Thinking about it for a moment, I say, “I don’t really know. I guess I never thought too far ahead because I wanted to enjoy it for what it was, and I had tricked myself into believing it was just physical. That it was just something I’d move on from.”
“Have you talked to him?”
I shake my head, gripping the steering wheel tighter. “He won’t talk to me.”
“What about Jade?”
Another terse shake of the head. “We aren’t really talking either—well, we are, but not about that. It’s mostly just about Suzy.”
Shooter is quiet for a second as we turn onto the dirt road that leads to the campsite. “Want my advice?” he finally asks as I’m putting the truck into park.
I glance over at him.Do I?Couldn’t hurt, I guess. “Sure.”
“It very well could be something you get over. Itcouldpass. He was the first guy you’ve been with, and that could be where your feelings come from.” He pauses, and I swear it’s just for dramatic effect. “Or, there really could be more there. If that’s the case, don’t let him ice you out. Give him space, but not too much. But just know, if thatisthe case, I highly doubt Jade is going to get on board all that easy, and I know you have to raise Suzy with her, so that may make things harder. But if it were me with Sterling, there’s no way I would’ve let anything come between us. When you know, you know, and sometimes it’s not always the ideal situation, but if it's meant to be, you guys will get through it, eventually.”
Damn. That isnotwhat I thought he was going to say. My heart pounds as I replay his words. “When the hell did you get so…romantic and good with your words?”
He grins, reaching for the door handle. “Duh, when Sterling came into my life. You’re welcome, by the way.” With a wink, he gets out, leaving me to follow.
Since we’re competing tomorrow, we’re just hanging out at the campsite tonight. We decided to grill some steaks and baked potatoes over the campfire for dinner, and we all cracked open a couple of beers while the music plays. As far as campsites go, this one is fairly empty for the time of year. There’re hardly any other people around us, which is nice.
Around seven, I head into the camper to FaceTime with Suzy before she goes to bed. It rings a few times before Jade answers. “Hey, hang on,” she says. “I’ll go get her.”
“Okay. When I’m done talking with her, can you and I talk, please?”
Jade stares through the phone at me, and I swear I see her jaw working as she clamps down on it. “I guess.” She bounds up the stairs, the phone pointed toward the ceiling as she walks to Suzy’s room. Pushing open the door, Jade says, “Suzy, baby, Daddy is on the phone for you.”
“Daddy!” A smile spreads on my face at her excitement. The phone shakes a little as Jade hands Suzy the phone and she positions herself on her bed. “Hi, Daddy!”
“Hi, princess. What are you doing?”
“Playing Barbies,” she replies. “Barbie and her friends are going to the beach.”
“Are they?”
“Yeah. They’re gonna go swimming and have snacks in the sand.”
“Do they have their bathing suits?”
“Duh, Daddy. They can’t go swimming without them.”
“I’m so sorry, you’re right. What was I thinking?”
“Where’s Uncle Grady?”
My chest squeezes. “He’s not here right now, baby.”
She sighs dramatically. Her little life is so hard. “But I want to talk to him.”
“Well, I’m sorry. Maybe try calling his phone.”
Suzy and I talk about her Barbies’ trip to the beach and what she’s been up to since I left—she had a sleepover at my parents’ house that apparently was “super-duper fun,” her words not mine—for about a half an hour before she announces she’s getting tired and wants to get off the phone.
“Okay, I love you, princess. Go give the phone back to your mommy. I have to talk to her.”
“Love you too, Daddy.” I nearly get motion sick while I wait for her to locate her mom and hand her the phone.
Jade comes on the screen, but she’s looking at Suzy, not me. “Thank you, baby. Go brush your teeth and climb into bed. I’ll tuck you in once I’m done talking to your daddy.” After a few moments, she looks at me. “Hey.”
