Page 61 of Hungry Hearts

“Fuck you.”

Trey holds up his hand. “Just inquiring.”

“I’m not a douchebag who pretends to like a kid to get into a woman’s pants. Maia and I had already been out a few times before I learned about her daughter. Was I freaked out about a kid? Fuck yeah. But Ruby’s awesome. I really like her.”

“Careful, man.”

“What do you mean?”

“You’re stepping in doing dad shit like building her a dollhouse every little girl dreams about. What’s gonna happen when you’re done playing family guy and ditch Maia for a fresh piece of ass?”

I’d tell him to fuck off, but he’s right. My track record isn’t one that screams commitment. Maia’s already been through enough. It’s why she was hesitant for us to be together.

Is she worth it?

Yeah.

And so is Ruby.

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

I OPEN MY FRONT DOOR, surprised to see my sister-in-law, Laney, her husband, Joe, and their eight-year-old daughter, Kimmie, on my doorstep. Adam’s parents pull in behind their SUV. “Don’t be upset, but we wanted to surprise Ruby and not make more work for you.”

Ryder is supposed to come over in an hour to celebrate Ruby’s birthday, all because I wanted to avoid any confrontation with Adam’s sister and parents.

“I don’t understand,” I say, giving her a hug. Showing up early makes a whole mess of more work, unless she planned on doing all the cooking and prep work for me.

“I booked a session at your salon for the girls before the party. I told your team not to tell you. Mom, Dad, and Joe are going to stay here and do whatever food prep you have left to do. It’ll be fun girl time.”

“Hi, Aunt Maia,” Kimmie says, hugging my waist. I crouch down and return her hug.

“You keep getting bigger and bigger and prettier and prettier with time.” I don’t see my in-laws often. They only live two hours away, but our schedules make it hard to get together.

Kimmie and Ruby always get along well when together, as do Laney and I, but we don’t go out of our way to make play dates like we did before Adam’s death. I blame a lot of that on myself. I’m a homebody and Laney is as well.

“You’re off the clock so you get to sit back and watch the girls get glammed up and spoiled without having to lift a finger.”

I don’t tell her that I actually enjoy doing little girls’ princess hair and want to do Ruby’s for her.

“You all are too thoughtful,” I say as Marge and Bill come up the front steps and greet them with a hug as well.

“You kids go get pampered. I’ve got the bases covered here.” As mothers-in-law go, Marge is a good one. Not overbearing and not neglectful. Their family is still hurting from Adam’s sudden passing, and part of me feels like I’m a sad reminder of their son instead of a happy one.

We got married young and they weren’t happy when we moved away, even though it was the Army’s decision and not ours. They missed many years of their son’s life because he enlisted, and when he was home on leave, we spent every waking minute together and didn’t visit his family often.

It wasn’t that we didn’t want to, we just didn’t want to share our time together with anyone else.

“Ruby is in her room. I’ll go get her.” I head upstairs and let her know her father’s family is here then slip into my room, closing my door behind me.

I dial Ryder and he answers on the first ring.

“Hey, baby. How’s the birthday girl?”

“She’s about to be spoiled and will love every minute of it.”

“I can’t wait to see her face when I give her my gift.”

The band around my heart tightens. “About that.” I let out a sigh. “Adam’s family just showed up and they surprised Ruby with a princess party at the salon.”

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