“Do I need to come over?” he asks.
“No, it’s all good. Have a good night, okay?”
“Okay, I’ll see you tomorrow.” Beckham hangs up before I can say anything else.
“Uncle Beckham is going to take me swimming this weekend.”
“Is he?” I ask her, wiggling my brows. She curls up on my lap, with her head on my chest.
“Summer said that he is my daddy. Is that true, Mommy?” she asks, peering up at me with sleepy eyes.
“Who, darling?” I ask, and her little fingers point to August. He just looks at me for confirmation. “We can talk about this another time, okay?” I reply.
“I’ve never had a daddy before,” she says on a yawn.
“Would you like August to put you to bed?” I ask.
She simply nods, and August stands and looks down at her.
“Just pick her up. She gets really lethargic when she’s tired.”
He does as I say, taking her from my arms, and walks with her to her bedroom. I sit there and listen as she asks him to read her a book. His voice is soft, the cadence slow yet eager. I can’t do it any longer. I can’t sit here and listen to him with my daughter. I start cleaning the table and washing the dishes.
As I finish the last one holding it in my hand, August comes out, rubbing the back of his head.
“You’ve done well with her. She’s perfect.”
“I know,” I say, smiling. Don’t all mothers think that about their children? I know I do.
“I want to be mad at you, but I can’t. Not when I was the one who left.” My hand grips the clean plate. I am unable to move. “I’m moving back,” he announces.
“Where?”
“I never sold my grandmother’s house. It’s still there.”
“Oh,” I reply. I have avoided that place for a long time.
“Will your wife be coming with you?”
“Her name is Mary, and yes, she will.”
“Winter has to get to know you before she gets to know anyone else,” I tell him with a firm voice.
“I know. I would never do anything like that unless I cleared it with you first. You are her mother.”
I nod at his words. “Thank you.”
“Thank you for raising her. I…” He pauses. “She is perfect. She’s the perfect mix of us.”
“She is, but she has your eyes,” I tell him.
“It would be a crime for anyone other than you to have yours,” he states as he walks to the door. I’m not sure how to respond to those words, so I stay in the kitchen as he passes to the door. “Goodnight, Rylee.”
He says my name.
My name, not rich girl.
A tear leaves my eye, and I let it fall.
It’s the end of an era.
And I am helpless to stop it, or my heart from beating in my chest.
I think it may have broken a little bit more.
Chapter 16
Rylee
“So you’re saying I don’t get her this weekend?” Beckham asks as he walks into my office.
“No, she has to get to know him.”
He shakes his head and walks out.
I start to pack up the rest of my stuff and get ready to leave when Shandy walks in.
“Your sister out of the hospital today?”
“Yep, I’m about to drop Winter off for a play date with August while I go visit her.”
“Are you okay?”
I pull my bag up my arm and nod. “It’s going to be weird for a while. I’m so used to not sharing her.”
“Well, you have Holden to keep you company.” She laughs.
“Shut up! I agreed to see him again. Not sure why.” I blow out a heavy breath.
“Because despite his bedroom antics, he is a good guy. Maybe focus on that.” She pauses. “He only really needs to be good with his tongue.” She pokes hers out and wiggles it.
I laugh at her antics because I can’t help it.
“Okay, I’m going now. Stop it.” I shake my head at her.
“If you say so. Don’t go falling in love again.”
Yeah, that cannot happen. But at the same time, I wonder if I ever truly fell out of love with August.
“That’s a pretty big house,” Winter says as we come to a stop out the front. August is already on the porch waiting. It’s been two days since I last saw August. Now, I’m getting Winter out of the car to have a sleepover with him, at her request. She likes him. Let’s face it, I don’t blame her.
“Do you think I will get my own room?” she asks.
“Maybe,” I tell her. Grabbing her bag, she runs, letting go of my hand and going straight to August. I turn just in time to see him pick her up and her little hands wrap around his shoulders.
Walking over, he puts her on his hip as he reaches for the bag in my hand.
“Should we show you and Mommy your room?” he asks.