Total pages in book: 86
Estimated words: 83020 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 83020 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
“Harley,” Em says as she approaches, and I choose to ignore the chastising tone in her voice. “This is Alyssa Dansby. She prefers Ali.”
With my little girl safe in my arms, I nod at the woman, recalling hearing more than one conversation about the woman coming to stay at the clubhouse. She and Grace were abducted by the same people, but all of that happened nearly six months ago at the same time Lana died. I haven’t paid much attention to those conversations. My focus has been on getting through each day and trying not to let Aria feel the stress that’s in constant control of my life.
“Hello,” Ali says, but like me, she isn’t very impressed with being put on the spot.
I nod at her, turning to Em. “I’m ready to pick her up.”
“Ali is going to be working in the daycare. Aria already likes her so much.” Em isn’t going to give me an inch, and I’m in no place to tell her who can and can’t take care of Aria while I’m out. I know Ali wouldn’t be here if she wasn’t qualified and vetted.
“‘This Little Light of Mine’ was—just sing a different song,” I demand, my jaw clenching in irritation.
I know these are my issues and not this new girl’s, but I couldn’t bear coming into this room and hearing anyone sing the same song Lana used to sing Aria to sleep with.
“Okay,” she quickly agrees. “I didn’t know it was a bad song.”
“Harley, can I speak with you a minute?”
I glance back at Emmalyn, needing to get out of the room as quickly as possible.
“Her bottle,” Ali says as I turn away, and it makes me realize I grabbed Aria so quickly, I wasn’t concerned that she was in the middle of eating. It makes me feel like an asshole and an incompetent father, two things I seem to get in spades these days.
“Thank you,” I say, taking the bottle before turning back to the door.
“Harley,” Em says.
“I’m sorry I was rude,” I quickly apologize. “But that’s the song Lana sang to her.”
“And it’s comforting to Aria. But if you don’t want it sung, then we won’t.”
Em is always so understanding, and that only ratchets up those feelings of being a bastard even more.
“Thank you,” I tell her, because despite my shitty behavior, I won’t fold on this. I refuse to concede. I’ll sing the song to my little girl if she needs to hear it so badly.
I didn’t want to talk about the song or Ali.
My eyes dart back across the room, locking on Ali as she lifts Nate, Apollo and April’s son, from a crib. The baby is all smiles, cooing at her as she speaks softly to him.
“We don’t have a place for Ali to stay.”
My eyes land back on Emmalyn, heart racing as I consider what she’s saying. April and Apollo moved into their new house earlier than expected—after the accident so I could have a room here. With Aria and me in that room, it leaves no others open.
“Can’t she stay with you or Misty?” They always offer up a room.
Em shakes her head. “She’s here to regain her independence. She left a home where she was staying with her parents. She needs something a little less homelike. She also won’t be here forever, so she needs to gain that independence in a way similar to what her reality will look like.”
“I can’t go home,” I argue, my head running through the possibilities of finding another house in town.
“I’m not asking you to go home or leave the clubhouse, Harley, but if it’s okay, I’d like to have Ali stay at your place, in your guest bedroom. When she’s ready, she’s going to have to live on her own completely.”
“Okay,” I agree quickly. “That’s fine.”
“Really?” she asks, her face clouded with doubt.
“It’s fine. You have the keys, right?” I know some of the people from the clubhouse have been maintaining the residence since the new year started because I just can’t step foot inside of there. I can’t seem to let go of it either. Lana made it a home so quickly in the short time we lived there.
“I do. You’re sure you’re okay with her staying there?”
“I’m sure.” Honestly, I’ll agree to anything at this point if it means not having to go back. “I’m going to get Aria ready for the pool.”
“Floats for her size are in the closet in the indoor pool area. Keep a good eye on her.”
I nod before walking away when I want to snap and remind her that it’s not my first day being a father, but Em only means well.
Chapter 3
Alyssa
“I didn’t know the song was off-limits,” I say the second Emmalyn walks back into the room.
Leave it to me to mess up so badly on my very first day here.