Page 131 of Always Been Yours

“That’s your problem,” he retorts like a petulant child. “All I’m saying is I won’t be doing a fucking dunk tank, and neither will my assistant coaches.”

I roll my eyes, ready to push past him. He can take it up with the committee for all I care. But he stops me with a hard grasp to my shoulder and says in a deceptively quiet tone, “You either change the booth for the football team or I’ll have no choice but to go toGenevieveabout my concerns.

Before I can even process what I’m doing, I grip his t-shirt and forcefully push him into the locker. His eyes widen in surprise before he can cover it up.

“No, that’s not how this is going to go, Harper. Do youfuckinghear me? You will not go around any of mygirls, and we both know that includes Genevieve. I don’t care aboutanythinglike I care about those three. And over my dead body will you harass her for another second.”

He’s simmering against the lockers but stays silent. And as much I’d love to take my building frustration out on someone, especially him, I have no interest in getting into a physical altercation. Even if Vivi decided she wanted nothing to do with me for the rest of her life, I wouldn’t let this piece of trash anywhere near her everagain.

“You want a different booth?” I snort derisively. “Fine, I’ll get you another booth. But beggars can’t be picky,Derek.”

His face reddens in anger at the use of his first name, but he just lifts his hands in a faux-placating manner and sneers, “That’s all I wanted. No reason to get so fucking worked up, bro.”

My blood is boiling but I remember the two precious souls who are outside—who need their dad to stay employed and out of jail. Gripping his shirt tighter, I push him back into the lockers again. “First of all, I’m not yourbro,“ I snarl, giving him one last quick shove. “And secondly,” pausing to look him straight in the eyes, I mutter the words I havenevertold anyone, “fuck you.” Then I turn and walk out of the school.

When the doors shut behind me, I take a minute to calm my breathing and get a grip on my emotions. Once I’m ready to face my daughters, I round the corner and instantly some of the lingering tension starts to dissipate. Hudson’s leaning into the backseat, over a giggling Daisy, while a very exasperated Stella tries to talk him through how to put her sisterproperlyandsafelyinto her car seat.

I walk to the open door opposite of Hudson and pull Stella out and into my arms, needing the grounding effect only my daughters have been able to bring me in the last week. She squeals in surprise but instantly melts into my hold when she realizes it’s me. “Dad,” she pretends to whisper but she wants Hudson to hear her, “Daisy’s going to fly out of her seat if Hudson doesn’t get it together.”

Daisy’s still laughing, mostly because Hudson’s tickling her while wearing the most serious expression she’s probably ever seen on a person,but his eyes meet mine in amusement.

“I bet Lypie could dowaybetter,“ she murmurs. The thought of Calypso doing anything child-related the best makes even Hudsonbreak into a deep laugh.

“I’ll fix Daisy’s buckle, don’t worry, sweetheart.”

When I set her back into her booster, she looks at me with sincere doe eyes, “I trust you, Daddy.”

It sends a much-needed shock to my heart, putting a little more life back into my system. I drop a kiss to her head and round the car so I can put Hudson out of his misery. He leans against the driver door while I talk to Daisy and get her safely situated into her car seat.

When I shut her door and turn toward Hudson, he’s looking at me with raised brows. “You’re going to figure this out.” With a pat on my shoulder, he walks to his G Wagon and I climb into my Jeep.

After a few minutes of driving in silence, Daisy calls from the backseat, “Daddy?”

“Yes, darling?”

“Can we invite Vivi to dinner?” Her hopeful voice only pushes the knife further in my heart.

“Not tonight, Dais.”

She looks at me through the rearview mirror. Her expression is a mix of anger and sadness, just adding to the guilt. “Why not?”

“Because, Daisy, she doesn’t want to hang out with us. Isn’t it obvious?” Stella snaps. Daisy looks between the two of us, her chin quivering.

“That’s not true,” I add quickly. “It has nothing to do with either of you.”

Stella looks back out the window, her lip starting to tremble. “That’s what you think.”

Thankfully we’re pulling into our driveway because I can’t handle them crying and not being able to do anything about it. I quickly put the car in park and turn around in my seat. Stella’s already unbuckled and going for the door. “Hold up, we need tohave a little talk. Vivi’s not mad at either of you. She and I… we had a fight. I’m trying to fix it.”

“But it’s my fault!” Stella cries. I shake my head, trying to tell her that it really isn’t her fault, but she steamrolls on. “I was listening to you and Mommy talk one night… I don’t wanna move again. I want to stay here, and I told Vivi that. Shepromisedshe wouldn’t be mad, but she hasn’t been around since then. She hates me.“ Tears are flowing down her little pink cheeks, breaking my heart even more. “I told her I like her, and shehatesme.”

Daisy looks at me, despair clear across her face now. “We’re moving? I don’t wanna move! Mommy left us. So, she should move here. I have a friend! And he has a gecko!” Daisy lets out on a sob.

Goddammit. I get out of the car, unbuckle Daisy, and scoop her into my arms. I half-expect Stella to walk herself inside but she crawls across the seat, clinging to my other side. I carry them both into the house and get settled on the couch before taking a deep breath.

“We’re not moving. We’re staying here, in Amada Beach. This is our home now. Does that sound good to you two?” They nod against my shoulders. “Good, me too. Your mom does miss you, but she and I still agree that this is the best place for the three of us to be. Sometimes… even grown-ups get confused, and your mom was just feeling confused. But we’re staying here, and your mom will visit every chance she gets. And you two will go visit her and your grandparents every change you get. I promise.”

Daisy nods against my shoulder again, wiping her tears on my t-shirt. Stella sits up, looking at me with a guilty expression. “But what about Vivi? You said she was going to be a part of our new lives here. Does she not want that anymore? Because of me?”

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