Total pages in book: 47
Estimated words: 46143 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 231(@200wpm)___ 185(@250wpm)___ 154(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 46143 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 231(@200wpm)___ 185(@250wpm)___ 154(@300wpm)
Fucking pipe dreams.
“What are you bitching about already?” I ask Sabre.
“Where’s Dane’s vehicle and Daphne’s van? What’s that thing in the drive?”
“That’s the damn piece of shit she drives,” I inform him. “That fucking slime she’s married to took the van and his car when he moved in with his secretary.”
“He left my little girl—he left Daphne for his secretary? When the fuck did this happen?”
“About four months ago. He filed for divorce and he’s trying to take Cammie,” I tell him, smirking because I can tell everything I tell him is another blow. Maybe it will make him get his head out of his ass. I’m not holding my breath, but one can hope at least. Daphne sure as hell could use Sabre in her corner.
“Why the hell did Drew tell me? Or you, for that matter, motherfucker.”
“You don’t think we tried? We even bring up Daphne, and you start spouting bullshit or just leave. Besides, Daphne didn’t really want you to know. In fact, she’s going to try to keep it hidden from you today. You let her have that, Sabre.”
“The fuck I will. She needs help. I can tell that just by looking at this place,” he growls.
“She does, but you will not ruin Cammie’s birthday.”
He curses under his breath, but somehow manages to get control of himself. “Shit, this is a clusterfuck.”
“It has been for a while. She could have used her dad, old man.” He looks at me with haunted eyes. I know, because I see the same look often—every time I stare into a mirror.
“Some things can’t be changed. Some things are beyond our control, Pez,” he whispers brokenly.
“Bullshit. You just give that woman and her daughter your love. That’s all she needs. You need to find a way to do that, Sabre.”
“It’s too late. There’s too much water under the bridge.”
“Papaw!” Cammie yells, coming out the front door and running straight for Sabre. “Mommy said you weren’t coming, but I told her you would!” she squeals with the innocence only a five-year-old can manage.
Sabre picks her up in his arms and holds her tightly. His head goes down to breathe her in. I’m more than a little jealous. I usually get those hugs, breathing in the baby lotion and shampoo that Daphne uses for her. Her little hands holding me tightly as if she’s trying to hold me together—which she does most of the time.
“Pez!” she says when her gaze locks with mine. “Did you come for my birthday too?”
“Did you think I’d miss it, Pixie?”
She keeps one arm wrapped around Sabre’s neck and then puts her other hand on her sweet little chin, tapping a finger on her lip. “Did you bring me a birthday present?”
I laugh. “That depends.”
“On what?” she huffs, clearly not liking that answer.
“On if I get a hug or if you are going to let stinky Sabre get all your love.”
“That’s Papaw! He’s not stinky.”
Sabre squeezes her but lets her down. She immediately runs to me, and I scoop her up. Holding Cammie is about the only time I feel even half alive. It’s a feeling that is addicting to a man like me. “There’s my girl,” I murmur, feeling as if I’m choking on the emotion that she always brings out of me.
“Did you miss me, Pez?” she asks innocently.
“Every second of every minute, Pixie.”
“Where’s my present?”
I laugh, opening my back passenger door and getting out the two bags I have on the floorboard.
“I get two?” she asks, her beautiful green eyes sparkling in surprise.
“One from me and one from your Papaw Sabre.”
I notice the way Sabre’s body jerks. I knew he wouldn’t remember to get Cammie anything. I’m actually surprised he climbed his way out of a bottle enough to be here today. The bastard better make sure he doesn’t hurt Daphne. She’s going through enough bullshit.
“Dad?”
I look at the front door and see Daphne standing there, staring at Sabre with so much pain in her eyes that it nearly guts me. Daphne should never have that much pain inside her. I’d take it all away if she’d let me—but she won’t. Daphne’s not mine. To her, I’m her brother’s best friend. To me? To me, she is everything I’ve ever wanted … and will never have.
“Hello, Daphne. You look good,” Sabre says, his voice gruff sounding, as if he can’t catch his breath. Daphne walks toward him slowly. She’s wringing her hands together. I wish I could calm her and give her comfort. I shake my head. I’m an idiot.
“I’m glad you came, Daddy,” she whispers, stepping into him. Her arms go around him. For a minute Sabre stands completely still, his arms at his sides. I close my eyes, wanting to scream at him to hug his daughter. I hear Daphne gasp and give out a small cry. I open my eyes immediately. Sabre has his arms around her. His body is trembling as he holds her. Then, I hear him crying. I look down at Cammie. “What do you say we go inside and let Papaw and Mommy talk? I’ll play dolls with you.”