Total pages in book: 105
Estimated words: 98524 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 493(@200wpm)___ 394(@250wpm)___ 328(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98524 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 493(@200wpm)___ 394(@250wpm)___ 328(@300wpm)
“That will never happen.” Cat’s voice was firm. I looked at my sister, and tears lined the rims of her brown eyes. “She will see you have always been good for her. She will love you. And that love a girl has for her father never goes away. I mean, look at me.” She huffed a laugh. “I hate our dad for leaving, and yet a part of me still wishes he would come around and make up for lost time. No matter what, Aleesa will always love you. I have no doubt in my mind about that.”
“I hope so.”
“I know so. Now let’s go home. Má is making empanadas today, and I’m starving.”
Thirty-Seven
Octavia
Rossi’s was a sports bar in Atlanta with way too many screens and a long line of liquor on the wall behind the counter.
Davina and Deke were already in Atlanta together, and after speaking to her, I insisted that we all needed to hang out. I figured Javier needed the break, and I hadn’t seen my sister in weeks.
It’d been two weeks since Javier’s meeting with his lawyer. He said he was okay, but I could tell this situation was weighing heavily on him and disrupting his days.
Paola had returned to Argentina but had made plans to come back whenever the hearing happened. Catalina was still in town and was currently watching Aleesa so I could take a “break.” I told her I didn’t need a break and that taking care of Aleesa was no issue at all, but she insisted and said she wanted to spend some quality time with her niece.
“I think that’s some bullshit.” EJ McCoy slammed his glass of beer down on the table as he locked his eyes on Javier.
I’d only met EJ once, and that was after one of the Ravens games. He was the starting point guard for the team and the kind of guy who didn’t take life seriously. He was definitely a playboy, and it was men like him that I avoided like the plague.
He seemed nice enough, though. If Javier and Deke hung around him often, he had to be a good person beneath all that cockiness. Even more so since Deke had invited him to join us tonight.
“You’ve been her dad since the beginning, man,” EJ went on. “I swear the system is fucked up. No one should just come onto the scene trying to claim kids unless the current parent is trash or something.”
“Seriously,” Davina chimed in. “I don’t understand how he can waltz in and demand this. Does he not realize how hard this will be for you and Aleesa?”
“Oh, he realizes,” Deke muttered, head shaking. “He just doesn’t care. Dude sounds like a true piece of shit.”
“My lawyer believes he will not get custody, so that is good.” Javier sighed. “But she does think visitation may be a possibility.”
“Stupid,” Deke grumbled. This news seemed to really be bothering my future brother-in-law. Part of the reason could have been that he, Javier, and Aleesa were very close.
But another could be that the subject of dads was triggering for Deke. Davina had told me a few things about Deke’s childhood in confidence, and after hearing about it, I couldn’t blame him for being upset. Hell, I was upset for him. He didn’t deserve what he’d gone through.
“I don’t like this for you at all, man,” Deke said as Davina held his arm, rubbing soothing circles on it with her thumb. “I’m sorry you’re going through this.”
“It’s all right. Somehow, I am staying motivated and keeping my head clear.” Javier took a swig of beer. “It is best for Aleesa that I do.”
“So when’s the hearing?” Davina asked.
“Well, my lawyer requested an expedited hearing because we want this settled before the season starts, if possible. I should hear from her in a few days.”
“I really think you have a strong case.” I took Javier’s hand and squeezed it. He met my eyes, and a soft smile swept across his lips. “You’ll get through it. I’m sure of that.”
“With you by my side, I definitely will.” Javier smiled, squeezing my hand back.
I felt all mushy and warm from that smile and couldn’t suppress my own. Our eyes lingered on each other’s, and it wasn’t until billiard balls clashed in the distance and a group of people cheered in a far corner of the bar that we snapped out of it.
I took my hand away, and Javier cleared his throat, then picked up his beer and sipped again. I collected my tequila-and-pineapple drink and took a swig myself. I didn’t miss Davina’s grin or the way Deke wiggled his eyebrows.
“Told you so,” Deke said.
“Do not start, Bishop.” Javier fought a smile.
“So you two are a thing now?” EJ pointed between me and Javier.
“Do not worry about it,” Javier answered.