Page 57 of Cross Check Daddies
She nods. “I want you to think about it. Really think about it.”
I nod slowly. “Okay.”
She walks off, Jackson beside her, their dog waddling ahead like he’s on a mission from God. I watch her disappear around the block before I press play on my playlist and start my run.
By the fourth mile, the sweat’s sliding down my back, and the ache in my thighs has become familiar. I’m not chasing pace anymore. I’m chasing clarity. My thoughts circle the way they always do lately. Brooke. And whoever it is she is dating. The mess of it all.
I can’t help the way my lips pull into a dry laugh. The absurdity of it. Years ago, when my brother had stolen the girl I was going to marry, it felt like the end of the world. I had to talk myself down from breaking a stick across my brother’s spine. And now? Now I’m willingly walking into something where she wants to date me…and someone else.
And I’m not out.
I’m willingly walking in.
There’s only one person I know who might actually understand the mental pretzel I’m in. Someone who’s been in her own nontraditional mess and lived to give advice about it.
I text Daisy.
>>Need a reality check. You around?
Daisy >>Always. Make it breakfast, and you’re paying.
>>Of course I’m paying.
We meet at this little corner place with too many succulents and servers who pretend they invented brunch. Daisy’s already at the table by the window when I walk in, tapping her nails against her water glass. She grins when she sees me.
“Uncle Ace,” she says in that sing-song voice she uses when she’s about to be either brutally honest or a complete pain in my ass.
I order black coffee and eggs. She gets oat milk everything and avocado toast. Then she folds her arms and leans in.
“So,” she says. “Tell me which one of the Icemen managed to cause emotional turbulence in your boring, manly life.”
I breathe out slowly. “I like someone.”
“Ooookay…”
“I think she is dating someone else.”
She almost chokes on her milk. “You meansomeonewho likessomeone?”
I arch a brow. “Yes. Is that weird? It is weird, right? No offense…but I am too old for any of this…”
She touches my hand…” Your texts are never vague. When you sayreality check, that’s code fortalk me off this emotional ledge before I climb into someone’s bed and ruin everything.”
I huff a dry laugh. “She’s into more than one person. And I’m pretty sure I’m one of them.”
“Do you know who else she is with?”
I hesitate. “ I never asked.”
She pauses, then blinks. “You don’t do anything halfway, do you?”
“I’ve been around long enough to know what I want. I’m not here to compete. I just— It's been a really long time since I actually liked someone. When I'm with her, it's like I’ve got a shot at something real. Even if I’m sharing it.”
Daisy sips her drink, quiet for once.
Then she says, “The easiest way to not burn the whole thing to the ground is a conversation. No guessing. No side-stepping. Set expectations and boundaries. All of you. Together.”
She sets her cup down gently.
