Page 22 of Detention with Daddies

I let that sit. Let it go. For now. I want her to come to her own conclusions, her own judgments of Olivia.

We get out of the car, and I swing around to Liv before grabbing our gear. Leaning in to kiss her on the cheek seems to surprise her. Her hand finds my arm as if she needs it to steady herself.

Yes, sweetheart, I’m publicly laying my claim on you in front of my daughter. I’m serious about you.

Her cheeks pinken, and it’s cute.

“Ever play soccer before?”

“No, but I’m willing to learn. You must be Ruby. Your dad talks about you all the time.”

Liv holds out her hand, and Ruby hesitates only a second before she takes it for a shake.

“Yeah, he’s kind of embarrassing that way.”

Liv laughs. “Don’t worry. All of it’s good. Borderline bragging even.”

I can’t help but grin at the two of them, rubbing my daughter’s back and tucking her into my side. “What can I say? I have the best daughter.”

Ruby blushes hard, but the small upturn of her mouth is a good sign. She tucks her hair behind her ear. My daughter tends to be on the shy side.

“Grab the soccer ball? I’m going to equip Liv with some shin guards.”

Ruby’s already in her cleats, guards, and shorts. She pulls her hair up into a ponytail and ventures onto the field, playing with the ball as I bend in front of Olivia to help her with the socks and guards.

Touching her like this, even as innocent as it might be, sparks that flame inside of me. Having my hands on her calves, her knees…I want so, so much more.

The dreamy, heated look in her eyes when I stand again lets me know that I’m not the only one feeling this connection.

But I can’t delve into it right here. Ruby’s presence keeps me grounded. And it’s a good thing. If I let myself go, I would likely scare Liv off. That’s the last thing I want.

In fact, Ruby is making that face at us again. Am I embarrassing her?

I try not to linger. It’s difficult.

I escort her to the field and take the ball from Ruby. We run some warm-up drills, high knees and kicking the ball back and forth. Pulling out the second ball for Ruby because she’s going to get bored pretty quick if I don’t challenge her a little.

When I toss it up, she bumps it with her knee, keeping it in the air with a few bounces and a few tricks. I grin at her, and she twinkles a little at the silent praise.

We try to teach Liv a few things, and she’s a good sport. But she’s not good, and she knows it. Her laughter seems to be infectious.

I like that she doesn’t take herself so seriously.

It warms Ruby up too, especially when she praises my daughter on her skills, asks her questions about the game and her experiences.

When Liv waves me on to play for real, I plant another kiss on her cheek and hand her the extra ball. “Keep practicing.”

Her laugh is big and bright. Everything about her seems to be larger than life and absolutely dazzling.

And I’m falling for her, watching her bond with my daughter in small ways. The ways that my ex never could. Never tried to. Lisa was never meant to be a mother, and by the time I recognized that, it was far, far too late.

The realization marked the downfall of our relationship, but I can’t regret trying to make it work. For Ruby.

Even though I ultimately failed. It doesn’t seem like a failure now because Olivia makes me feel alive. Makes me see a future I’ve been afraid to imagine for so long. A happy one. One I want.

One that I’m finally emotionally available enough to admit to wanting.

After an hour or so, I wrap my arm around Ruby’s shoulder again and lead her back to where Olivia is watching us, tossingthe ball between her hands. Does she like seeing this side of me? The dad side?

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