Chapter Forty Ozzy
Chapter Forty
Ozzy
Yet again, I’m in a pickle.
I’m mad that Lola rode her bike to Maren’s house, but I’m grateful to Maren for suggesting Lola spend the day with her.
“Your daughter is such a joy.”
I glance up while removing my helmet. When I pulled into the driveway, I missed Aaron sitting on the porch swing with reading glasses low on his nose and a book on his lap.
“Yes. She’s quite joyous when she’s not sneaking out of the house.” I chuckle.
Aaron nods, removing his glasses. “She reminds me so much of Maren.”
“Yeah?” I climb the porch stairs and lean my shoulder against the post.
“Maren used to push all the limits. Question everything. And she tried to grow up too quickly. And the eye-rolling ...”
I laugh. “I swear Lola’s eyes will roll right out of her head someday. Everything warrants the utmost drama.”
“Maren used to stick her tongue out and razz me so much, I threatened to cut the thing out of her mouth.” Aaron shakes his head.
I smile because I like imagining young Maren.
“She and her brother were thick as thieves. And when we lost him, I worried that we’d lose her too. Maybe not physically, but emotionally. For a while, her light was gone. And we got used to her not being fully herself. After all, we’ve never been the same since losing Brandon. Looking in the mirror, you see a different version of yourself without that person. And it can take a long time to feel like life has given you enough joy to fill that void.
“But you and Lola have done that for Maren. And despite her nearly losing her life a month ago, I haven’t seen my daughter look this alive since before Brandon died. So I want to thank you for taking a chance on my daughter. I know you’re protective of Lola, so your decision to let Maren into your life could not have come easily.”
I drop my head, staring at my dirty boots, one crossed over the other. “Loving your daughter has been effortless. Frighteningly so.” I shake my head. “And she has breathed life back into Lola and me. But I feel like I’m asking too much of Maren to patiently wait while I help Lola work through her issues from her mother dying.”
“I think you’re underestimating both of our daughters.”
I lift my gaze to Aaron’s crooked grin.
“Lola brings the really good stuff out of Maren, and I think Maren does the same to Lola. I advise you to step aside and let the women in your life work through things together. You’re spending too much time worrying that Maren will die and break Lola’s heart or that Lola’s slow recovery will hold Maren back from living her dreams. I promise you, those girls aren’t half as worried as you are.”
I think about his wise words and return a slow nod. “You could be right.”
“I am.” He slides on his reading glasses. “They were picking out paint colors because they decided on their own that Lola needs a room in this house.”
I smile, and it feels incredible. “Thank you,” I say.
Aaron glances up at me over his glasses. “For what?”
“For helping bring Maren into this world.”
Aaron returns his attention to the book, but not without a content smile settling on his face.
I open the front door, and Lola’s gaze shoots to mine. She’s playing a card game on the floor with Maren’s mom.
Lola taps her finger to her lips. “Shh. Maren’s upstairs sleeping.”
Colleen glances over her shoulder and smiles. “She should probably wake up soon, so she’ll sleep tonight. Unless she has a late-night visitor.” She smirks. Luckily, it goes over Lola’s head.
I remove my boots and head toward the stairs. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
Colleen returns a drawn-out “Mm-hmm.”
Maren’s on her side, hugging a pillow, hair fanned out over the other pillow and lips parted as she softly snores.
I crawl sideways onto the bed and rest my cheek on Maren’s legs.
She exhales a long breath and soft hum, teasing her fingers through my hair. “She redeemed herself, so you don’t have to ground her.”
I grin. “Is that so?”
“Yes.”
“It’s getting ready to rain. I have to go. But I’ll consider your recommendation.”
“Stay,” she mumbles. “It’s your job to woo me, but your plate is full, so I’ll make an exception and woo you instead. Now get up here and kiss me.”
I have a few things to say about her wooing, but they’ll have to wait until I’m done kissing her. She snakes her hand up the inside of my shirt.
“You and Lola have no patience. She wants to roam the entire city on her bike like she’s twenty, not ten. And you don’t see that I’ve been wooing you since we met because you’re too twitchy to see that I have my own wooing style.”
Maren’s gaze sweeps in all directions along my face as she nibbles on her lower lip. “Twitchy? I’m not twitchy or impatient.”
I chuckle. “You are, and so is Lola.”
“She stopped for doughnuts this morning.”
“Gah!” I roll to my back and throw my arm over my head. “Don’t tell me that. I have enough worries.”
Maren laughs.
“Yet another thing that her therapist needs to discuss with her,” I say.
“Move in with me.” Maren reaches for my hand and kisses the back of it.
“We talked about this.” I roll to my side and stroke her hair. “I think I need to wait until Lola’s making more progress before I let Tia and Amos abandon us. Because that’s what they’ll do: move to Florida.”
“Let them move. We’ve got this.”
I narrow my eyes.
Maren grins.
“ We? ”
“Give her room to spread her wings, Ozzy. She wants it. Why do you think she rode her bike here? Maybe living with you and her grandparents is too much. Too restrictive. Maybe she needs a change. A new home. A tree house. A cat. And a badass female.”
I love this woman. I just love her so damn much.
“I’m out for the season. I don’t have to fly for Ted. By the time she returns to school, my bones will be healed. I can ride a bike. If I’m being honest, I’m not the best at baking cookies. Jamie made the cookies I brought to your work. But I love to kayak, hike, stargaze, and I’ve recently discovered I can crochet cat toys. And don’t forget, I’m good at braiding hair.”
“Dad? I’m hungry.”
We startle at Lola in the doorway. She’s sneaky in her own right. I should put a bell on her.
I sit up, and Lola smirks, clearly pleased to see me lying in bed with Maren. “Let’s head home for dinner.”
“I had fun with you today, Lola. Thanks for cleaning Bandit’s litter box and helping my mom with my laundry,” Maren says.
Lola bites her bottom lip to control her grin as she nods her reply.
“We have to talk about your rebellious adventure.” I start to guide Lola out of the bedroom.
“Let me hug Maren before we go.” Lola slides past to give Maren a gentle hug. “Did you tell him to go easy on me?” She attempts a whisper, but I hear every word.
Maren winks. “You’ll be fine.”
Lola turns and takes two steps before craning her neck to the side, eyes squinted. She pushes the door until it hits my foot. “Oh. My. Gosh.” She covers her mouth. “Did you write on her door?”
“It’s getting replaced,” I say. “Let’s go.”
“It’s not.” Maren smirks.
Lola’s gaze ping-pongs between us. “I can’t believe you wrote her a note on her door.”
“Go get your stuff together.” I grab her shoulders and give her a nudge.
Lola giggles, bouncing down the stairs.
“You’ve set the bar high for any man who tries to steal her heart. They’ll have a terrible time living up to her daddy.” Maren slowly sits up, adjusting her sling.
“For sure.” I roll my eyes. “If my daughter gets in a life-threatening accident, she needs a guy who will completely ghost her.”
Maren frowns while standing. “Stop. We’re done with that. I had a full thirty seconds of feeling let down when you hung up on me. Then my mom made me look at it from your point of view—her point of view. And that was it. I wasn’t angry or disappointed. Okay, that’s a lie. I’m human, but I’m not superhuman. But I’ve let it go, and you need to do the same. Okay?” She strolls to me, rests her forehead on my chest, and my arms instinctively go around her.
“Okay,” I whisper.
“Are you moving in with me?”
I kiss the crown of her head. “I have to go. I’ll check on you tomorrow. I love you.”
“You’re torturing me, Oswald. Why? Why do that?”