Chapter 26
Chapter Twenty-Six
Julian
I picked up the Chinese food and headed to Laurel’s house. As I walked up to the porch, the door flew open, and Sara stood there smiling.
“Hi, Julian.”
“Hello, Sara. How was school today?”
“Good. Justin Keeley apologized to me.”
“That’s great. I’m happy he did.” I smiled, patting her head.
I walked into the kitchen and saw Laurel washing her hands at the sink.
“Hi,” I said, setting the plastic bags on the island.
“Hi.” She dried her hands on the towel and reached into the cabinet, pulling down the plates. “Are you over being mad at me?” she asked.
“No. I’m not. But we’ll discuss that later,” I said.
Sophie and Stella ran into the kitchen and threw their arms around my legs.
“Whoa.” I chuckled. “Hey, girls.”
“Hi,” they both said .
“Everyone sit down. It’s time to eat,” Laurel said.
Her phone rang, and she declined the call when she glanced at it.
“Another unknown number?” I asked.
“Yeah.”
“Maybe it was Daddy,” Sophie said.
“Sophie!” Stella reached over and smacked her arm.
“Why would you say that, Sophie?” Laurel asked her, sitting down.
“I don’t know.” She looked down.
“She thinks she saw him,” Stella said.
“I did!” Sophie exclaimed.
I furrowed my brows and looked at Laurel, who had the same look as I did.
“Does she see ghosts?” I leaned over and whispered in her ear.
“No! Sophie, where did you see Daddy?”
“At recess. He was standing on the other side of the fence, staring at me. I waved, he waved, and then he was gone.”
“Sweetheart, Daddy isn’t here anymore. You know that. The person you saw might have just looked like him.”
“That’s what I told her,” Stella said.
“And I told her not to tell you because you’d be upset,” Sara said.
“Did either of you girls see the man on the other side of the fence?” Laurel asked them.
Both Sara and Stella shook their heads.
“Listen, Sophie. I know it’s been hard, and I know how much you miss your dad. Sometimes, when we miss someone so much, our brain can manifest someone that looks like the person we lost. The mind plays tricks. We talked about this before,” Laurel told her.
Her phone rang again. This time, I stood up and grabbed it from the island, furrowing my brows when I saw it was the precinct calling.
“It’s the precinct.” I handed her the phone.
“Laurel Evans. Okay, I’ll be there as soon as I can.”
“Who was that?” I asked.
“Probably my teacher. She got arrested today,” Stella said.
“What?” I nearly choked on my chicken.
“She’s having an affair with a high school student. At least that’s what I heard the other teachers saying.”
My eyes widened as I glanced at Laurel.
“She’s right.” She shoved a forkful of chicken in her mouth. “That was her. Can you watch the girls while I run down to the precinct and meet with her?”
“You can’t be serious?” I spoke.
“Please? My parents are out to dinner for their anniversary.”
“I came over here because we need to discuss the case, Laurel.”
“I know, but I have to meet with my client. I won’t be long.”
“Please, Julian!” All three girls started whining.
“Okay. Okay.”
After dinner, Laurel left the house, and I cleaned up with the girls' help.
“Will you practice soccer with us?” Sara asked. “My mom signed us up, and we need to practice.”
“Sure. Get the soccer ball, and I’ll meet you in the backyard. We don’t have much time, though. It’s going to be dark soon. Stella, are you coming?”
“No. I don’t play soccer, and I have to study.”
“Do you have any hobbies?” I asked.
“I play chess.”
My brow raised. “You do? ”
“Yeah. Maybe we can play a game when you’re done with Sara and Sophie.”
“Okay.” I smiled.
I stepped out the back door into the yard and saw Sara and Sophie yelling at each other.
“What is going on out here?” I walked over to them.
“Sara is yelling at me because I told my mom about seeing our dad,” Sophie said.
I sighed and knelt in front of them.
“Listen, girls. It’s okay to argue, but you must do it constructively. No yelling, no pushing. Just use your words with an inside voice.”
“But she upset our mom,” Sara whined. “We told her not to say that to her.”
“Well, maybe Sophie felt she had to. Now, let me see what kind of skills you have.” I smiled.
My phone rang. Pulling it from my pocket, it was Parker.
“Hey, bro.”
“Where are you?” he asked.
“At Laurel’s. I was just going to call you. Can you stop by? We’re discussing the Bennett Case and need your help.”
“Yeah. Text me her address, and I’ll head over.”
“You’re the best.” I smiled. “I’ll text it to you now.”
I couldn’t believe Laurel left me here with them. If I had to suffer, so did Parker.
“Guess what, girls?” I grinned. “Parker is stopping by.”
“Yay!”
While kicking the soccer ball around with the girls, I saw Parker standing on the patio, holding up his phone.
“What are you doing?” I shouted across the yard.
“Capturing this rare and memorable moment.” He grinned. “Where’s Laurel? I thought you were discussing the case?”
“She had to meet a client. She’ll be back soon. I wanted you to come over and help me with the girls.”
“You’re babysitting?” His brow arched, and then he laughed.
“I’m not babysitting, douchebag. I’m keeping an eye on them.”
“Same thing.” He chuckled. “You lied to me.”
“I know. Sorry about that. I wanted you to come over.” I smirked.
The night was settling in, so I made the girls put the soccer ball away and come into the house.
“Can we have ice cream?” Sara asked.
“After you take a shower and get in your pajamas,” I said. “Go on. Your mom will be home soon.”
“Look at you playing Daddy,” Parker smirked.
“Shut your mouth, bro.” I pointed at him.
Both of our phones pinged with a text message from our father.
Love and I want you boys to come to dinner Friday night. Six-Thirty.
“Ah, shit.” I looked at my brother.
“I wanted to go out Friday night,” Parker said.
Morgan, Maddie, and I will be there, Dad.
“Damn him,” Parker said. “Now we don’t have a choice.”
“I’m going to bring Laurel and the girls.” I grinned.
“You really want to subject them to Love and Dad?” Parker’s brow raised.
“Think of how fun it’ll be with the three girls running around his house,” I said.