In the back seat, my daughter hears her name and babbles back to us.
I’m so conflicted about everything, except I want to do what’s right for Poppy, and getting off to a good foot now with Cricket will only help down the road. I don’t want to be one of those people who argue over a kid. That wouldn’t be healthy for my daughter, so I’m setting aside my reservations to try to mend this bridge.
It helps that Gabby is so supportive. After everything she went through with Miranda, I wouldn’t blame her if she didn’t want to meet Cricket or be involved today, but my woman is amazing. She says that Poppy comes first and agrees this is a good step.
My girlfriend sends me off with a kiss, and I head in, hoping I’m making the right decision.
“Mr. Kingston,” a receptionist greets me. “We’re expecting you. This way.”
She escorts me down a long hallway. This could be the Four Seasons for how nicely it’s decorated. Were it not for the security cameras and locked main entrance, I wouldn’t know the difference.
She knocks on one of the rooms, and my heart pounds as I enter behind her. “Cricket, dear, you have a visitor.” The receptionist closes the door behind me.
The waify woman who greets me is not what I expect. For one, I don’t recognize her. At all. Two, she looks like a little fairy princess with long, blonde hair, but is so slender, she might disappear behind the curtains if she steps behind them. Third, she gets right to the point.
With an embarrassed smile, she introduces herself. “Hi, Rider. I’m Adele’s granddaughter.” She twists her hands together. “Sorry I drugged you and got knocked up.”
From what Adele tells me, Cricket was just as surprised by the strength of those brownies as I was.
Blowing out a breath, I fix a smile on my face and hold out my hand. “Nice to formally meet you.” After a tense minute of silence, I just admit it. “I’m sorry, but I don’t really remember you.”
She grimaces. “It’s okay. I don’t remember you either. And you’re definitely not the kind of guy a girl forgets.”
I shift. Run a hand through my hair. “Things obviously got out of hand. I’m so sorry if… I ever did anything you didn’t want me to do.” God, this is awkward.
“Please, don’t apologize to me. I’m sorry my asshole dealer gave me a bag of pot laced with PCP, and I made an extra-big batch of brownies.”
Well, that would explain how Knox landed in someone’s garden naked.
Damn, I guess we’re all lucky no one did anything extra-crazy and died that day.
She rubs her hand down her arm. “Is Poppy doing well?”
I’m still reeling from her admission. I clear my throat. “She’s great. She’s here with my girlfriend Gabby if you want to see her,” I say hesitantly. Adele assured me she would make sure Cricket knew I was in a committed relationship so there would be no confusion.
Her head bobs.
I have no problem accepting her apologies for what happened to me that weekend. People make mistakes. I get it. But I do have a problem with how she dropped off the baby.
“Can I ask a question?” When she agrees, I ask, “Why did you leave Poppy at my house like that? Why didn’t you talk to me? I’m not an ogre. We could’ve discussed things like adults.”
Her eyes fill with tears. “I’m so horrified to admit this, but…” She sniffles. Wipes her eyes. “I wasn’t sure who the father was. I kept seeing the Broncos on TV because y’all were doing so well. I thought it was a sign, that I needed to get Poppy to her father.”
She’s full-on crying now. I hand her a box of tissues that’s sitting on her coffee table. Sensing she needs a minute, I’m quiet.
After she blows her nose, more tears stream down her face. “Now that I’m here and have had time to process everything, I feel like the worst human on the planet. Like, how could I leave her like that? Anything could’ve happened to her. I just felt so overwhelmed and couldn’t stand it any longer. I know I should’ve talked to you or one of your roommates, but I felt so ashamed.”
It might take me some time to come to terms with this, but after watching my father struggle with an addiction his entire life and still not beat it, I want Cricket to know I’m on her side. Gabby and I are on her side.
“Everything worked out. I’m not crazy about how it happened, but she’s one of the best things to ever happen to me.” I pat her shoulder awkwardly.
I don’t want to be angry at her anymore. Life’s too short. She knows she made a mistake and obviously wants to make amends. Hell, I’m not sure I would’ve known what I would’ve done in her position, so I can’t go throwing stones.
“Poppy’s doing well. I love her so much. She’s getting big.” The more I talk, the calmer she grows. “You should see her with my roommates. It’s like she has a house of uncles. She’s never lacking for love or attention. My girlfriend…” I trail off when I think of how much Gabby has done for me. “She’s amazing. She helps me so much with Poppy. Gabby loves her. Adores her, really.”
“So you don’t hate me?”
I take a deep breath. “You carried the most precious human for nine months. How could I hate you?”
