Page 39 of Hot Four Teacher (The Lawson’s #4)
Chapter thirty-eight
I sure as Shit Would have Hit Him
Dane
I pace around my house, hoping my phone will ring with word from Michelle that she’s okay. I look for something to clean to keep my mind occupied, but who am I kidding? This place is spotless.
A knock on the door has me practically jogging to figure out who it is. When I swing it open, I see a teary Michelle standing on my porch.
“Michelle? Come on in, baby.”
She walks in and says, “I’m sorry I didn’t call first.”
“Come here.” I wrap her in a hug. “You don’t ever have to call first.”
She softly cries against my chest. I have no idea what happened, but I know I already don’t like this Danny guy. Hell, I didn’t like him when I heard he was only there for Eve when it was convenient for him.
Fatherhood isn’t a part-time job, and I can’t stand men who think it is. I’ve been a teacher for years, and I’ve seen the toll absent parents take on my students. It’s heartbreaking.
“What happened, baby?” I ask.
It takes a moment, but she gathers herself and begins to speak. “I went over to see what the hell was wrong with him. I thought he would show some kind of remorse. Maybe he’d feel bad about everything that happened, but no. He didn’t feel bad about any of it. He called her dramatic, and he…”
Her voice gets caught in her throat for a moment. “He pretty much told me life would be easier if I had taken care of the problem after I found out I was pregnant.”
“He said what?” I practically roar.
She nods. “He said both our lives would’ve been better if she hadn’t been born. It was like he was blaming her for all of his problems.”
I can’t believe what I’m hearing. “He’s a fucking idiot. I’m so sorry he said all of that to you.”
“I don’t care about me,” she says. “I can take anything he wants to say about me. It pisses me off that he made Eve feel like she didn’t matter.”
“Did you hit him?” I ask, only half-joking. I sure as shit would have hit him.
“No,” she chuckles. “I wanted to, but I didn’t.”
“Good girl. How did you leave things?”
She walks over to the couch and sits down. “He told me that he has a shiny new family and that he wasn’t going to let anything ruin that. He said maybe a fresh start would be best for everyone.”
“He said that?”
“He said quite a few more words than that, but that was the basic point.”
“Shit.” I sigh and run my hand over my beard.
“I have no idea what to say to Eve. How do I tell her that her dad doesn’t want to be her dad anymore? How do I make this easier on her?”
“Baby, I don’t know that you can do anything to make it easier. Maybe you just be there for her.”
“I hate that I gave her such a shitty father.”
“Hey,” I get her attention so that she looks at me. “This isn’t on you. None of it is.”
“Do you think that I should’ve just kept him away from her from the start?”
I take her hand in mine. “No. I think you did the right thing. Had you kept him away, Eve would’ve resented you. It’s probably best that he showed his true colors, and she got to form her own opinions about him.”
“I guess,” she mutters as she chews on her lip.
“Are you okay?”
Her eyes find mine again. “I’m sorry I came over here and dumped all of this on you. I was just upset, and you were the only one I wanted to talk to.”
“Baby, you don’t ever have to apologize for coming here or venting to me. I’m always here for whatever you need.”
Her eyes glisten with tears again. “Man, I wish I would’ve met you back then instead of him.”
“Me too. But we found each other now, and that’s all that matters.”
“I’m also sorry that our sexy time together was cut short.”
I smile. ‘You have priorities. I get it. I’m just sorry I didn’t get to make you come.”
“Rain check?”
“Anytime, anywhere, beautiful.”
She leans over to lay her head on my chest. I hate that she’s gone through all of this tonight, but I’m glad she felt comfortable enough to come here. I want to be her safe space.
I kiss the top of her head, knowing she’s going to have to leave soon but trying to enjoy this moment as much as possible.