Bad Pet (His Pet)

Myah pouts and nods begrudgingly. So, I let go of her hand and pulled my phone out of my pocket to text Owen. I type the café’s address and tell him that Myah is safe with me.

“Your father won’t be here for a while. Do you want to talk about some of the places you visited with him? I heard you bought boxes of books.”

Myah grins at me and starts to tell me all about her adventures with her father. She looks so happy, and I find my heart crushing into pieces because this could be the last time that I will ever see her.

Chapter Twenty-Nine - Owen

I have never hated the slow crawl of New York traffic as much as I do now. Plus, Google Maps says that we will not arrive at the café for another hour. I specifically chose an apartment near Central Park, but we were in another part of the city when Sloane texted me her location and a short message.

Myah safe w/ me.

I punch the seat and notice Calvin throwing a cautious glance at me. I feel bad that my emotions are once again besting me. Still, my rushing heartbeat and the growing suspicion in my mind are keeping me on edge. How am I supposed to stay calm when Myah has gone missing, and yet Sloane has found her again? What more lies is that woman hiding from me? Why is she still making me feel this way?

“How long,” I burst.

“Owen,” Calvin starts, “what you need to focus on now is that she is safe. We will know more when we get there. Please,” he stresses, “do not jump to illogical conclusions. As your friend, I know that you are better than that.”

I hear what he’s saying and the meaning behind it. If I show any outburst when we pick Myah up, my daughter will only hate me more. And I may be able to bring her with me to Washington, but I will never be assured that she will not run away again. However, not jumping to conclusions is easier said than done. Calvin knows that, too, especially since it also concerns Sloane.

“Just another half hour,” Andrew chimes in, trying to lighten the mood. It’s a slow crawl, I think to myself, but I will get there.

“Myah is safe,” I repeat to myself. And I keep on focusing on that thought as we cross the eastern side of Central Park. At the very least, Myah is safe.

After a long half-hour ride, we finally turn to the corner where the little café is. I feel like jumping out of the car, but I probably won’t be able to even open up the door because another car is driving too close to our vehicle. I meet Mike’s eyes through the rearview mirror. He raises an eyebrow, and I roll my eyes. Yes. After several days of not seeing her, I am ready to see Sloane again. And yes, it will not make me mad or excited because I am only here for Myah. But my detail doesn’t notice these thoughts because he is finally pulling into an empty parking spot.

“Owen,” Andrew speaks up. And he doesn’t have to continue because I know what to do — be civil. Be my calm self.

Still, as soon as I step out of the car, my heart beats fast again. I know that I just thought that I would not be excited to see Sloane, but I can’t keep my heart from feeling this way. I can lie to myself all I want, and all I’m fooling is myself.

Calvin looks over and sees my face. He tries to hide the subtle smile, but I see it. And I feel myself smiling a bit too.

I let them lead the way to the coffee shop. Calvin opens the door, and we are greeted by the strong smell of coffee and cinnamon. And when we move to the right, we immediately notice Myah’s sullen face. She must have seen us from the window, and I know she really hates me right now. Yet, I cannot help but run to her and pull her in for a hug.

“Dad,” she groans.

“I thought you were dead or caught in an accident,” I murmur, primarily to myself, but she hears it.

“Such morbid thoughts, dad. I’m an army officer’s daughter. I know how to keep myself safe.”

I kiss the top of her head then let her go. Now that I’m finally reunited with my daughter, I know that I cannot avoid Sloane any longer.

“Sloane.”

She nods at me and continues sipping her drink.

“Myah. I’m glad that you’re safe, but please get in the car now. We’ll talk there in a bit.”

I turn and nod at Andrew to signal him to follow my daughter to the car. Myah furrows her brow and stiffens. She turns to Sloane, who smiles at her warmly, and she lets her shoulders relax. My daughter runs to the woman and hugs her tightly. I start to worry that she will not let Sloane go or make a scene if I ask her to go to the car again. But she finally lets go after a minute; then, she follows Andrew outside.