Chapter 23
Chapter Twenty-Three
J ack
“I want to speak to Ellie, Jack.” I heard Claire’s voice on the other end of the phone.
“She’s sleeping. How dare you call me after what you did.”
“Jack, don’t make this harder than it already is.”
“No, Claire,” I shouted. “You left her. You left her in my care, and I make the decisions regarding her. She’s settling in here, and she’s fine. I will not let you disrupt her life and confuse her more than you already have. Don’t you dare call me again. You made your decision. Happy travels, Claire.” I ended the call.
I set my phone down and looked at Sierra. She reached over and placed her hand on my leg.
“It sounds like she’s regretting what she did,” she said.
“I don’t care. She can regret it all she wants.” I stood up. “I’m heading up to bed. Are you coming?”
“Yeah.” She finished her drink and set the glass down.
I lay in bed, one arm behind my head and the other wrapped around Sierra as her body snuggled against mine. Staring at her, I thought about how fast my perfectly manicured life was spinning out of control. I’d never loved before. I couldn’t. I wouldn’t allow myself to feel such feelings. But now, I had this beautiful woman lying next to me who stirred up the very feelings I ran from my entire life and a little girl who I tried so desperately to stay away from so I didn’t fuck her up like my father did me.
The following morning, after my alarm went off, Sierra stirred and turned the other way. After showering, I stood in front of the mirror and shaved. Sierra walked into the bathroom, and I couldn’t help but laugh.
“What’s so funny?” she asked, dabbing her toothbrush with toothpaste.
“You’re looking a little rough this morning.”
“Excuse me?” Her brow arched.
“Your hair is all messed up.”
“Considering the way your hands were through it last night and the occasional pulling, what did you expect?” she mumbled, brushing her teeth.
I smiled as I waited for her to finish brushing her teeth and grabbed her hairbrush. Standing behind her, I began brushing her hair.
“What on earth are you doing?” she asked, staring at me through the mirror.
“I caused this mess, so I’m going to fix it.”
“Jack, you don’t?—”
“Shush, Sierra, and let me brush your hair.”
When I finished, I pushed her hair over her shoulders and kissed the back of her head.
“There. Back to normal.” I smirked. “I’m going to grab a quick cup of coffee before heading to the office.”
“I know you need me there,” Sierra said, following me down the stairs.
“I know I need you to take Ellie shopping,” I said, grabbing a mug from the cabinet. “Which reminds me.” I pulled out my credit card and handed it to her. “Buy yourself a nice sweater or something.”
She mumbled, but I couldn’t understand what she said.
“What did you say? I didn’t catch that.”
“I said a new sweater sounds nice.” A small smile crossed her lips.
“I can’t believe Ellie isn’t up yet.”
“She’s exhausted from yesterday, as am I,” Sierra spoke.
“You’ll be fine. I have to go. Here.” I handed her the cup of coffee I made. “I changed my mind. Perk up, buttercup.” I smiled.
“Seriously?” Her eyes narrowed as she held the warm cup between her hands.
“Yes, seriously. Tell Ellie I’ll see her later.”
When I arrived at the office, Daniel walked in and sat down.
“How was your Thanksgiving?” he asked.
“It was fine.”
“Did Ellie have fun at the parade?”
“She did. She was all smiles.”
“I know that warmed your heart, Jack.”
“Be quiet, Daniel.”
“Where is she and Sierra today?”
“I told Sierra to stay home and take Ellie shopping for some toys.”
“On Black Friday?” He laughed. “Are you crazy? I bet she put up one hell of a fight.”
“She did, but she knows she doesn’t have a choice. I’m her boss, and if she wants to keep her job, she has to listen to me.”
“You’re different.” His eyes narrowed.
“Different how?” My brows furrowed.
“I’m not sure. I think you like playing house with Sierra.”
“Knock it off. She’s helping me with Ellie.”
“But she’s in your bed every night. Am I correct?”
“Maybe. What does that have to do with anything?”
“I’ve never known you to sleep with the same woman more than twice, let alone keep one in your bed every night. Could it be that Scrooge Atlas is falling in love with another human being?”
“Really, Daniel? Why do you have to make such a big deal about this?”
“Because it is a big deal, Jack. I’ve known you for years, and all of a sudden, you’re changing right before my eyes.”
“Claire called last night and wanted to talk to Ellie.”
“Did you let her?”
“No. Ellie was sleeping. I told her not to call again.”
“She’s Ellie’s mother, Jack.”
“I don’t care!” My voice raised. “She abandoned her.”
“So did you. Have you forgotten that?” he said.
“I did it to protect her. That’s totally different. My life is unraveling, Daniel.” I ran my hand down my face. “All of a sudden, I’m raising my daughter and?—”
“And what, Jack? You’re falling in love with Sierra? You can admit it. It won’t kill you.”
I turned my chair around and stared out at the city, blanketed with snow.
“Maybe I am.”
“Wow. Look at that. Jack Atlas admitted he’s falling in love, and nothing bad happened. I have a meeting to get to. We’ll talk later.”
My phone rang. Turning my chair around, I grabbed it from my desk and saw my father was calling. Shit.
“Hello, Dad.”
“Hello, Jack. I wanted to let you know that Gabriela and I are on our way to New York.”
My heart started racing. “Why?”
“Gabriela found some special fabric she wants for the tablecloths for the wedding. If we were to have it shipped, it wouldn’t arrive in time. So, we’re picking the fabric up ourselves. Plus, I wanted to see you since you’re not attending the wedding. It’s been a long time, son. Let’s have dinner tomorrow night.”
“Dad, I—” Suddenly, we got cut off. “Dad? Dad? Shit,” I said, setting down my phone.