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“Daddy’s got you, baby,” he whispers in my ear. He doesn’t let go as I calm myself down. When I finally do, he takes my face between his hands. “I’ve missed you, baby girl.”
“I’ve missed you, too, Dad,” I say. “I’m sorry I…”
“Aht,” Bella says as she walks into the room. “There’s another pair of shoes.”
“Wanna help me grill?” Beckett asks me.
“Sure,” I say with a small smile. It’s far too tense in this house right now, so I jump at the chance to get out. I step out onto the back patio with Beckett, and he sets a stainless steel sheet pan of burgers, hot dogs, and seasoned chicken down.
“Thank you,” I say. “For getting me out of there.”
“Always,” he says, smiling. “Something wrong?”
“Mason just… he looks angry. It makes me feel nervous,” I say.
“It’s hard to bury seven years of shit in a day,” he says. “He’s trying, though.”
“Yeah. It’s just a weird vibe. I’m not used to y’all not being friends.”
“Honestly…” he says, opening the grill. “Me either. It’s been years, and I still miss him.”
“Why not kiss and make up, or whatever?” I ask.
“We are both hardheaded, but I’d like to,” he admits. “He’s just gotta be there, too. Can’t force someone to be happy.”
“Don’t I know it,” I say, rolling my eyes.
“He’s not Anthony, Kitten,” Beckett says, but then grins. “Don’t you dare tell him I defended him, though. I’ll deny it.”
“Your secret is safe with me,” I say, smiling. “He’s always been a big baby when he gets his feelings hurt. You both have.”
“Ouch, Sierra,” he says, grabbing his chest as if he’s been wounded. “You aren’t wrong, though. Men, am I right? Can’t live with them…”
“Isn’t there another half of that saying?” I ask, laughing.
“Hell no. You ever been around a bunch of men when their man periods sync up? It’s like a bunch of high school mean girls,” he says, making me laugh more.
“What are we laughing about?” Ace asks, stepping out and wrapping his arm around my shoulder. “Damn, girl. Did you shrink?”
“No,” I laugh. “You’re just tall.”
“Mmm. I don’t know. I’m average. But you…”
“If you call her below average, I might hit you for her,” Beckett teases.
“What scale we lookin’ at, because damn girl. You hidin’ a cake in them jeans?”
I laugh and cover my face as I blush. He cackles like a witch as he hugs me. “I’ve missed having you to pick on, Little Shaw,” he says, kissing my temple.
“I missed you, too, Alexander,” I say, giggling when he gasps loudly and steps back like I’ve shocked him.
“Not my government name. I thought you loved me, Sierra?”
“Love hurts, apparently,” I say with a half-hearted smile. I instantly regret dampening the mood, but then he grins.
“Good thing I’m a masochist,” he says.
“Freak,” Beckett laughs.
