And if there’s even a small chance I can take the edge off the fucked-up situation I caused…I’m fucking doing it.

I’m grabbing my gym bag off the floor so I can get a quick workout in before my shift starts when I hear a knock on my door.

I open it and I’m greeted by my frazzled looking Dad who’s holding a happy as can be C.J.

I’m beginning to think the terrible two’s are some kind of myth because that kid is always in a good mood.

“Hey.”

Dad swiftly places C.J. in my arms. “Can you watch her for an hour or so? An emergency happened at work and I have to get my ass to the office before an atomic bomb goes off.”

Given he has a high-stress job, there’s always an atomic bomb threatening to go off. However, I’ve rarely seen him so out of sorts so whatever’s going down must be big.

“Sure.” I bounce C.J. in my arms as she reaches for my cheeks. “You want to hang out with your big brother today?”

She grins. “Uh-oh.”

I keep wondering if she’s ever going to say my name right, but I know I’m going to seriously miss her calling me Uh-oh the moment she does.

“Thanks, I owe you.” Dad hands me her diaper bag. “Everything is in here.” Bending down, he kisses C.J.’s head. “Daddy loves you, be good for your brother.”

With that, he takes off and C.J. stares up at me in wonder.

It’s never been just the two of us before.

“You hungry?”

“Hungry,” she repeats, as if testing the word on her tongue before shouting, “Chee-chees.”

Fortunately for her, I know that means she wants her Cheerios.

Unfortunately for me, my dad forgot to pack them.

Shit.

As if sensing they aren’t anywhere to be found, she starts screaming Chee-chees at the top of her little lungs.

Fucking hell.

Thinking quick, I rummage around my cabinets and fridge. However, all I have is beef jerky, soda, a few bottles of water, and some left over takeout.

The way C.J.’s face scrunches tells me she isn’t happy about this one bit.

Cue the meltdown in…five, four, three, two…one.

Attempting to soothe her by walking around my apartment, I scan my brain for something she might like.

That’s when it dawns on me.

“Hey, baby sis. You want some ice cream?”

There’s an ice cream shop about a block away which is easily in walking distance.

Suddenly, her cries of injustice over no Chee-chees comes to a halt.

Crystal is super strict about never letting her have any sugar, but given C.J.’s big bro is the epitome of a rule breaker, I grab my wallet and head out the door.

Chapter 24

Bianca

“I’ll be at your apartment in one minute,” I tell Stone from the back seat of the Uber.

I have a two-hour break between classes today, so we made plans to spend some time together at his place and eat lunch.

I hear him sigh over the line. “Shit.”

“What’s wrong?”

Another sigh. “Ruth and I made plans to study. We have a big test coming up and we’re both nervous about it.” A weird note enters his voice. “Don’t worry, it’s not like that. Robby’s joining us when he gets out of class.”

I’m not sure how to feel about this. On one hand, I know his schedule is insane and studying for tests is important.

But on the other?

We made plans and I’m annoyed he didn’t let me know he was breaking them sooner.

I also don’t know how to feel about him insinuating I had nothing to worry about with him and Ruth because I wasn’t even concerned to begin with.

However, I know he’s super stressed, so I decide to let it go. “It’s fine. I’ll just grab a bite to eat on campus and head back to my dorm.”

I’m about to ask the Uber driver if he can pop a u-ey, but Stone says, “Actually, I was kind of hoping you could do me a favor.”

“What kind of favor?”

“Can you do my laundry? I’ve been working my ass off, burning the candle at both ends and I figured since you have so much free time seeing as you’re not working and all, you could help me out.”

I grind my molars so hard I’m surprised they don’t turn to dust.

It’s not the fact that he asked me to do his laundry.

It’s the way he managed to make it seem like me being a full-time student myself was no big deal. Granted, I’m fortunate that my dad insisted I not work my first year of college due to all the shit that happened last year because he didn’t want me to be overloaded, but still.

Forcing myself to breathe, I let it roll off my back because we’ve been arguing a lot lately and I’m so tired of it.

“Fine.”

I’m about to hang up, but then he says, “Do you think you can vacuum too?”

“Sure thing,” I grit through my teeth before I click the end call button.

A ball of dread lodges in my throat.

I’m starting to feel less like his fiancée and more like his maid.

Reluctantly, I hop out of the Uber.

I’m heading inside the building when I spot Oakley walking through the parking lot.

With a baby in his arms.

Well, not a baby, because she’s definitely more of a toddler, but still.

My breath stalls as they come into view.

She’s the most beautiful little girl I’ve ever seen. Blonde hair done up in pigtails, cherubic rosy cheeks, big bright blue eyes…and my favorite feature.

An adorable, albeit mischievous cheeky grin that invites you to smile right along with her.

One that’s near identical to Oakley’s.

Oh, boy. I didn’t know he was a father.

Then again how could I? We only started our newfound friendship two days ago and haven’t had a chance to hang out yet.

I approach them gingerly. “Hi.”

Oakley who’s digging around a diaper bag while holding two ice cream cones, and his kid, looks up. “Hey.”

“Do you want some help?” I offer.

“Nah, I got this.” He places the little girl down. “Besides, C.J. can stand on her own, can’t you?”

She gives him a big smile and I can’t help but notice the chocolate ice cream smeared all over her face as she makes little grabby hands for him.

Oakley shakes his head. “In a minute, let me clean your face first.”

“She’s so beautiful.” I look down at the little girl who’s still making those grabby hands. “I had no idea you had a daughter.”

A flash of pain flickers in his eyes and I silently curse myself because it’s really none of my business.

“She, uh… she’s not.” He fishes some wipes out of the bag. “C.J.’s my little sister.”

“Oh.”

A weird twist of relief goes through my chest and I have no idea why.

Oakley bends down and starts wiping her face, but she’s not a fan of that because she turns away and starts yelling, “Eye-cream.”

I can tell Oakley wants to cave, but he’s trying his best not to. “I know, but I have to get rid of the evidence before Dad comes.”