda said before they walked inside. Ava ran up the stairs toward Sage’s room and a couple seconds later, loud squealing filled the air.
“Hey, Carson,” Miranda told me before she sat down on the couch opposite me. Brad nodded before plopping down next to her.
“Hi.”
“Oh, are you sulking because your little girl is about to go on a date with Eli Morgan?” Miranda smirked at me, and then broke out into a giggle.
“You just wait,” I shot back at her.
Brad shook his head. “I don’t blame you. I’ll be a mess when that day comes. Hell, I’d be a lot more freaked out than you seem to be just knowing what that kid’s gene pool looks like.”
“Hey now,” Miranda piped up. “Mackenzie is his mom.”
“Thank God. Otherwise that kid wouldn’t stand a chance.”
Kristin sighed as she settled in beside me. “I think y’all are being a little too hard on Hayes. He’s a very successful prosecutor and has raised his kids to be well-mannered. I think he’s a great dad.”
Miranda nodded and I glared at her. “His kid is taking my daughter on a date! A fuckin’ date.”
At that moment, another knock sounded at the door. Kristin placed her arm in front of me, blocking me from getting up. “I’ll answer the door. You stay right here.”
I could hear Miranda and Brad snickering, but I didn’t look at them. My eyes were fixed on the door that little shit was about to walk through.
“Oh, hey. We weren’t expecting all of you.” Kristin moved over, holding the door open wider. A moment later, Hayes, Mackenzie, and Eli walked inside.
I glared at all three of them.
“Oh, stop it,” Mackenzie said as she settled in a chair. “I sat Eli down and he knows how to be respectful of Lilly.”
“Yeah, he better be.” I turned my attention toward him. “You mess with my daughter, try to touch her or kiss her, I’ll know and I’ll kill you.”
“Hey, now,” Brad stated. “I can’t be tolerating threats.”
“Oh, shut up, Detective.” He wasn’t a detective anymore, he’d moved up in the ranks over the years, but I still called him that.
“Look, Mr. Janson,” Eli finally said. “I promise I won’t do anything you wouldn’t like. I’m just taking Lilly out to dinner and a movie, nothing else.”
“That sounds wonderful,” Kristin stated just as Lilly stepped into the room. She looked grown up and I hated it. How was she sixteen already? It seemed like yesterday she was born and my life had changed for the better. I was still so thankful that douchebag painter had signed his rights over after she was born. If he hadn’t, I would have never been able to adopt Lilly after I married Kristin. I would have still treated Lilly the same and been a great stepdad to her, but I loved that she was legally my little girl. I loved even more that she knew the truth about her biological father but still claimed me as her one and only dad. I owed that doodling shithead more than he’d ever know.
“Hi,” Eli said, walking over to Lilly. I wanted to get up and stand between them, but knew I couldn’t. For as big of a fit as I was throwing, I had to let her grow up. And if I was being honest, I liked Eli. I liked him a lot. I was just using the excuse of Hayes being his dad because I couldn’t handle the fact that my little girl was going out on a date.
He said something to her I couldn’t hear and she smiled. They both turned toward the rest of us in the room and her eyes landed on me. “We’re going to take off now.”
I sighed and stood up. I didn’t care that I looked like a sap, I needed to hug her. And that was exactly what I did. I hugged her tight and gave her a kiss on the temple. “You have fun. I’ll be here if you need me.”
“I will, Dad. I love you.” I loved hearing her call me that.
“Love you, too, kiddo.”
I watched Eli take her hand and they walked out the door. Lilly might not have been my biological daughter, but she, along with her mom and sister, were my life—my heart.
“It’ll be okay,” Kristin said, wrapping her arms around me.
I nodded. She was right. It would be okay. Because no matter what, I’d always have her and our two daughters, and they’d always have me.
The End
Acknowledgements
First I want to say thank you to all of you readers! I can’t say thank you enough for picking up my work. It means everything to me.
To Carlos and our two boys: I love you so much! Thank you for supporting me and letting me live my dream.
A big, huge thank you to Monica Black, my editor. You are amazing! You take my words and make them so much better. And your comments are hilarious!
I also need to thank my amazing beta readers, Raj Billa, Lisa Kane, and Jessi Gibson. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your input and the fact that you were willing to read through my first draft. I seriously owe y’all a medal!
And of course a huge thank you for all of the bloggers, readers, and fellow authors that shared Chasing Destiny and the entire series! Your support means the world to me!
About the Author
J.D. Rivera lives in Oklahoma with her husband and two boys. Her life consists of school projects, homework, cartoon shows, and little league sports. She loves Diet Mountain Dew, the OKC Thunder, costume jewelry, the beach, and reading.
Ways to connect:
www.facebook.com/writerjdrivera
www.twitter.com/writerjdrivera
www.instagram.com/writerjdrivera
www.authorjdrivera.com
And feel free to send any emails to: writerjdrivera@gmail.com
Other Books by J.D. Rivera
Chasing the Stars
(Hayes and Mackenzie)
Chasing Each Other
(Miranda and Brad)
Chasing Forevermore
(Hayes and Mackenzie)
Defensive (with the novella Guarded)
Always Friends
Always Us