Don't Call Me Daddy

“I’m not ashamed of what we have. I promised her I’d start telling her the truth. I might as well start now.” She sighs.

“Okay.” I nod.

Ainsley closes her eyes, and I can’t tell if she’s bothered by the light or trying to get some rest. There’s no way to dim them any more than they actually are without plunging the room into pitch black. I don’t think that’s the best way for her mother to meet me. I’m not even sure this is the best way for her to meet me, but it’s the hand we’ve been dealt. I don’t want to leave Ainsley’s side, no matter what.

“You know…” Ainsley opens her eyes. “I bet all of my costumes are being picked through by police officers, firefighters, and paramedics right now.”

“Heh.” I laugh. “Well, they’ll never get to see you in them, will they?”

“Maybe it’s for the best.” She sighs. “I need to stop living in a fantasy world anyway. The real one is so much better.”

“Nah, I’ve lived in the real world enough to know that isn’t true.” I shake my head. “It wasn’t that great until you came along.”

“Maybe we can compromise?” She turns her head toward me and grimaces. “Give each of them equal time?”

“We can do whatever you want.” I squeeze her hand. “If I have you, I don’t care what you’re wearing; although, I’ll admit, I prefer it when you’re not wearing anything at all.”

“What? You’ve never had a bloody patient fantasy?” She forces a grin. “You can be my doctor if you want.”

We both laugh. I can’t believe I took this for granted. After going to depths of my own despair, I should have better sense. I can’t change that. I can’t erase the guilt. All I can do is try to find a way to prove how much she means to me. I’ve had more chances than one man deserves. As a father. As a friend. Now I’m going to get one more with Ainsley, and I’ll be damned if I waste it.

I’ll never take her for granted again.

Chapter Twenty-Five

Ainsley

I had a guardian angel looking out for me tonight. It could’ve been a whole lot worse. I’m lucky to be here in this bed with Lawson by my side. I always run from my problems. It’s about time I got a receipt for it. The pain is an eye-opener. It’s a damn good on

e too, even if all I want to do right now is close them.

“Ainsley! Oh my god!” My mom rushes into my room like a tornado. “I talked to the doctor. How are you feeling?”

“Hey, Mom…” I force myself to smile.

Lawson lets go of my hand and walks to the door. If my mom notices him, she doesn’t mention it. She’s in full mother-hen mode right now.

I grimace as I explain what happened, but it’s mainly just a formality. She knows more than I do. The other driver was drunk and ran a red light. The doctor has already given her an update on my condition. She’s even planning to call a lawyer on Monday morning in case I need one—not that I feel like I do; she just wants to cover all the bases.

I can’t believe I ever took her for granted. She drove three hours to see me as soon as she found out I was in an accident. She would do anything for me.

“Thank you for coming.” I let out a sigh. “I’m sorry, Mom.”

“You have nothing to apologize for, Ainsley.” She pats my hand. “Try to get some rest. I’m going to get a cup of coffee.”

“Thanks.” I nod to her.

I do need sleep. The doctor said it would be fine, but he didn’t want to give me anything to hurry it along. I’m not sure I can fall asleep on my own right now. My head is aching too much, and while the light is dim, it still bothers me. I can see the halo of it when I close my eyes. I’d like to shut it off, but I feel like things need to calm down a little bit first.

My mom is gone longer than it should take to get a cup of coffee. That worries me. Lawson is … somewhere. I want to introduce them, but he left the room as soon as she arrived. I’m not sure I could coherently explain it or answer any questions if she asked them. My brain isn’t foggy, but the world is kind of hazy. It probably is all in my head, but that’s how it feels right now.

“Okay, I’m back.” My mom walks into my room. “I talked with the doctor again. He’s going to have the nurse bring you something to help you sleep.”

“I thought he didn’t want to give me anything?” I blink a couple of times in confusion.

“If there was anything to worry about, it would have showed up on the CT Scan.” She sits next to me. “He was hoping you would be able to go to sleep on your own, but I told him you’re clearly in pain.”

“I am…” I let out a sigh.