Page 4 of Hard Focus
“Would you stop calling him that?” She pulled open the door and shivered as the overchilled air poured over her bare shoulders. “It sounds pervy. That’s my dad.”
“Big Tony.” He drawled the two words,andthey both burst out laughing. Once they reached the elevator, Taylor was quiet on the short ride. At her floor, she got off the car, smiled, and had turned to say goodbye when he stepped into the doorway, stopping the automatic closing. “See you soon, Connie girl. Sleep well.”
“See you. Tell Alden hello.” She waved as she entered her apartment, hearing the doors finally swoosh closed. “What a nice guy.”
***
Jonas
It just makes it harder, he thought as he turned onto Audrey’s street.Fifteen blocks to go. “Almost home, kid. Anything happening over the next two weeks that you’re excited about?” Rustling from behind him and Jonas caught a glimpse of Adrianne’s face in the mirror. He gave it several seconds of silence, then prompted, “Answer me.”
“No, sir.” Flat and toneless, that was all Adrianne gave him.
Jonas sighed.
“You had another bad dream last night.” Her head moved in what might be a nod. “Do you remember what you dreamed about? Maybe if you’d talk it through, you wouldn’t be afraid anymore.” She murmured something, but too low for him to catch. “What?”
“How much longer?”
Jonas shook his head. She wouldn’t talk to him, she never did.Connieshe’d talk to all day long, which made life easier.Too bad she didn’t come back over today. “Nearly home.”
“UncleCole,” Adrianne shouted from the back seat,andJonas flinched at the excited volume. “That’s Uncle Cole’s truck.”
Just perfect.
***
Cole
He stood on Audrey’s little cement porch and watched as the sedan approached down the street. He could see Addy bouncing around in the back seat and smiled.God, I love that little girl. The front seat next to asshole was empty,andhis smile slipped away. The visits were easier on Addy when asshole’s girlfriend was along, so her absence at the drop-off meant Audrey was probably in line for a night of nightmares.
What a woman like that sees in this asshole I’ll never understand. Miss Connie, as Addy called her, was gorgeous and seemed genuinely kind. Like yesterday, when asshole picked Addyupand wanted to keep her an extra four hours because of a game on TV. They’d been arguing aboutit,because even if it was ridiculous, once asshole got his teeth into an idea, he just wouldn’t let it go, and Cole had noted the moment Miss Connie decided she, and Addy, had heard enough.I like that she takes care of Addy.
The car parked and Addy’s door flew open. She didn’t wait forassholeto get out of the car, just released her own safety belt and climbed out on her own, bag in hand. Then her little legs were a blur as she flung herself up the walk and into Cole’s arms. Face to his neck, she murmured, “I’m glad you’re here, Uncle Cole.”
“I’m glad I’m here, too, baby girl. Glad you’re here. Home. Glad you’re home. Now, let’s get you inside to Mommy.” He turned and went into the house, closing the door behind him and shutting out asshole and the rest of the world.
