Page 101 of Seal the Deal

She takes a steadying breath, then answers. “Alex.”

Even before he speaks, I sense the tension.His tone is sharp, cutting through the calm we’ve built. “What the hell is going on, Lottie? Why didn’t you contact me sooner?”

Charlotte’s body stiffens at the nickname—Lottie. I know she hates it, but she keeps her voice steady, holding back her frustration.

“I did, Alex. I texted you as soon as we headed to the ER. It was late there, I didn’t want to wake you unless it was urgent.”

A pause on his end. I know his type, the kind of man who’s always twisting the knife, always needling for control.

“You should have called,” he snaps. “I’m her father, Lottie. I deserve to know what’s happening with her.”

I see her inhale slowly, keeping her composure. I slide my hand up her back, hoping she can draw strength from me.

“I handled it, Alex. Her fever spiked, then Dr. Hayes checked her over and she’s fine now. Asleep in bed.”

“Dr. Hayes?” he spits. “Who the hell is Dr. Hayes?”

“Jake’s doctor,” she replies, glancing at me. She’s drained but steady. “He made a house call to ensure Meadow was okay.”

There’s a loaded silence, and I feel the simmering anger from his end, an anger he clearly thinks he can unload on her, like he probably has a hundred times before.

“Who’s Jake?” he demands.

Charlie hesitates. She opens her mouth to downplay it, but something shifts. Instead, she squares her shoulders.

“Jake’s my boyfriend.”

I feel a surge of pride and love, and an urge to let Alex know exactly what kind of man she’s with now. She’s standing her ground, claiming us, and it makes me want to pull her in and never let her go.

“Yourboyfriend?” Alex sneers. “Jake who?”

“Jake Brooks. He’s a hockey player I met through Zoe.”

I already know from Zoe that the two of them despise each other, and the thought that this connection will rile him up even more satisfies me immensely.

“Ahockey player?” His laugh is sharp, dripping with disdain. “You seriously think you can just replace me with some overpaid meathead Zoe shoved at you? God, Lottie, you’re pathetic. Chasing after some jock like a desperate little girl.”

Her hands tighten, knuckles turning white. I want nothing more than to rip the phone from her and tell him exactly what I think. The realization that he’s likely treated her like this for years, the thought of her ending up with thisguy after everything we shared at camp—itburns. This should have been us from the beginning. It should have been me from the start.

Every word he spits is like poison, a calculated attempt to unravel her confidence, to manipulate her into feeling unworthy of anything real. I hold her closer, watching her breathe through the barrage. She doesn’t flinch, just meets his cruelty with a strength he doesn’t deserve to witness.

“This isn’t about you, Alex. It’s about Meadow. Jake was there when we needed him, and he actually cares about our kids. That’s what matters.”

“Oh, Ibethe cares,” he says with a venomous scoff. “Wake up, Lottie. You really think this hockey hotshot’s going to stick around for you and two kids? You’re nothing but a convenience for him, a little ego boost for the road.”

I can barely keep my hands from balling into fists. He’s fucking deluded if he thinks he can belittle her and plant some twisted doubt in her mind. I hold her tighter, letting her know I’m right here and ready to fight back if she needs me.

“I’m not asking for your permission, Alex,” she says. “Jake’s here because he chooses to be. That’s somethingyou’llnever understand.”

The line goes silent, his shock almost tangible before he finally snarls, “You don’t get to just cut me out, Lottie. I’m still their father, and you’d better remember that.”

Her hand trembles slightly, but she doesn’t retreat. “I know you’re their father. But I’m not apologizing for moving on.Mylife isn’t your business anymore.”

The line goes dead, but her hand is still shaking as she slowly lowers the phone. I don’t hesitate. I pull her onto my lap, wrapping my arms around her, a protectiveness radiating through me.

“You were incredible, Charlie,” I murmur into her hair, my voice a blend of pride and fury. “You didn’t put up with his bullshit, and I’m so damn proud.”

She buries her face against my shoulder, her breath uneven. “I hate how he makes me feel so small. Like I’m some failure, never good enough.”

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