Page 100 of Power Play Daddies

My throat’s tight, and I hate how all these feelings are surfacing.

“What… what happened between you two?” I ask, though I already know.

He runs a hand through his hair. “I fucked up. I was young and stupid, and I destroyed both his and my futures.”

I glance back at him. “Uncle Ace,” I start, voice shaky.

He clenches his jaw, looking out the windshield. “I know, kid. I know. I’m sorry. I regret it all. I regret… everything.” He looks over at me, his voice cracking just a little. “I was supposed to be his protector, his keeper. But when the chance came, I fucked up. I took it… and it cost us. It cost me my brother.”

His words hit me like a truck. I remember all the things I used to hear about my dad and Uncle Ace.

The way my dad always felt like his shot was stolen, the petty things that went down. I remember him talking about my mom—how she was a puck bunny, someone Ace had a thing for.

God, the way my dad thought about Ace—hell, the way he thought about everything. It was always revenge.

Petty, dumb shit that never went away.

I can’t help it—I laugh, but it’s not funny. It’s bitter. “Talk about a family drama show,” I mutter.

Uncle Ace’s expression is tight, like he’s forcing himself to hold it together. “Yeah. It was all fucked. Your mom left right after you were born. Didn’t even show up to his funeral. She never loved him. I was so angry at him that I didn’t even talk to him for years, and all for a woman who never even showed up on his last day here. That shit cuts deep, Daisy.”

“Shit,” I say, shaking my head. “Yeah, no kidding. It’s always been a mess.”

We both sit there for a minute, just listening to the sound of the car’s engine idling. It’s quiet, but it’s not peaceful.

I can feel all the years of regret and anger swirling in the space between us.

“So, you don’t talk to her, huh?” Uncle Ace asks quietly.

I shake my head, looking out the window. “My mother? Fuck no!”

He nods, eyes darkening a little. “I get that. I do.”

I wipe away the last of the tears, breathing through the lump in my throat. “It’s just… all that shit. It messes with you.”

“I know,” he says softly. “And I know it’s been years, but… you’re the only part of my brother I have left, Daisy. So don’t push me away, okay?”

I look at him, really look at him, and for the first time in so long, I feel something soft in my chest. He’s trying. I know he is.

And maybe that’s all I need right now.

I let out a deep breath and wrap my arms around him, pulling him into a hug. It’s awkward, but it feels good. A real hug. The first one in ages.

“I won’t. I won’t push you away.”

He pats my back, rubbing my shoulder gently. “You don’t have to go through this alone, kid.”

I pull back, wiping my eyes again. I don’t want to cry anymore, but the lump in my throat isn’t going away.

“I don’t know who the father is,” I say, my voice cracking, fears that were almost gone resurfacing. “I don’t even know if he’ll be around when the baby gets here.”

Uncle Ace’s hand freezes on my back, and he looks at me, his eyes full of sympathy. “You’re not alone, Daisy. You’ll never be alone, okay? You’ve got me. And I don’t care who the father is. You’ve got me. I’ll be here.”

I nod, swallowing hard. “I’m scared, Uncle Ace.”

“Don’t be.” He strokes my back again, his voice soft and reassuring. “You’ll be okay. I swear it on my brother.”

I nod again, feeling the weight of his words sink in. I don’t tell him everything—there’s no way in hell I’m telling him it could be one of the guys on the team. Or that we’re all together—for now.