Page 114 of C is for Comfort

“Yes. Thank you.”

“Any time, sweet boy. Any time.”

Once my tears have dried off, I doze in Daddy’s arm. He strokes my hair and back the whole time, his comforting grip never faltering. I’m stupidly lucky to have a Daddy like him in my life.

Sometime later, my phone alerts me to a new text message. Bleary-eyed, I sit and grab it from the coffee table, reading the message from Blake.

Blake:Sorry I ran off. I’m okay. I’m going home with Gabe and Calvin tonight. Forgive me?

Corey:There’s nothing to forgive. I’m glad you’re okay and that you’re with your men.

“Everything okay?” Spence asks.

“Yeah. That was Blake. He’s okay. Gabe and Calvin are with him, and he’s going to stay with them tonight.”

Spence smiles. “That’s good.”

I run my thumb over my phone screen. It’s gone dark again, hiding Blake’s message.

We’re all moving on. Archie with Hamish. Blake with Gabe and Calvin. I need to move on too. I glance around the room. I’m going to miss this place, but I know Lexi and I will make our next place into a home quickly.

“Can you stay a while longer?” I ask.

“I can stay for as long as you need me to.”

“Thank you, Daddy.”

I settle back into his arms. I wish he didn’t need to leave at all. Tomorrow, I’ll be able to sleep in his arms all night. We’ll talk, we’ll touch, and I’ll wake up feeling content and loved.

23

Spencer

I put my arm around Corey’s waist as Lexi climbs up the ladder to the slide. We’re at a playground a ten-minute walk from their house. Lexi is still in her school uniform, her blonde hair in chaotic bunches.

“Are you feeling better today, sweet boy?” I ask as Corey leans his head on my shoulder.

“Yes, Daddy. Thank you for coming over.”

“It was my pleasure.”

It absolutely was. As much as I don’t like the thought of him being upset or worried, I was honoured that he’d called me.

“Daddy!” Lexi calls. “Spence!”

I raise my eyebrows as she waves at us both, surprised that she called to me as well as Corey.

“You did say she’d come around,” Corey says before turning his face towards me so he can kiss my neck.

“I did.” I’m just a little surprised she’s warming to me so fast. I’m not sure what I’ve done to impress her in the two days since I last saw her.

She goes down the slide, screeching with delight and then runs over to us. “Did you see?”

“I did, pudding,” Corey says, ruffling her hair.

“Will you push me on the swing?” she looks at me.

“Of course,” Corey says.