Page 52 of The Third Girl

CHAPTER 23

MATT

The doorbell awakens me from a deep sleep. I fumble for my phone and realize it’s quarter after two.Shit.That’s gotta be Stephanie and Dennis back with Sailor. I meant to set an alarm so that I was semi-coherent when they showed up, but Skylar and I had been wrapped up in each other.

Speaking of, she’s still zonked out, straddled over my torso and hugging me tightly. That’s how we’d fallen asleep after I lost it earlier. I don’t often break down like that, but her reassurances and suggestions for how to keep Terri’s memory alive for Sailor had done me in. Not in a bad way. Just knowing that she understood what I was going through, at least in a small yet profoundly significant way.

I lightly run my hand over the unruly curls at the back of her head. “Sky. I think Sailor’s home.”

She inhales sharply as her eyes flutter open. “Oh. Okay. Um, should I stay up here?”

I hate that that was the first thought in her head, but fuck if I want to deal with my in-laws asking any more questions. I wince and scratch the side of my head, thinking. “Um yeah, if you don’t mind. Good ole Stephanie and Dennis have already pried enough into our lives for one day. Hang here. I’ll be up in a few. They have never once changed that kid’s diaper and after all the juice this morning and whatever else she’s had, I bet she’s full-up.”

Skylar gives me a sweet smile but there’s a hint of something in it that I’m not quite sure how to read. “Okay.”

I pick up a T-shirt as I leave the room and shrug into it on my way down the stairs. Blowing out a deep breath, I pull the door open.

“Daddy!” Sailor is in Stephanie’s arms and practically leaps in my direction without a care for her own well-being.

I frown as I make a grab for her, scooping her into my arms. “Everything go okay?”

Dennis simply sighs, while my mother-in-law looks nothing but perturbed. “If you can call your daughter crying because she threw her ice cream on the floor and then pitching a fit when we wouldn’t let her pick it up and eat it, sure.”

My brows pinch together hard. “Two things. You know she’s not even two, right? She’s also Terri’s child, not just mine. Your granddaughter.”

“Well, it wasembarrassing.You’d think she’d be taught to behave better in public.” Stephanie rolls her eyes with a sigh.

I can’t wrap my head around how it’s possible these two people birthed and brought up my kind, caring wife. They’re awful. “Right. Because I have so much spare time to do that. Look, I’m sorry you feel that way. Maybe—”

There’s a thudding noise upstairs, and I try to play it off like it’s nothing, but I can see Stephanie and Dennis’s faces morphing already to twin expressions of shocked disgust.

“The nanny is still here?” Stephanie hisses.

I rake my teeth over my bottom lip.Fuck.This is exactly what I was hoping to avoid. “Yes. She was helping me catch up on laundry while Sailor was occupied. She’s been a great help to me.”

“Is that what you’re calling it? Help?” Dennis eyes me, shaking his head with a smirk.

“How many times do I have to say it? Yes, she helps me with Sailor. Drop it.” I bristle, my jaw tightening at the outright lie that fell from my lips. I need them to stop, need them to fucking leave us alone. Out of respect for Terri, I’d never tell them they can’t come by to see Sailor. But my life is no longer their business, so long as my daughter is happy and healthy. And if this is how they’re going to treat me as I try to move on, then they can fuck right off.

Stephanie gives Dennis another of her eye rolls, then turns around without a word and heads to their car.

Dennis shrugs. “Keep in mind that one day Sailor will be old enough to understand when you shack up with someone.”

Before I can respond, he also retreats. I shut the door behind them and lock it.Fuck all.Yeah, I foresee problems with them on the horizon. They’re still grieving, too. I get that. But I’ve had enough of their foul attitudes toward me. And I definitely don’t need them shaming me for trying to heal.

* * *

“Skywar!” Sailor runs down the front hallway when Skylar walks back through the front door later that afternoon. She’d slipped out for a few to go grab her school bag from her apartment, since she hadn’t brought her work things with her Saturday night. I don’t think either one of us expected her to still be here by Sunday evening. But I want her here. I can’t explain it and don’t want to have to. Not to anyone.

I draw in a breath. I sure as hell would like it if this were our new normal, but I don’t know if I can emotionally handle it yet, no matter how good I think it would be for Sailor to have Sky around more often.

She gives me a wave, then ducks into the kitchen before joining me in the living room. Sailor has followed her everywhere today. It’s fuckin’ adorable. Kinda like a puppy who has missed you and insists on being underfoot. Skylar was only away for about thirty minutes, but I guess toddlers aren’t great with understanding the passage of time because she’s excited all over again to see her.

Holding out a hand, I pull Skylar down to sit next to me. “I made spaghetti.”

“That sounds great. I didn’t know you liked to cook.”

“I don’t, but I like to eat, and there’s a little mouth to feed. I make decent spaghetti and lasagna. And of course, mac ’n’ cheese is Sailor’s favorite.”

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