Page 119 of Play Fake
The effect is that he yells his daughter’s name in my face.
I clear my throat, and I hear her before I see her.
“Yeah, Dad?”
“Someone’s here to see you.” Her dad steps aside, and there she is.
She’s in jeans and a black T-shirt, and her feet are bare, and how have I gone two whole days without pulling her into my arms and making things right?
“Dex,” she murmurs. “What are you doing here?” Her eyes fall to the baby, and they soften before they move back to mine.
“Birdie.” I stare at her for a second, and I draw in a breath. “I came to tell you I’m sorry. I came to say that—” I cut myself off as I glance at her dad, who’s standing behind her listening to my every word. I see movement behind him, and I guess we have an audience as I see two younger boys and an older woman who looks to be Ainsley’s mom.
I blow out a breath as those five people stare at me, and Ivy’s probably in the car staring at me, too.
Fuck it.
I came here to win her back, and I’m not leaving until I know she’s coming with me.
I clear my throat. “I came to say that you were right, and I could’ve told you this over the phone, but I had to go see my father first in person.” I glance at her dad, and my eyes move back to hers. I keep my words vague, knowing well enough that she knows exactly what I’m trying to say. “I tore up our contract, Ains. I’m not hosting at the lounge anymore. I’m done with it. All of it. I told him I couldn’t work for him any longer because it was coming between me and the people I care about.”
Her jaw slackens, but before she can get any words out, I plow forward.
“I came to tell you I love you, Ainsley May Riggs Bradley, and I will do anything to prove to you that we belong together. You were right. I was putting you and Jack in danger, and I came to tell my dad I’m out. The only family I care to be loyal to is the two of you. I walked away from my father, from the legacy, from the money. It’s behind me. I know I fucked up—”
I hear Mrs. Riggs clear her throat at my curse word in front of her two younger boys. They look to be teenagers, and I would venture to guess they toss that word around casually. Besides, this is a private conversation that they’re standing around listening to.
But I’m not here to make waves.
“Sorry,” I say. “I screwed up, and I want to be clear that I didn’t do this to look good. I did it because the two most important people in my world were put in danger because of me, and I will never put you in danger again.”
“You walked away from your father?” Ainsley asks quietly.
I nod. “I told him I didn’t want any part of the lounge. It was the one thing you said you needed from me, and I’ll do whatever it takes for you to know that you and Jack are my only priorities.”
“Oh, Dex,” Ainsley sobs, and she rushes for me, tossing her arms around my neck. She buries her face in my chest as I set the carrier down.
“The only legacy I care about is the one we build together, Ains.”
She moves to her tiptoes, and her mouth collides with mine.
It’s a quick kiss that’s far too short-lived when we hear an audience clapping, and then my sister clearly rolled down her window because I hear whooping coming from the direction of the car.
I laugh, and then I lean down and kiss Ainsley again.
She pulls back. “We have other issues, Dex. Things between us that aren’t quite so simple. The age difference. The difference in backgrounds. The things we spend our money on.”
“I know. And we’ll compromise. We’ll work together and figure it out because when it’s this important, that’s just what you do.” I look between her eyes, and she looks a little uncertain.
“Come home with me,” I beg.
She finally swipes at a tear, and then she nods resolutely. “Yes.”
“Oh, and you left this at home,” I say, and I pull the ring out of my pocket and slip it back onto her finger where it belongs.
I pick her up and twirl her around, and she’s giggling and her parents and brothers are clapping, and somehow this all feels about as picture-perfect as that goddamn breakfast at Coach Nash’s house.
And it’s only getting started.
