His eyes softened for a mere moment before the hardness was back. His wall was back up, and that scared me. “It means a lot, Grace. I don’t doubt you care. But it’s more than feelings, Grace. It’s not running off the second shit gets real.”
We heard footsteps then Noelle yelling, “Dad, where’s my backpack?”
Caleb sighed and muttered a curse under his breath before he walked off to help Noelle.
CHAPTER 41
Caleb
I tossedand turned like I had the past few days. Nobody prepared you for how uncomfortable it was to sleep in the same bed as your ex-girlfriend, especially one who cheated on you, and your daughter in between the two of you.
Every night was the same song and dance. Noelle would start off in her own room but like clockwork, twenty minutes after tucking her into her bed, she was then standing in the doorway of my room. She needed reassurance that we were still there. I obliged, and while I was grateful that Grace was staying for Noelle, it didn’t make the circumstances any easier.
I was hurt by Grace’s actions. Where did we go from here? I tried not to express my displeasure too much, at least not to her face. I couldn’t lie. I was avoiding her during the day. I’d make myself busy at the bar, steering clear of my house at all costs. She didn’t stop by the bar either.
Grace was already dealing with the fallout from Fiona and Ms. Kenzie. They both were mad at Grace for leaving and blamed her for Noelle running away to the city. They were both older and set in their ways. They weren’t budging, even though I had spoken to each of them.
My mother forgave Grace, unknowing of the circumstance behind our breakup, and I was happy she had some people in her corner. Like Lucy. Apparently, Lucy and Grace remained close throughout the past month. Lucy even took a trip to the city to see her.
I sat on the edge of Noelle’s bed, watching as she curled up beneath the blankets. She had been too quiet since Grace found her at The Plaza. Since I nearly lost my mind searching for her. Since I realized how much I’d screwed up—again.
I ran a hand over my face, exhaling slowly before speaking. “You scared me, Noelle.”
Noelle shifted, pulling the blanket higher, like she wanted to disappear beneath it. “I didn’t mean to.”
“But you did.” My voice was gentler than I felt. “You can’t ever do that again. Take off like you did.”
She didn’t answer.
I sighed. “When the girls started bullying you, you should have told me. You can’t just run away when things get hard. I’m here for you. I will always fight for you. Staying is hard, but you have to face things.” I continued, “Even when they suck. Even when people aren’t kind. Because you’re stronger than you think, and you don’t have to do it alone. You’ve got me. And I promise, I’m not going anywhere.”
Noelle blinked up at me. “Grace promised she would be here and she still left us.”
Fuck! I ran my fingers through my hair. “Grace didn’t leave you. She left me. I pushed her away. People get into fights, and she got scared and made some mistakes. People make mistakes and we forgive them as long as they are trying to do better and change. Life is hard. Even grown-ups don’t know what to do sometimes.”
Yeah, sleeping with another guy is a huge mistake—especially when he was a massive asshole.
Her eyes welled with tears. “I love her, Dad. I know you do too!”
I shrugged. “The most important thing is you, Noelle. I’m going to be in contact with the school daily for check-ins, but you need to be honest with me.”
I kissed her head, and as I moved toward the door, I mumbled, “And give Grace some grace.” I laughed at my joke and the kid rolled her eyes.
They were already in cahoots again.
I glanced over and saw Noelle sprawled across the bed and Grace cuddled up beside her. My heart tugged, watching the scene. It looked so natural, so right, having Grace with us. Grace even seemed different, lighter almost. The sadness in her eyes was less visible and even her hair was darker. She said she wasn’t dying her hair blonde anymore and wanted to be “more real.” Whatever that meant.
I flipped off the covers, giving up on sleep. I went over to my closet and pulled on a hoodie. Glancing out the window next to the closet, I saw snow flurries starting to come down. We were expecting a bad storm. Schools were closed in anticipation, so Noelle was going to my mother’s for the day while I tried to put in a few hours at the bar before things got worse.
Grace was spending the day helping Jena at the bakery in hopes that it would butter up Ms. Kenzie in the process.
I pulled out the last drawer of my dresser and looked at the velvet box. I peeked my head out of the closet, taking in Grace’s frame. I sighed and left it in its hiding place. It killed me knowing my original plans for today, Valentine’s Day. I plannedto close the bar and decorate the place with hearts and flowers then propose to her.
What a silly idea that was.
The snow began falling thick and fast as soon as I got home from the bar. Noelle insisted on having a sleepover at my mother’s house. I was apprehensive to agree only because I didn’t want to reward Noelle for running away, but my mother said it would be good for her to find healthy separation again, so I relented.
I checked my phone, smiling at the pictures my mother sent of Noelle baking a heart-shaped cake and then drawing me a Valentine sketch.
