Chapter 24

Finn

It’s been two weeks since I left Macey and Morgan, and today they’ll be here visiting for the weekend. The day after our trip around the lake, I bought Macey a car. I had to know that she and Morgan were safe at all times and not dependent upon the bus to take them places. Also, since I left, my relationship with my father has been rejuvenated and that is all because of Morgan. I still hate his wife, more so now since he had asked me not to stay in the house because of her. If he left her today, I’d throw him a party with all the best pussy in Vegas. Make him another Hugh Hefner.

I speak to Morgan every day. Her mother not so much, unless it’s to check on how Morgan is doing or make flight arrangements. Things have chilled out between Macey and me and that’s because of me. She wants things that I can’t give her, namely a relationship, not that she’s come out and said that, but when she tells me that she misses me red flags go up and I try to avoid them at all cost. Where I see her as a sweet piece of pie fuck-buddy, with the most delicious cunt I have ever tasted, I have a strong feeling that Macey sees me as boyfriend material and that’s something I’ll never be. Even though I miss the fuck out of her. I can’t decipher if I miss her pussy and tits, or if I actually miss Macey. I suppose at some point they go hand in hand, but the bottom line is I can’t be the man she deserves.

That doesn’t mean I want her out looking for another man, though. If she found someone I’d probably have a fucking coronary and move her into hiding. I’m a selfish prick and not willing to give her up. She also doesn’t know that I’m not sleeping with anyone else and have curbed the nights I spend out. If I’m not at a fundraiser or gala, I’m home living a solitary life. She’s asked about my dates, though, and I’ve ignored her questions. I’m unable to admit to her—or myself—that it’s only her pussy that I crave, when I used to desire every piece of hot ass that walked into my casino.

Every day, like clockwork, Morgan calls me when she gets home from school. I’ve planned my days around three forty-five in the afternoon so I can talk to her. I don’t care what type of meeting I’m in, or what I’m doing, my daughter gets my undivided attention until she’s ready to get off the phone. I never knew ten-year-old girls had so much drama until now, but damn, every day it’s something new.

Aside from Lamar, no one knows Morgan is my daughter. Not even Hannah. I trust Hannah, but am afraid she may slip someday and I’m not ready for the shitstorm of media attention that the announcement would bring. Plus, I’m still dealing with Brandy and until I can get her under control, Morgan’s my secret.

With my father giving me my inheritance early, Brandy is pretty much out of the picture, except for the social aspect. Even though I have refused to attend with her, I do stand next to her for pictures at the functions we’re at. It’s a save-face type of situation. Her father is powerful and the last thing I want to do for my business is piss him off. Until I can have a sit-down with him, I’ll plaster a fake-ass smile on my face each time the camera is near.

Lamar comes in and shuts my door quietly behind him. I sit up straight, wondering what could be going on. If I go by the look on his face, it would seem that someone has died.

“What’s wrong?”

He puts his finger to his lips, telling me to keep quiet, and uses his other hand to point toward my wall that abuts Hannah’s desk. I quickly pull up the security camera and see that Brandy is out there with Hannah.

“What the hell does she want?” I slam my head back into my chair and sigh. I’ve asked Brandy repeatedly to stay away from my office, but my requests fall on deaf ears. She says it’s important that people see her milling about my office so they know she’s welcome. Thing is, she isn’t. Hannah knows this and I’m assuming she is trying to keep her away.

When my intercom rings, I freeze and look at Lamar, who is shaking his head. A quick glance at my watch tells me I have twenty minutes before I need to be at the airport to pick up Macey and Morgan.

“What am I going to do?”

“I’ll take care of it,” he says, rising to his feet. His large body unfolds in front of me, and if he weren’t one of my best friends, I’d recoil from fear. With my eyes set on the computer screen I watch him go out and speak to Hannah and then face Brandy. Her arms are flailing about. When I see Lamar point toward the door, I chuckle. I shouldn’t, because I know I haven’t been very forthcoming with her, but I can’t help it. I need to tell her that we’ll never be together and worry about my reputation later.

Lamar returns with a shit-eating grin on his face. “That felt good,” he says, sitting back down in the chair and sighing.

“What exactly did you say to her?”

“Nothing that wasn’t true. I told her that men don’t like needy women and that a man has to work to bring home the bacon. If she’s always coming around you can’t work, and if you can’t work, what’s the point of her coming to see you.”

I sit here shaking my head, dumbfounded by what he said. “I’m confused.”

“I think she was too, which is why she left so easily. Speaking of leaving,” he says, pointing at his watch.

“Right, I should get going.” I shut off my computer and place the file I’ve been working on in my bag so I can take it home with me. I don’t expect to get much work done while Morgan is here, but it’ll be there if I need it. “Can you take care of getting Macey a gown for tonight?”

“I already did, and also put her other ones back in your closet.”

His words catch me off guard, and try as I might, I can’t keep the smile off my face.

“I’m excited to meet her.” Lamar stands and holds my office door open for me.

“You’ve already met Macey.”

“I’m talking about Morgan,” he says, giving me a look. I know what he’s doing. He’s trying to call me out on my bullshit, pointing out that I have feelings for Macey when I won’t admit them to myself.

I pause and nod. “I never thought I’d be this excited to see someone, but it’s like she was my missing piece.”

“Who, Morgan or Macey?”

“Morgan, of course.”

“Are you sure about that?”

Instead of answering him, I take my leave. Avoidance is easy and where I’m at with Macey is perfect for me. I don’t have to worry about jealousy or impossible demands that come with being in a relationship. Right now, focusing on Morgan and establishing a relationship with her is far more important.

The drive to McCarran is quick and thankfully the lack of traffic has me there in time, but that doesn’t mean I’m on time. As soon as I park, I’m running through wayward travelers to get to baggage claim. This section of the airport is under construction and is an utter mess. It can be hard to navigate if you’re not paying attention. At least that’s what I’m telling myself while I wait by the door and continually check the monitor to see if they’ve landed. Running through the crowd has nothing to do with the fact that I want them to see me as soon as they come through the door.

I see Macey and Morgan before they see me. The mom-and-daughter combo are holding hands and Morgan’s eyes are looking around widely. I wish I had the sense to capture this on camera, but I don’t. I keep my phone tucked in my pocket and try to commit Morgan’s expression to memory.

As soon as Morgan sees me, her face morphs into a huge smile. She starts to run, dragging Macey behind her until she finally lets go. I don’t know what to do, but I’ve seen enough television shows and movies to remember that I should kneel down. When she reaches me, she doesn’t stop or slow down; it’s a full-on barrel tackle and I’m barely able to keep myself upright when my arms wrap around her.

We don’t speak, she hugs me and I hold on for dear life. When Macey reaches us I can see in her eyes that she’s torn between happiness and longing. I pull her into our embrace and she comes willingly.

“How was your flight?” I ask, letting Macey go and putting Morgan down.

“It was the coolest thing ever. We got to go on the plane first while everyone else had to wait and we got to sit up front. The lady in the blue dress kept asking me if I wanted anything and she kept bringing me snacks.”

“That’s the luxury of being in first class,” I tell Morgan, who looks completely wiped after a two-hour flight.

Morgan continues to jabber while we walk to their luggage terminal. “Everything good?” I ask Macey, who shrugs. I can already sense it’s going to be a long weekend and I’ll probably send her to the spa to get a massage or something, anything I can do to help ease her stress.

With the car loaded and everyone situated, we’re heading back to the hotel. Morgan is oohing and aahing at everything she sees, while Macey is quiet. I was hoping that she’d put on a game face for Morgan, but apparently not. She’s letting me know loud and clear that being here is an inconvenience for her.

I make sure to use the valet when we arrive back at the hotel. I want Morgan to see it all, the grandeur of the hotel, when she enters. With her hand in mine and my other hand on the small of Macey’s back, we enter, much to the shocked delight of my daughter.

“Whoa, you own this?”

“Well, we do,” I say, crouching down next to her. She’s the perfect combination of Macey and me with her dark hair and blue eyes. I can see a little bit of me when I was a kid in her, but all her beauty comes from her mother.

“What does that mean?”

“Well, since I’m your dad and I own this, it means that you do too. You’re too young to work here, though, or boss anyone around.”

She crosses her arms over her chest and juts her lower lip out before her mood turns to laughter. “Someday, I’ll be the boss.”

“Yep, someday.”

Macey still hasn’t said anything by the time we reach my apartment, but after giving Morgan a tour and showing her what is now her room, decorated in princess motifs because that is what Lamar said ten-year-olds like, Macey finally speaks up, asking, “Where am I sleeping?”

I look at her and frown, telling Morgan to play with the toys I bought and that we’ll be right back before escorting Macey downstairs and into my bedroom.

“Why wouldn’t you sleep in here with me?”

“I don’t want to send the wrong message to Morgan,” she says, stepping away from me and moving toward the window.

“What message is that exactly?”

“That you sleep in a man’s bed when you have a sleepover.”

“Except I’m her father and unless you’ve started seeing someone, I don’t understand what the problem is.”

She doesn’t answer me, instead focuses all her attention on the action outside the window.

“Macey? Is there someone in your life?”

She shakes her head. “No, Finn. I haven’t been with anyone else but you for the past month.”

I go to her, resting my chin on her shoulder. Her body sags into me, but I still feel like she’s distant.

“I’ll sleep on the couch,” I tell her. The last thing I want to do is make her upset, even if it’s at my own expense. I fully intended to be with her while they were here, but apparently that isn’t what she wants.

“I can sleep with Morgan.”

“Don’t be silly, it’s a twin bed.”

“We’ve slept in worse,” she mutters, making me feel about ten inches tall. It’s because of my mother and the secret she took to her grave that Macey and Morgan have struggled.

“That will never happen again,” I promise her.

“Can I ask you a question?” She steps away from me, leaving me at the window. She wanders around my bed and goes to the other window.

“You can ask me anything.”

“If you knew about Morgan when I was pregnant, how would things be different?”

“You would’ve had money, Macey. I would’ve paid for everything. I’m not the type of man who runs away from his responsibilities. You both would’ve been taken care of.”

“Would you have been in her life? Would you have given up college and come home?” she asks, her voice wavering.

I process her words and imagine what the differences would be if I had dropped out of college and moved home. Where would I be and what kind of life would I have right now? This life, the one I’m living, I fucking love it. I’ve achieved so much more than I ever expected and can’t fathom being someone different.

“I don’t know, Macey.”

By the way her eyes fall I know that’s the wrong answer, but it’s the truth. At eighteen the last thing I would’ve wanted to do was raise a child, yet she did it and did so without the means to take care of our daughter. If my answer makes me look weak in her eyes, so be it, but it’s the best one I can give her. I’m not going to lie to her about anything.