Page 88 of Legacy

“I hope Daddy’s love grows someday. He says my love is enough, but maybe he needs to drink more water.”

I can’t help the laugh that bursts out of me. I’m always handing Jesse water bottles because if it were up to him, he’d live on coffee, sports drinks, and beer. Clearly, Bea has picked up on it.

“Your daddy could definitely use more water,” I agree, standing.

Bea hops up, and we start walking down the hallway. “Can you stay, Reagan? I like that you talk to me.”

“I’m not leaving just yet, Beatrice King.”

“But you will.”

I want to lie, but she deserves better, so I tell her the truth. “Eventually.”

Her hand tightens on mine as we turn the corner, and I freeze to find Jesse standing in the kitchen.

“Daddy!”

Jesse is leaning against the kitchen counter with one ankle crossed over the other. He’s staring straight at me until Bea collides with his legs, stealing his attention.

She’s so excited to see him that she doesn’t realize he probably heard everything we just said.

“Daddy, you have to see the pictures I made. Tempe said if I cut it up in little pieces, it’s like a puzzle. Can we make a puzzle?”

“Of course, Honey Bea. I’ll grab the scissors.” He kisses the top of her head, and she runs back to the doorway where she left her pictures.

The scruff on his jaw is rough from not being shaved this morning, and his eyes are dark with exhaustion. It’s clear he hasn’t slept, but he doesn’t let that show for Bea’s sake.

With Bea gone, his eyes land on me. Static swells between us. It catches in my lungs, and the air thickens.

“How is Sera?”

“She’ll be okay.”

I nod, swallowing hard as Bea’s footsteps sound down the hallway. “I’ll give you guys some time to yourselves.”

His mouth opens like he’s going to ask me to stay. Or maybe that’s wishful thinking because he doesn’t say anything. Bea runs back in, and she drags him to the living room.

Like a coward, I don’t look back as I disappear into my bedroom and shut the door.

Margaret is already in bed, and it feels like she sleeps more than she’s awake lately, making every day lonelier around the house with Bea at school and Jesse avoiding me. I can only imagine it’s going to get worse.

I’m still standing frozen at the door when my phone rings, snapping me out of my thoughts. When I reach my nightstand and pick it up, it’s an unknown number, and I don’t want to answer it, considering it could be Lincoln. But since I just switched phones and sent my new number to my sister, I risk it.

“Hello.”

“Proof of life. Happy now, sis?”

“Livie?” Her name rushes out with my excitement. “You’re okay. Oh my god, Livie, why have you been ignoring my calls? I’ve been worried sick about you.”

She sighs so loud I can practically feel it. “I’m fine. I told you I was fine.”

“Threeweeks ago.”

“Well, I’m still fine. Nothing’s changed. I wasn’t trying to worry you or anything.”

“Then respond when I text you next time.”

“I will.” I can see the eye roll I’m sure goes with it.

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