Page 13 of Hold Me Tight

As much as I hate asking him for anything, I’m out of options. So, if I have to swallow my pride to keep things afloat, that’s exactly what I’ll do. “I’m behind on the loan for the bakery. Business has been tough with the economy. I’m trying to make it work, but I could really use some help. Just this once.”

He frowns. “Damn, girl. I wish I could, but everything’s tied up in the show. We’re putting money into production, styling, locations?—”

I can only blink.

He’s joking, right?

The man is wearing sunglasses that cost more than six months of rent.

“Zane,” I say again, firmer this time. “I need help.”

There’s no way to say it plainer than that.

He shifts on the couch and then glances at Nora as she slips her smaller hand into his before grinning up at him. “Kind of funny timing, actually. I was going to talk to you about lowering the child support payments. Maybe taking a break for a while.”

My mouth falls open as my brain short-circuits. “What?”

He shrugs. “Things are a little tight, and Gigi and I are looking at some investment properties. Maybe a fixer-upper we could add to the show. People eat that home improvement shit right up.” He taps the side of his head. “You always gotta be three steps ahead at all times. Plus, I figured Nora’s still young. How much does a two-year-old really need?”

His obliviousness slams into me, leaving me to reel.

“Do you think raising a child is cheap?” It’s impossible to keep the waver from my tone. “You think rent, food, and clothes just magically appear? Poof. There they are.”

“You’re amazing, Cal,” he says, untangling his hand from Nora’s and popping to his feet before heading toward the door. “You’ll figure it out. You always do.”

He leaves without even saying goodbye to his daughter.

I can only stare at the now closed door.

“Bye-bye, Dada,” Nora says, waving her chubby little hand even though her father is long gone.

As much as I’d like to fall to pieces, that’s not an option. Instead, I scoop Nora up and force a smile. “How about we make popcorn and watch another show before bed?”

Her eyes brighten. “Pop-pop.”

“Yup. Popcorn fixes everything,” I mutter, carrying her into the kitchen.

Except rent.

And late loan payments.

Zane is right about one thing, though. Somehow, I always manage to figure it out.

And I’ll continue to do it for as long as I need to.

This isn’t just about me anymore. It’s about making sure my daughter is taken care of.

6

River

The hum of fluorescent lights and the faint trickle from the showers echo through the locker room as I pull off my jersey and run a towel over my sweat-drenched face. Steele, Knox, Oliver, Jax, and Laiken are mid-conversation about this weekend’s game when Zane strolls into the locker room with a towel wrapped around his waist.

“Some of you really need to step it up out there,” he announces. “This is supposed to be a team effort.”

Steele glares before crossing his arms in front of him. “Is there anyone in particular you’d like to call out? Or is this more of a general statement?”

With a shrug, Zane whips off his towel. “Just saying. Unlike some of you clowns, I’ve got a lot riding on us winning a Stanley this year.”