Page 62 of Crossed Up

If I’m going to be out and alone with Crew, I want an extra layer of protection for him in case Bas somehow manages to get to me.

Crew is still sleeping, and Aidan is at the field already, so I take the opportunity to make the one call I’ve been dreading for over a year now. Each ring of the phone ratchets my heart rate higher, but I left my number unblocked, so I have a tiny sliver of hope that he’ll answer.

“Hello?”

A sob catches in my throat when my father’s deep timbre sounds over the line. He may have been absent for most of my childhood, but he’s still my dad. “Dad?”

His quiet inhale acts as a balm to the part of my soul that worried he wouldn’t care if I was gone. “Lyla, honey, is that you?”

Tears stream down my cheeks. “It’s me, Dad.”

“Where are you? Why does everyone think you ran out on Sebastian?”

Taking a deep breath, my words barely come out as more than a murmur. “Because I did.”

“Why would you do that? Do you know how worried we’ve all been about you? You’ve been gone for months, Lyla Taylor. Where the hell have you been?”

“Dad, just stop for a second!” I rarely raise my voice so it has the desired effect, and he goes silent on the other end of the phone.

“A year and a half ago, Sebastian beat me bloody and nearly choked me to death. It wasn’t the first time he’d hurt me, but I made sure it was the last. I managed to subdue him long enough that I was able to pack up the things I couldn’t live without and get the hell out of dodge. I hopped on a bus with no destination in mind and ended up in Charleston, South Carolina, where I’ve been ever since.”

The silence is deafening for a long moment, only to be broken by a growl. “Please tell me this is some elaborate joke, and you’re just going through a delayed rebellious phase that made you want to run off to sow your wild oats.”

At least it’s not an outright refusal to believe me.

“I have pictures from each time it happened on a flash drive here. I have to hand them over to the FBI next week, but if you’re ever in the area, I can show you. But please know they aren’t pretty.” I heave a sigh. “I just… I couldn’t do it anymore, Dad. It took a year of intensive therapy to deal with what I went through, and now that I’ve finally found some happiness again, Bas is back and threatening to hurt my family if I don’t come back to Maryland.”

“I’ll fucking kill him.”

The line goes dead, and I’m left staring at the phone in shock. Of all the things I expected him to say, it sure as hell wasn’t anything resembling anger on my behalf. I know my father, though, and when he sets his mind to something, he won’t be persuaded otherwise.

The alarm on my phone beeps, reminding me I need to get Crew up and dressed for the game. The security guy I hired should be here within the hour, and he’s going to tail us at the season opener today. The security guard already has season tickets, so it was a win-win all around.

When I reach his bedroom, Crew is already awake and halfway dressed, his features bright with elation about our plans for the day. He’s been talking about this game for weeks now, and I can’t wait to experience it with him.

“Well, look who’s bright-eyed and bushy-tailed this morning!”

He giggles madly, his enthusiasm causing him to be even more wiggly than normal, resulting in his head being stuck in the arm of his shirt. “Lyly, help!”

I snicker and ruffle his hair when we finally manage to right his shirt, his smile never wavering. “We need to brush your hair and teeth before we can leave. Can you do that by yourself or do you need help?”

“I can do it by myself! Promise. I’ll brush them real good.”

Raising a brow at him, I lean down so we’re eye to eye. “Top and bottom teeth? Two rounds of Twinkle Twinkle?”

His enthusiastic nod is answer enough for me, so I set up his toothbrush and let him at it so I can finish getting my own things ready.

Aidan told me he loved me again before he left this morning, and I think it’s high time I tell him I love him, too. The glittery sign on the counter is finally dry, and Wren should have a bouquet of blue roses for me at the stadium.

I’ve kept my feelings for this man quiet out of fear of my ex finding us, but Aidan is showing me every day that I have nothing to be afraid of. Aidan Black loves big and loud, and he deserves the same from me, which is why I made a sign to hold up at the game today, just before the 7th-inning stretch.

I figure this way, even if we’re losing, it might make him feel a little better and give him some motivation. Crew and I will be in the family box for most of the game, and then Wren will hang out with him so I can head behind home plate with my sign for the 7th inning.

I’ve got Aidan’s jersey on again today, only this is his actual jersey—the very same one he’s wearing out on the field today. I’m wearing it open over a white tank, and I paired it with some light ripped jean shorts and a pair of cherry-red Converse.

I took extra care with my hair and makeup this morning, knowing I would be seeing the WAG’s again. The idea of being involved in another cliquish group like I was back home makes me anxious, but, save for Brandy, all of the wives and girlfriends I’ve met so far were really nice, and Wren assured me most of them are genuinely kind women.

The doorbell ringing saves me from delving any further down that rabbit hole, and after making sure it’s the correct man at the door, I open it to see a real life giant. I interviewed this guy over the phone and he came highly recommended by my financial advisor, so I haven’t actually seen him in person until now. I’d only seen his basic profile and headshot.

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