“Daddy…” Her voice held part censure, part concern.
Savage blew her a kiss, “Good night, cupcake.”
And he threw the phone to Beckett. He caught it with both hands and a glare for Savage. “Dude. Did you just throw my daughter across the locker room?”
Everyone broke into laughter. Everyone except his daughter.
“That’s not very nice, Daddy. I thought they were your friends.”
The guys filtered out of the dressing room, and Beckett sat back down, focusing on Lily. “They are being very annoying tonight.”
“I thought they were nice. I feel better.”
“Well, that’s all that matters. Do you think you can dream about rainbow Puffles tonight?”
A grin wiped away her frown. She yawned and scooted down in bed. “I’ll try.”
“I love you, baby,” Beckett said, feeling the emotion all the way to the bottom of his feet.
“Love you, Daddy.”
They said good night, and Beckett spoke with Sarah a moment before disconnecting. He heaved a sigh and glanced around to see who was left.
Donovan still stood with his back against the doorframe. “What’s going on with Kim?”
“Not sure. Probably wants money, but she hasn’t asked for it yet. Says she wants to see me.”
“I feel for you, man. I know you’re in a bad place, but giving her money is like feeding seagulls. Once they smell food, they never stop pecking at you. Next thing you know, you’re in a remake of Hitchcock’s The Birds.”
That was exactly how Beckett was starting to feel. “Guess I’ll figure it out when I get back.”
“Get your lazy ass dressed. You’re totally going to get voted slowest dumb shit on the team again this year.”
“I’m not gonna hit the bar. Go ahead without me.”
Donovan didn’t budge. Beckett stood and started to dress.
“She still hasn’t texted you back?” he asked.
Beckett knew Donovan had changed topics and was talking about Eden now. He pushed down the lingering hurt and fastened his pants while remembering how quickly Eden had gotten them undone. “Nope.”
“Did you try calling?”
He shrugged into his shirt and turned to face Donovan. “I haven’t gotten a reply to three different texts, bro. I’m out. I can take a hint.”
Donovan scoffed. “You don’t even know what a hint looks like. You get every chick you want. You say lie down, they ask where. You’ve just had to put that on the back burner this year.”
Beckett turned his back to Donovan and buttoned his shirt. He knew he was being an ass about this, but couldn’t quite get over himself. She sure as shit didn’t owe him anything. She never promised more beyond their night—except breakfast. She had promised him breakfast.
“Doesn’t matter.” Beckett tucked in his shirt, fastened his belt, and threw his tie around his neck. “I can’t get involved with anyone right now. Lily’s hard enough to handle on my own when I’m not seeing anyone. And then there’s this unsettled shit with Kim. Throwing a woman into the middle of it…” He shook his head. “Too much uncertainty. That’s not fair to Lily.”
“Who said anything about getting involved? Who said anything about involving Lily? And why are you jumping so far ahead of yourself?”
“You’re one to talk. Serious is all you do.”
“We’re not talking about me. We’re talking about you, and last time I looked, the serious elements of your life didn’t extend to women.”
Beckett sat to slide his shoes on. The same shoes Eden had untied and taken off him almost a week ago now. God, it felt like a lifetime.