Daddy’s Law by K.C. Crowne

Chapter 32

Theo

Imissed Ava.

I missed her a lot.

Jesse wouldn’t give me updates, stating that it wasn’t my business to know anymore. He was right. My contract was over; providing me with information opened Ava up to the possibility of a security leak.

Not that I would leak information, but you never truly knew what was and wasn’t secure in this day and age of technology. Michael Santos and his people may have been environmental tree-hugging activists, but there was always the chance that they knew how to hack, too.

Still, I wanted to know. How was she doing? Were Wilson and the boys being good to her? I trusted the others, but the thought of Ava alone with a group of men who weren’t me awoke something protective.

I told myself she was fine. I had to. Because if not, I’d lose my fucking mind.

“Dad,” Cory scolded, “you need to pay attention when you’re using charcoal. It’ll get everywhere if you’re not careful.”

I looked down at the piece of sketch paper Cory had lent me, lifting my bit of charcoal pencil off the page. We were sitting at the kitchen table together, spending the afternoon drawing. Cory had placed an apple in front of me and coached me through the shading process. As it turned out, I wasn’t as astute a student as I remembered being. My lines were ugly, my shading was blotchy, and no matter how many times Cory mentioned my poor composition, I couldn’t get the hang of it.  Art and me… We just didn’t get along.

My son didn’t give up on me, though.

“It’s okay,” he encouraged. “It’s hard at first, but you just need to practice. That’s what Miss Cruise always used to say.” Cory’s face fell. “Ah, sorry.”

“Why are you apologizing?”

“You’ve been really sad ever since she left.”

I gave him a stiff smile. “I’m not sad. I’m fine.”

He looked me dead in the eye with a disapproving look. I wondered briefly where he picked that up. “Don’t lie, Dad. I can tell.”

I leaned back in my chair, stunned. I thought I’d been doing a good job carrying on as usual. Why were kids so damn perceptive?

“I miss her, too,” he said, still scribbling on his own page. His picture was miles better than mine. “The new teacher they gave us isn’t that good.”

“Oh yeah? Why’s that?”

“I mean, she’s nice and everything, but she’s not the same. She’s not as funny, and she doesn’t seem that interested in art. I don’t think she normally teaches art.”

“I’m sorry to hear that, buddy. Do you think I should find you a different art program?”

Cory shook his head. “No, it’s okay. Emilio and I kind of do our own thing in the back, so it’s not so bad. She just doesn’t compare to Miss Cruise.”

“Nobody can,” I mumbled to myself.

He put his pencil down and turned to face me, expression hard and serious. “Dad?”

“Hm?”

“I think we need to talk.”

I stiffened. “O-kay,” I said slowly.

“You like Miss Cruise, right?”

“I guess.”

“Be honest, Dad.”

I sighed, uncomfortable being put on the spot. “Fine, yes. I like Miss Cruise.”

“Like, like?”

“Cory—”

“Because I think she likes you, too. I don’t know. You seemed really happy when she was here, and that made me happy. I thought…” Cory took a deep breath. “I thought maybe you liked each other.”

My mind went completely blank. I thought Ava and I were careful, especially where Cory was concerned. But if my young son could figure that much out, it made me wonder just how obvious we were.

I leaned forward in my chair, speaking softly. “Listen, Ava and me… It’s true. We like each other very much.”

“Are you going to see her again after Uncle Jesse makes sure she’s safe?”

“It’s complicated.”

“Because of Mom?”

“Kind of.”

“I love and miss Mom very much. I’m sure she would want you to be happy, though, and Miss Cruise seems to make you happy.” He cast his eyes down to the floor. “And I don’t want you to be by yourself, Dad. If you’re sad, then I’m sad.”

I allowed his words to sink in, the gravity of it hitting me slowly with gradual build. I was impressed that he was so wise despite his years. He’d always been so mature for his age. In many ways, it was a relief to hear that if ever the situation occurred, he’d be okay with me seeing someone other than his mother.

But things between Ava and me weren’t that simple.

I stood by what I told her. She deserved more. Deserved a man who could give her the future she was looking for. I was man enough to step aside and give her that, even if she couldn’t see that I was only doing what was best for her.

I cringed internally.

What was best for her?

The way my gut wrenched at the thought told me everything I needed to know. I was full of shit. When it came to Ava, I wanted to be selfish. I wanted her all to myself, damned the consequences.

I was an incredibly lucky man to have found Cassandra.

I was an impossibly lucky man to have found Ava, a blessing in a paint-stained disguise.

What were the odds that I could fall in love twice in one lifetime?

“Thank you, Cory.”

“You’re welcome,” he replied, returning to his art project with a smile. “So, have you kissed Miss Cruise yet or…”

I lifted an eyebrow. “That’s none of your business, young man.”

He grinned. “Ah, so you have.”

My eye twitched. “I’m going to get started on dinner.”

“But it’s only three.”

“It takes longer to barbecue than you think,” I reminded him.

“Does kissing a girl feel weird?”

I stood up abruptly. “We’re not having this conversation until you’re older.”

Cory laughed. “You’re so weird, Dad.”

I ruffled his hair. “Go wash your hands. Emilio and his parents are going to be here soon for the barbecue.”

His eyes brightened. “Can I light some fireworks?”

“I’ll light them for you. You can stand nearby.”

“Aww,” he whined. “Alright. But I get to help flip burgers.”

I chuckled. “Alright. Sounds like we’ve got a deal.”