Page 38 of Balance

I sigh as I drive out and head home. I want to see my girls. I need to meet this stranger that’s in my home. I need to see for myself if this is a trick. Fuck, my head is a damn mess. I knew I shouldn’t have started anything with her.

I blast music on the way home, driving on auto-pilot, and before I know it, I’m parked in the garage. There’s a sedan packed out on the driveway, a sensible rental car. I glance around the garage once I hop out to find Lillian’s Nissan at the end beside my SUV.

I just need to remind myself that she’s not Brittany. I’m betting she’s saving most of the money she’s making, too. I know she most likely has student loans and other debt. Her vehicle definitely. She even balked and tried to tell me I was paying her too much.

Fuck… I really just need to talk to her, don’t I?

I shove my keys in my pocket and head inside, hearing my girls talk animatedly and inhaling the scent of one of Lillian’s pasta dishes perfuming the air. I shuffle down the hall towards the music of my girls’ laughter to find them all in the kitchen laughing and eating. Lillian sees me first and sends me a wary smile, glancing over to her friend.

Her friend’s long, red hair is up in a messy bun. She’s wearing a massive sweat shirt and black leggings. Her tiny, pale feet are bare and when she turns, I fight back a grimace. She’s tried to cover it up with makeup, but her face is swollen and bruised to hell, stitches running across her left eyebrow.

My stomach plummets and I feel like such a fucking jackass for assuming Lillian was using me, softening me up for something sinister. This woman needs help, obviously, why is my mind so fucking all over the place?

I step forward slowly and nod to her, keeping my hands in my pockets. “Good afternoon, I’m Morgan, you must be Mackenzie?”

She winces and nods at me, staring back down at her half-eaten plate. “Yeah. Nice to meet you… thank you so much for letting me stay here.”

I press my lips together, not wanting to ask her any questions. I hope whoever did this to her is behind bars. “Of course… Lillian is family.” I respond warmly and spend a few moments kissing and hugging my girls. I glance up at Lillian and she watches with a soft smile on her face.

“Mack is in the room right beside mine. The girls made a sign to put on her door so they don’t accidentally go in there at night when they have their nightly sleepovers with me.”

I snort and ruffle Nessa’s hair. “Is that right? I’ll have to see what you girls put together. How was school Ave?” I head deeper into the kitchen to check the oven to see if Lillian made me a plate. I wouldn't blame her if she didn’t.

Alas, there’s a massive plate awaiting me. Grilled chicken with steamed broccoli and carrots. I sigh under my breath as I grab some silverware and head to the empty seat beside Avery and dig in. The pasta smells so much better, but I’m still appreciative.

“It’s fine. One of my friends is having a birthday party this weekend. Lily told me to ask you about it since it’s out of the community and not at school.”

I grunt and finish my bite in what feels like two bites. “Where’s it at?”

Avery smiles, her hazel eyes lighting up. “It’s at a trampoline park by my school. They even have a baby area for Nessa and Tilly! It’s going to be so cool, dad. They’re having a pizza party there, and cake, and cupcakes. I need to get her a gift, too.”

I snort and hold up my hand. “Slow down, Ave. I didn’t say yes, I was asking where it was at.”

She sighs and picks at her plate with her fork, pushing her food around. “I’ve never been to a birthday party before, dad… I’ve never even had one. Even this year all we did was hang out at home.”

I press my lips together and glance over to Lillian who is staring down at her food. I see the tears in her eyes from here though. Shit, I fucked up. “I asked you what you wanted to do Avery, you told me that you just wanted to be with me and have a nice day at home.”

She snorts. “Yeah, because I knew we wouldn’t do anything else, you’ve never really been around much before. And whenyou are around all you care about is the paparazzi and who will notice you.”

I push away my plate and rub my hand down my face. “We have company right now. We’ll talk about this when you’re getting into bed, okay? It’s not a no, but we have to take precautions. What if some bad people follow you and take photos, or hound you in public?”

She rolls her eyes and jumps off her stool, moving to grab her plate to wash it off. “Whatever, dad.” She scrapes her plate in the garbage, then rinses it off with rage in the sink before stomping out of the room. I look over at Nessa and Tilly who are happily eating their food, completely ignoring everything else.

“Lillian… what do you think?”

She hums and shakes her head. “Nope. These are your daughters and you know what’s best and how to keep them safe. I don’t have the pull to call around and ensure their safety, nor the resources.”

I glance up at the ceiling and hold my breath for a few moments. “I’ll call the place and see if I can offer them money for tightened security and to enforce a no recording or photography rule for the few hours they’re there…”

She chuckles and nods, “Sounds good.” She grabs everyone’s plates and sends me a look as she loads my plate up with more food. “You at least need the protein, eat more please.” I pull my plate back to me and salute her as I finish off my meal. I’ll talk to Avery, smooth that over. Hopefully.

I hope that Lillian’s friend will be okay. I have no idea what she does for a living, but if she wants to stay, I’m sure we can figure something out when she’s ready.

Maybe I can have Marie come over and check her out if she needs another checkup.

I clear my throat and Mackenzie snaps her head over to me. “One of my good friends is engaged to a physician’s assistant,she’s a woman… would you like to see her in a few days? Or whenever you want? They don’t live too far from here. I’ve known her for years, she works with the players so she’s used to, umm.” I stop talking as she winces.

She glances down at her lap and nods. “That would be wonderful, thank you.” Her voice is so quiet, so hoarse. I’m terrified to see what the poor woman’s neck looks like.

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