Page 113 of Mr. Almost

I hate that she is used to making things last because I couldn’t afford to give her more.

I can tell the statement hits Mason too. He doesn’t let it deter him, though.

“That was the past, Arianna. You have so many new things. Don’t you want to make another little girl happy with toys? Maybe another little girl who doesn’t have a father to buy her new ones?”

Ari is quiet as she looks down at the floor. She whispers something, but I can’t hear it. I can guess what she says, though, as Mason sucks in a breath.

“Arianna, I am never leaving you again. I know I was gone for awhile, and you will never know how much I missed being with you. Those were some dark days that I never want to revisit. I am going to be in your life forever. Hell, there will be times you wish I wasn’t in your life, and I’m still going to be there.”

Ari giggles. “You said a bad word, Daddy. I’m always going to want you here.”

Mason hugs her to him. “Thanks, kiddo. I hope so. Now about the toys. You already have a chest full in your new room. Can we get rid of some of these?”

She nods, sitting down. Mason sits next to her, pulling the first bag over as they start to go through them.

Leaving them behind, I turn to find Brantley and Chloe in a heated discussion. Making my way to Eli and Max in the kitchen, I lean against the counter.

“What’s going on?” I whisper.

“Brantley is getting his ass handed to him. We didn’t want to interrupt.” Eli whispers back.

“I didn’t say I had roaches in my home, you asshole.” Chloe throws her hands up.

“You said that Mason’s place didn’t have any roaches. All I’m saying is after seeing this place, I can see why you felt that way.”

“This place doesn’t have roaches. Do you see any bugs on the floor?”

“Everyone knows roaches come out when it’s dark.”

“I wish you only came out at dark. What’s it going to take to get you to scatter? You’re annoying me.”

“Awww, I’m getting to you? That’s quite adorable, actually,” Brantley taunts her.

I can see her hands clenching and unclenching.

“Twenty bucks says they bang it out,” Max tells Eli.

“Nah, man, I don’t want to lose money,” Eli retorts.

I snort. “She’s going to nut punch him. Not kiss him.”

They each look at me, their eyes wide, as they each cup their balls.

“Brantley, break time is over, buddy. Let’s finish this,” Eli calls out, saving his friend.

Max nods. “Yeah. Only fifteen or so more boxes. Then we can drop the furniture off at the women’s shelter.”

They each grab Brantley by the arm, dragging him out of the apartment, sans boxes, which only makes me laugh harder.

“What are you laughing at? Can you believe that jerk?”

I nod. “Oh I can. His buddies just saved his nuts.”

She smirks. “It was that obvious?”

“To me, but you’re my baby daddy number one. Of course I know you.”

“I can’t wait until this day is over. You owe me a wine and whine night.”

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