“In your bathtub?” Grinning wickedly, Ivy slides her hand down my chest, under the water, along my abdomen, and pauses at my lower belly.

  “You know what I mean.” I lean back, widening my legs, inviting her to continue her journey. “I never stopped loving you. I never stopped holding out hope that we’d be together. I still have that pact we wrote.”

  Her hand stills. “You do?”

  “In a box in my closet. Wanna see it?”

  “I do.” She wraps her hand around my swelling cock. “But there’s something else I wanna see first.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

  Ivy

  I sit down for lunch in the break room at work and open my bag, humming happily to myself as I set plastic containers of food on the table. My phone buzzes with a call and I check the screen, hoping to see Micah’s smiling face, but my heart sinks when I see it’s Nell’s school calling. I immediately conjure up images of broken bones and missing teeth after another failed attempt at flying off the monkey bars. What will that awful nurse say this time? Will she insult my parenting? My daughter’s energy and imagination? Or both?

  Bracing myself, I accept the call.

  “Miss Cole?” says an unfamiliar female voice. Professional. Concerned.

  I sit up straighter. “This is her.”

  “I’m Nadine Murphy, the assistant principal at Oceanview Elementary. How are you this afternoon?”

  Significantly less okay than I was a few minutes ago, I think, but instead say, “I’m doing well. Thank you. How are you?”

  “I have Penelope in my office today.”

  My appetite immediately disappears. Nell’s in the principal’s office? What in the world happened?

  I open my mouth but none of the questions I want to ask come out. Thankfully, Nadine hurries on, filling my stunned silence with information. “There’s no need to worry. She’s not injured, but you should be aware she was involved in an altercation with another student today.”

  “An altercation?”

  As in fighting? My sweet little girl was in a fight?

  This is a phone call I never thought I’d get. A situation I never anticipated. I set my fork down and push my lunch out of the way to rest an elbow on the table and my head in my hand.

  “She and a little boy in her class got into an argument about your living arrangement. Things escalated and the little boy pushed her. Instead of stopping there and being the bigger person, Nell pushed him back.”

  “I’m sorry,” I say, pinching my forehead with my thumb and fingers. “I have so many questions; I don’t know where to start.”

  “That’s totally understandable. I’ll give you the information I have and if you still have questions when I’m done, I’m happy to answer them. I’ve spoken to both students separately and heard their version of what happened. There isn’t much discrepancy between the two, so it’s safe to take Nell’s story at face value. I’ll let her explain herself when she gets home, but it sounds like the other child made a comment about you two living with a man she just met. Nell asserted this man is her father, the other child called her a liar and Nell called him a name, which resulted in him pushing her, and her pushing back.”

  “He is her father,” I say, reflexively.

  Nell can’t stand not being believed. I’ve always attributed it to her love of heroes, just like her urge to take flight. Whoever this little boy is pushed two of her biggest buttons in a row. First, he made fun of her for just meeting her father, then he called her a liar. Given the situation, I’m relieved she stopped at name-calling and pushing, though I’d never say that to the assistant principal.

  “That’s all well and good, Miss Cole, and it’s certainly not for me to judge. All families are beautiful in their own way. Unfortunately, we have a zero-tolerance policy on bullying, and we take that policy very seriously. Because Nell physically pushed another child, she’s been assigned in-school suspension for two days.”

  “In-school suspension?” My jaw drops. “And the other kid? He’s suspended too, I assume. He pushed her first…” I don’t know why it matters that both children have the same consequences, but it does. Nell’s a good girl…

  “I can’t discuss those details with you due to confidentiality laws, but rest assured, the problem will be handled.” The assistant principal takes a breath then, “Nell’s very upset over this.”

  “I’m sure she is. She’s never been in any real trouble in her life, and she hates injustice.” I struggle with my mama bear instincts. Is this injustice? Her getting in trouble for defending herself? Or is it better she learns that putting your hands on someone in anger is bad, no matter the reason?

  “After some discussion with her teachers, we think it’s best if she takes the rest of the day off because of her emotional state. She’ll be waiting in the office for you to pick her up.”

  Nadine doesn’t ask if I’m able to pick her up. She doesn’t extend the option to let Nell rest in the office until she’s feeling better and then head back to class. There’s just the assumption that I can drop everything to bring her home.

  Sighing, I place my lunch back in my bag. “Okay. Thank you so much for letting me know.”

  “You’re welcome, Miss Cole. I’ll be sure to call if anything changes.”

  I thank the woman again and end the call, then stare at my phone in shock. My little girl is facing disciplinary action. The little girl who is sweet and kind and maybe a little vivacious, but has never been in any real trouble in her life.

  What crazy, upside-down world am I living in?

  I explain the situation to my boss and ask for the afternoon off. She’s understanding though annoyed, her thick eyebrows drawing together as she folds her hands together.

  “I promise this isn’t typical,” I assure her. “Nell never gets into trouble.”

  “My kids are grown, but one thing remains constant. Just when you think you’ve got everything figured out, they hit you with a curveball.” She smiles and pats my hand. “Take care of her, and take care of you. These surprises can be just as hard on us parents as they are on the kids.”

  “Thank you so much for understanding,” I say, then gather my things and head for the door. My phone buzzes in my pocket as I step outside, and I curse when I see a text from Julian. He’s the last person I want to hear from right now.

  Julian

  I need your address. All your stuff is still here and I’m tired of looking at it. I’ll either sell it or ship it. Your choice.

  With my mind entirely focused on my daughter, I shoot him Micah’s address, then climb into my rust bucket and hit the road.

  CHAPTER THIRTY-TWO

  Micah

  First a little lunch—leftover Cajun from last night—then a swim. Then a shower and a shave and I’ll head to Tucker’s before Ivy and Nell get home from work and school. Pretty much a perfect plan for a perfect day.

  I sit at the table and stab a shrimp with my fork, but the front door cracks open and in step Ivy and Nell before I take a bite. Ivy looks shell shocked and Nell’s face is streaked with tears. Her shoulders are slumped and her bookbag seems too big on her little frame. She swings it off her shoulder and props it against the wall, looking sadder than sad.

  “What happened, Lightning Girl?” I stand from the table and cross the room, as if the simple act of being closer will solve whatever happened to my girls today. “Are you two okay?” I ask, with a quick glance to Ivy who grimaces and shakes her head.

  Okay, then. Shit. I brace myself for everything from Nell getting picked on for her love of superheroes to Ivy deciding to return to that asshole in Seattle.

  “Giuseppe said mean things about me,” Nell says, her bottom lip quivering as she steps into my outstretched arms. “Then he said I was a liar when I told him you’re my daddy, even though he knows we’re basically twins! He’s the one that even said it first, ‘member? So I called him Pee Pee Fingers, so he pushed me and I pushed him back and now I’m sup-spended.” Her bottom lip wobbles pitifully as tears well in her eyes so like mine.

  “Suspended,” Ivy corrects, gently patting her daughter’s head as tears roll down Nell’s face. “Two days of in-school.”

  “That’s not so bad,” I begin but catch myself. Just because I had worse punishments in my day doesn’t mean I should belittle Nell’s experience by comparing it to my own. There will be time to talk about my many trips to the principal’s office when she’s older and not so upset.

  I replay Nell’s story in my head.

  Wow. Actually, considering the circumstances, her punishment seems harsh.

  “But how does that make sense, anyway?” I kiss the top of Nell’s head and stand, a protective urge rising inside me. “A suspension because she pushed a kid who pushed her first?”

  “Oceanview Elementary has a zero-tolerance bullying policy.” Ivy shrugs, looking conflicted on the matter and I get that. I really do.

  “But I’m not a bully!” Nell cries, her face crumpling. “Giuseppe is! He picks on everyone all the time. But not me! I’ve never bullied anyone. Right?”

  I crouch to pull Nell back into an embrace, running my hand over her head while she cries into my shoulder. “It’s okay, LG.” I rub her little back and try to decide if a phone call to the principal would do any good. “It’s okay.”

  “I didn’t mean to be a bully,” she whimpers. “I fight for good, not evil. Like you, Captain.”

  My daughter pulls back to look me in the eye, begging me to take her side. I remember that look all too well, though I’ve never been on the receiving end of it. Throughout my childhood, I was the one looking at my mom or dad like that, certain that because I hadn’t acted with malicious intent, I hadn’t done anything wrong.

  “You’re a good girl, LG, but even good people make mistakes. Sometimes we have to remember to take a breath before we act. That breath gives us a chance to make the best choice.”

  Her shoulders slump and her frown deepens.

  “I’m not saying this kid didn’t deserve to be called Pee Pee Fingers,” I say with a smile, “but maybe, if you’d given yourself a chance, you wouldn’t have pushed him after he pushed you.” I look to Ivy because I have no clue if what I’m saying makes any sense or is even close to the right thing to say in this situation.

  She’s watching us with a strange smile and watery eyes.

  “Thank you,” she mouths, her hand on her heart.

  We calm Nell down and she heads to her room to read her comic books, while Ivy and I sit down to my forgotten lunch.

  “You’re a good dad,” Ivy says. “Julian would have belittled Nell. Then punished her. There would have been screaming and then this awful cold silence that made the whole house feel like a warzone instead of…” She dips her head toward her shoulder. “This feels more like the way a family should feel.”

  What is it with this guy? Is he trying to be the biggest dickhead in the world? Or does he just come by it naturally? It’s getting really hard to tell. Besides, if anyone needs screamed at, it’s the school. The punishment is too harsh for the crime.

  “That’s the way my parents handled me,” I say. “Firm, but gentle. Mistakes were learning experiences instead of catastrophes.”

  “I remember.” Ivy smiles in that adorable way of hers. “Dad swore they were too easy with you, which was why you kept getting in trouble.”

  “I don’t know. Maybe. Though I always thought the reason I was able to get my life together as well as I have is because they guided me through my shitty choices with my self-worth intact.”

  By comparison, Ivy, who never got into any trouble, has a heart covered in scars and so little confidence she’s unable to stand up for herself. It’s not right.

  I take her hand and press it to my lips, my mind replaying the story of Nell’s no good, very bad, awful day. “If they gave her in-school suspension, why are you guys home so early? Shouldn’t she be, you know, in school?”

  Ivy visibly deflates, her gaze darting around the room like she’s nervous, looking for exits and planning her strategy to reach them. “Nell was super upset over getting in trouble and couldn’t calm down. The school thought it best she takes the rest of the day off for mental health. My boss was cool about it, but also not exactly thrilled. This is one of those reasons Julian said I shouldn’t bother with a job in the first place. It kills me that he was right.”

  How in the world is that asshole still in her head? For that matter, why is she still so intent on doing everything by herself? Anger flares, but I take that breath I suggested to Nell.

  “Why didn’t you call me?” I fold my elbows on the table and lean forward. “I was home. I could have picked her up.”

  Because she didn’t think you could handle the situation, whispers a cruel voice.

  Ivy looks stunned by the suggestion. “Honestly, I didn’t even think about it. I’m so used to doing everything for her myself.”

  Well, fuck.

  I didn’t even cross her mind during a crisis.

  That’s a punch to the gut I wasn’t prepared for.

  What more do I need to say or do to prove that I’m here, ready to make her life easier, ready to help with our daughter as much as I can? I’m ready to be a parent, a partner, but Ivy’s determined to do everything on her own. To prove she’s not dependent on anyone anymore.

  “You know, there’s a line between taking care of yourself and being so stubborn you set yourself up to fail.”

  Ivy’s jaw drops. “Right. Because finding that line is easy.”

  “It’s about balance.” I sit back in my chair, the urge to stand and pace rising inside me. “About knowing who you’re with…”

  “I thought I knew who I was with when I was with Julian. He wasn’t an asshole in the beginning, or I wouldn’t have stayed. He was a lot like you are now. Sweet. Kind. Eager to help.”

  “So, you do think I’m like him?”

  She hangs her head. “No. I don’t think that at all. I’m just…my head’s all twisted and tangled up. You’re right, there is a line, but I’m right too. It’s not easy to see where it is. Not for me. Not yet.”

  I take another one of the breaths I suggested to Nell, then another for good measure. “I just want to be a good partner for you and the best father I can be for our daughter. That’s all. Just know that I’m here.” I twine my fingers with Ivy’s. “Not because you can’t do it yourself, but because you don’t have to anymore.”

  Everything about her softens and she finally meets my eyes. “You’re something else, you know that?”

  The last time she said those words, she was fighting a panic attack in a parking lot and didn’t mean them as a compliment. Today, it’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me.

  “Come here.” Taking her hand, I pull her out of her chair and into my lap, burying my face in her neck, breathing in the scent of her perfume as she threads her fingers into my hair.

  “You did a great job taking care of Nell today,” I say. “You were able to talk to your boss and get the day off. You picked her up so she didn’t have to sit in class, trying to hide all those tears. You’re a good mom, Ivy. You were everything she needed. You did everything right.”

  Her fingers tighten in my hair and her entire body tenses. “No one’s ever said that to me before.” Her voice is barely a whisper. Raw and charged with years of pent-up emotion.

  I pull back, brushing my fingers over her cheeks. “Nell is sweet and smart and has a good head on her shoulders and that’s all because of you. You’ve sacrificed your dreams to make sure she has what she needs. Thank you for taking such good care of our daughter. I’d be honored for a chance to return the favor. I’m here, Ivy. Ready to stand up for both of you. You don’t have to sacrifice anymore.”

  “Oh, Micah…” She squeezes her eyes shut, inhaling deeply. “Why are you so good to me?”

  “Because you matter to me, and you matter to her. It’s time you started to see how amazing you are.”

  CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE

  Micah

  Funny how work doesn’t care how good life is going, it can turn a great day into a shit day. Not the all-hands-on-deck kind of shit day, but the kind where every little thing goes wrong and halfway through it, you realize it’s all on you. You’re the reason everything’s going wrong.

  If I picked something up, I dropped it. If I dropped it, it broke. I burned dinner. Pinched my finger with a weight. Carson wouldn’t stop jabbering about wanting to find a piece of ass like I did, and I finally had enough of it and told him to shut the fuck up, which just made the atmosphere shitty and tense.

  All I want is to get home and fall into bed, but I promised Tucker I’d stop by to celebrate him finally being cast-free and up and moving, so I grab a cup of coffee, chug it back, then stop at the store for some doughnuts and other treats. It’s one of those foggy mornings, where the air is thick and hazy and humid, promising the day will be miserable as soon as the sun fully rises. As I turn out of the grocery, a bright red Suburban with a See the Keys rental plate and dark tinted windows swerves into my lane, missing me by less than an inch. I lay on the horn and slam the brakes and the asshole rolls down his window to hit me with the middle finger.

  Fucking tourists.

  And that’s that. Any chance of a good day is destroyed. My mood is so black that I almost decide not to drop in on Tucker, but if anyone’s going to salvage the day, it’ll be him, Analise, and the kids. He has been making great strides in physical therapy. He’s finally starting to see a future that looks like one he’d recognize, and his positivity is contagious. He’s my last best chance at a good mood.

  A visit with him is exactly what I need.

  Analise greets me at the door with Mitchell and Flora clamoring behind her. “Oh my goodness gracious,” Analise says. “Look who it is. Long time no see! I hope that means things are going well for you.”