Chapter 24
***Ada***
That weekend, after the kids had gone to camp every day and come home so tired that they couldn’t do anything but eat and fall asleep, I decided we needed some family time.
I set up everything in the theater with David’s help and set about wrangling the dads before I brought the kids together.
I didn’t want to disappoint them if the dads wouldn’t join in.
It was seven o’clock on a Saturday night, though. They had to stop working at some point.
I went to Jud first. He’d mostly retreated back into his studio and I hadn’t had any real interactions with him so I was nervous when I knocked on his studio door.
There was something about him that set my nerves on edge and made the outer borders of my brain itch.
He gave me intense deja vu and it drove me a little crazy.
He opened the door, hair and beard still wild, a paint brush captured between his lips. When he saw it was me, he dropped the brush and his lips turned up in what might’ve been a smile if a smile forgot how to be a smile. “Hi.”
I gave him a real smile, one with lots of teeth, and gripped my hands together behind my back. “We’re having a family movie night. You have to come.”
His mouth lifted higher on one side. “I have to come?”
I nodded. “Please?”
He looked down at his bare feet, covered in paint, and cleared his throat. “Okay.”
I barely stopped myself from fist-pumping.
“Yes! Thanks, Jud. Milo probably won’t make it through the first half of the movie, but he’ll be so happy to see you there.
There are snacks and drinks down there. Adult beverages are available upon request, via David.
” I slowly backed away and lifted my hand in a wave goodbye.
“See you down there in just a few minutes. I’m going to gather everyone else. ”
“You came to me first?” The question hung between us, Jud’s rough voice sending a wave of heat over my body.
I didn’t know what to say so I waved again and then hurried away. It wasn’t my finest moment but I’d gotten what I needed. Who cared if I embarrassed myself during the acquisition?
I went to Collin next and let myself into his office, something I knew irked him.
I closed the door behind me and smiled sweetly as I crossed to his desk.
He was on the phone so I sat across from him and waited somewhat patiently.
After a few seconds, he hung up and frowned at me.
“Before you get cranky with me, let me tell you a few things. Okay?”
He sighed. “Go ahead.”
“It’s Saturday night. You’re not an old man. Your boys have been talking about your game day all week. We’re having a movie night tonight and your presence is required.” I stood up, so excited that I couldn’t just sit down.
“Ada...”
I held up my hands. “Don’t say no! Please.”
He grunted and tossed his pen down. “You’re not going to leave me alone unless I agree, are you?”
I shook my head. “I’m not. I really want this for the boys.”
“Fine.” He rolled his shoulders. “I was just finishing up anyway. Do I have time to change?”
I took in his suit and made a face. “I assumed that was just your skin. You have other clothing?”
“You saw me in swim trunks.”
I smiled before I could stop myself. “Yes, I did. Big fan. Now, come on. You have five minutes. Okay?”
His lips twisted into a devilish smirk. “How big of a fan?”
“See you in just a few minutes, Collin. Don’t be late.” I hurried out of there and stood in the hallway for just a moment to catch my breath. Flirty Collin was dangerous.
I knew Joe’s door would be locked so I lifted my fist to knock but he pulled it open before I could connect. I gasped in surprise and he grumbled something under his breath before shifting aside to let me in.
“I saw you coming this way and figured I’d avoid you making a scene like you normally do.” He sighed as he went around his desk and sank into his chair. “What do you want, Ada?”
“How’d you see me coming? Your creepy cameras?
” I edged my way around to his side of the desk and leaned against it as I checked out his computer screen.
Hitting the button that I knew switched cameras, I scrolled through and only stopped to show Joe that his brothers were both on the move.
“See that? They’re both going to the theater room. Want to know why?”
He didn’t answer. He just looked at me, standing beside him, and frowned.
“We’re having a family movie night. Your brothers both agreed.” I paused to see if he’d volunteer his presence, but of course, he didn’t. “I’d like it if you came, too. You are a member of the family, after all.”
He huffed. “A shitty one, according to you and my daughter.”
I turned to face him completely. “Are you going to let that keep you from hanging out with your family?”
He shook his head and shot me a look that was pure frustration. “Did you ever stop to think that I’m busy? You just come in here with plans you’ve made up out of nowhere and expect me to fall in line?”
“I promise I’ll be just as excited about any plans that you might make.” We both knew he wasn’t going to make any plans. That was part of the issue.
“I’m busy, Ada.”
“It’s Saturday night, Joe.” I grinned at the way he looked even crankier. “Come on, Joe. Please? You deserve time with your family, just like they deserve time with you.”
His eyes darkened and he turned in his chair so I was framed by his legs. “I didn’t know you could say please.”
I knew that my face and chest had gone blood red. I pretended to rub my cheeks like that was the real reason they were red. “I can say please. Is that what you need? You need me to say please?”
His teeth sank into his bottom lip as he studied me. I felt like we were on the verge of something that shouldn’t happen but I still stood there, waiting for it. As if it never happened, though, Joe turned back to his desk and dismissed me. “I’ll try to make it.”
I let out the breath I’d been holding. “It’s going to start in a few minutes, Joe. Okay?”
He didn’t look back at me. “You have your answer, Ada.”
I gently touched his shoulder. “It would mean a lot to Kendall if you showed up.”
Before he could rip my hand off I fled the room and got the kids together. We entered the theater room all together and my heart soared at seeing Jud and Collin sitting down, waiting. Joe wasn’t there, yet, but I crossed my fingers and hoped he’d show up.
The kids settled with their dads and I patted the seat next to me for Kendall.
I’d move as soon as Joe came. The movie started, thanks to Collin knowing how to work the system, and minutes ticked by.
I kept one eye on the doorway, hoping and praying Joe didn’t blow us off completely.
The more time that passed, the more agitated I grew.
How could he blow off his daughter like that?
Kendall leaned over and whispered to me. “He’s not coming, Ada. I don’t know why you’re still looking.”