Chapter 45
My cheeks hurt from smiling so much. I glance down at the photograph in my hand, myself and Rowan with Hollie and Power Piggy during intermission. Rowan and I look ridiculous in our costumes, but Hollie is smiling bigger than I’ve ever seen her smile.
I turn to peek at her now, snoozing in her car seat.
She’s worn right out and probably won’t even wake up when I transfer her from the truck to her bed, but she had the time of her life dancing and singing for two straight hours.
“She said this was the best day of her life.” Rowan smirks as he passes the county line thirty minutes outside of Sky Ridge. “I just—fuck, I’m just so grateful I got to be there,” he says as he reaches over and squeezes my thigh. His cape is no longer around him; it’s between us in the console with his glasses, but he’s still my hero for the day.
I reach down and place my hand over his in the dark as the radio croons to us softly through the truck speakers. The moment my hand touches his, heat slinks up my arm. Whatever I was feeling for him before has grown tenfold now, and I’d be lying if I said it didn’t scare the shit out of me. But that voice saying I’m afraid is being drowned out by the voice that’s telling me to notice the ripple of veins and muscle in his forearm, or the way he somehow looked hot in his over the top Power Piggy costume. I think back to the way he sang with Hollie tonight, how he picked her up and pointed things out to her at the show, and the way she snuggled into him as he carried her back to the truck.
I look out the window and feel my phone buzz in my pocket.
Teddy
That man deserves a reward, blow job?
It’s not always about sex.
Teddy
Maybe not, but gosh Vi, a man who puts your daughter first? Without hesitation?
He’s pretty great…
Teddy
blow job great?
I giggle at my phone as Rowan glances at me just before he turns onto my street. “What’s so funny?”
“Teddy,” I tell him. “And that’s all I’m saying.”
Rowan side eyes me. “Fair enough, not sure I want to know anyway. That woman has a habit of saying things with no filter.”
I laugh, because he has no idea.
“You carry Hols in, I’ll bring everything else,” he says as he parks in my driveway.
I turn to face him.
“You want to stay for a while? I could beat your ass at cards?”
Rowan grins. “Prepare to go down, Vi. I’ve been practicing.”
“Oh yeah?”
“Yep, added your dad on Game Room , been playing every chance I can.”
I laugh and pat him on the shoulder. “I’m afraid it won’t be enough, but you can have fun trying.” I wink.
Rowan chuckles and runs his hand along his jaw just looking at me like he can’t get enough before he simply says, “Never looked forward to getting my ass kicked more, Vi.”