Page 115 of Let You Love Me

I’ve been here the whole fucking time. I had his child, and there was a time in the beginning when I would’ve forgiven him. When I dreamed of those words—that he’d want me enough to make a sacrifice. But that time has long since passed and I don’t genuinely believe him for a minute. If I’ve learned one thing about Chandler “the Chancelor” Lockhart over the years, it’s that he never does anything unless it’s for personal gain.

Sophie turns toward me, a triumphant smile lighting up her face, and I flash her a thumbs up and wait as she hurries back. She’s so stinking cute in her fuzzy T. rex costume, her light brown curls tumbling out from underneath the hood, and Chance is like a fucking thundercloud looming over me, ruining it.

I spare him a look. “You need to leave.”

He opens his mouth to argue, but I stare him dead in the eyes, my tone glacial as I say, “Now. I’m not even kidding. And stay away from us here on out.”

He scoffs, placing his hands on his hips like this is a big joke—like I’m a joke.

“I mean it, Chance. If you don’t, I’ll tell themeverything.”

“Who?”

“You know who.”

He flinches. “You can’t be serious. Lane, we’ve known each other for years.”

“Not one part of me cares.” Most of those years were miserable; the others soured long ago. “I understand that as one of my father’s players you’ll be around sometimes. But no extra trips to the house. Nothing more than necessary. And don’tevertry to seek me out again. Whatever this is—” I say, waving a hand between us and stepping forward to grab Sophie’s hand. “—won’t happen, so let’s stop pretending it will. Are we clear?”

#

With Chance gone, my spirits lift as I walk Sophie to the next house. I can finally breathe again, hold my head high without him dampening my mood.

We climb the front porch of the large Cape Cod where Sophie receives a giant 3 Musketeers, her favorite. I help her down the steps and over a giant crack in the walkway, followed by a large tree root. Her little feet shuffle through the fallen leaves, kicking them like confetti, when I hear someone yell our names.

I pause, recognizing the deep timbre, but am afraid to look for fear that I’m wrong when he calls out again.

“Lane! Sophie!”

I suck in a breath, then turn, and my gaze instantly finds him. Teagan is leaning out the window of his black Honda with one hand on the wheel while he slows to a crawl on the opposite side of the road.

Our eyes lock, and an elephant sits heavy on my chest. He gives me a flash of a smile before it’s gone again and he’s slowly pulling over.

He cuts the engine and hops out, racing across the street toward us at the same time Sophie tugs her hand from mine and runs for him.

“Sophie!” I yelp, afraid she’ll cross the road, but Teagan’s there before she even has the chance.

He sweeps her up and into his arms like it’s nothing, grinning from ear to ear while she squeals. “Why, is this a T. rex I’m holding in my arms?” he asks, peering at Sophie’s little face and pretending he doesn’t recognize her.

“Teagan.” She giggles the same way she did with my mother. “It’s me, Sophie!”

“Sophie,” he gasps. “Is that really you?”

“Yes.” She laughs some more while he feigns shock, and the elephant in my chest becomes a fucking stampede.

With a shake of his head, he sets her back on her feet and runs a hand over his chin in appraisal. “Yep. You’re the most terrifying dinosaur I’ve ever seen. I still can’t believe you’re actually my Sweet Sophie.”

“I am, I swear,” Sophie insists, then turns and skips over to me. With a tug on my arm, she says, “Mom, did you see that? I tricked him. Teagan didn’t know it was me,” she says like I didn’t witness their entire interaction firsthand.

“That’s awesome.” I cup her face, trying to contain the swooping, swirling feeling gathering inside of me that I can’t name.

In my periphery, I see Teagan draw closer, and I inhale a steadying breath, preparing myself for what I know those warm, cobalt eyes will do to me when they lock with mine this close.

I lift my gaze and blood buzzes in my veins. “You came.”

“Of course, I came.” His gaze softens. “Did you really think I wouldn’t?”

Before I can answer that question, he glances down at Soph and pats her fuzzy hood. “Did you really think T. rex could trick or treat without her caveman?”