I open my mouth to tell him that him not being able to control how he thinks and what he feels when he sees me dressed in a lace tank and shorts is on him, but that doesn’t really seem like the best idea either.
“I’m sorry you don’t like my clothes, Harley. I’ll change them once the call is over.”
I watch his face, noting how his blink is slow just before he runs his free hand down over his eyes and pinches the bridge of his nose.
He doesn’t apologize for lashing out, but I’d never expect him do to something like that.
“I’m calling because I wanted to tell you that I’ll be home tomorrow about midday, and that my parents are coming in for a visit. They’ll be there tomorrow evening.”
I look away from the phone, letting my eyes rake over the things I’ve unpacked since coming here before looking back at him. “Should I clear out of the bedroom?”
“What? No, Ali. That’s your home. I’d never ask you to leave just so my parents can visit.”
If he really thought that, he wouldn’t be getting on to me for what I’m wearing like a caveman. Don’t I have the right to be comfortable in my own home?
It only proves that this is his home, and he makes all the rules.
“Aria wants you there.”
And isn’t that the crux of the situation? The man can’t stand me more often than not, and yet he keeps me around because it makes his daughter happy. I have no doubt the man can manage being a single dad completely on his own. He’s pretty efficient in that regard, but he sacrifices his own emotions so Aria can be happy.
“Where will they go?” I ask, knowing my mother would expect to stay anywhere I am if coming for a visit.
“A hotel or back at the clubhouse. Hell, they may even stay with Kincaid or Shadow.”
“Do they know they aren’t staying here?”
Do they know I’m living here, I want to ask.
“I’ll let them know when I speak to them next.”
“Okay,” I say because what is there to argue. “I’m going to let you go so I can go change.”
“Ali, you don’t have—”
“See you soon. Have a safe trip home,” I rush out before ending the video chat.
If I were in this situation a year ago, I’d never speak to a man like that ever again, but things are different. A year ago, I wasn’t afraid of my own shadow. A year ago, I wasn’t so in love with a little girl that putting up with her snippy father was worth it just to be near her.
In defiance, I don’t change my clothes before going back out to the living room.
Aria squeals at the sight of me, then frowns when I pull her out of the walker and grab a jar of baby food green beans.
I know I’ll end up wearing half of this before we’re done, but I make airplane noises with a smile.
I still have over eighteen hours before I have to face her cranky dad again.
Chapter 20
Harley
Work provides a distraction I desperately need, but it doesn’t keep the exhaustion at bay. Too tired to ride my motorcycle, I leave the clubhouse property in the SUV. Either I’m losing my mind, or the inside of the vehicle actually smells of Ali’s bodywash. I know Shadow has been picking her up and taking her home daily, but I can’t decide if I like or hate the reminder of her.
It’s been bad enough to realize that not only do I miss my little girl and am ecstatic to see her, but I’m also having those same feelings about Ali. I need to see her. I need to see the woman wearing a loose t-shirt and jeans because the last time I saw her was on the video chat in a lacy, thin tank top and short shorts. It’s been impossible to get that image of her out of my head, and I guess I should count my lucky stars that the mission was already over. Kincaid’s call to move me to Team C was a good one. I am distracted, only not for the reasons he assumed I would be.
The drive is quick, and although I have the urge to show up at the house with something for Ali and Aria, I don’t have the patience it would take to postpone my arrival long enough to stop. Even the drive-thru at the coffee shop would seem like an eternity.
The house looks exactly the same as I pull into the driveway, and that’s expected, of course, but for the first time since coming back, I’m looking forward to walking through the front door. I want to see the people inside so badly, I actually have to sit in the SUV for a long moment and get a better handle on myself. Squeezing Aria and loving on her is my top priority, and I take a moment to shove down that same desire for Ali.