Chapter 10
Friday morning, I wake up to Tyler already dressed for the day.
"Morning, sleepy girl. I have to head to base early. Important meeting. I'll text you as much as I can." He leans down to kiss me. "What are you doing today?"
"Working until four. Then book club prep at Madison's."
"Good. Have fun. I love you."
"Love you too, Daddy."
After he leaves, I get ready for work and head to the shop.
The day is steady, and around lunch, my phone rings.
Unknown number.
"Hello?"
"Chloe? This is Rampage. Tyler's buddy. He gave me your number."
His voice is deep and gravelly. Intimidating.
"Hi. Is everything okay?"
"Everything's fine. Just wanted to ask you what Emily’s favorite foods are?"
"Her favorite foods?"
“Yeah, I’m going to show her around town and take her to lunch. I thought I could grab a couple snacks for her for the ride back.” Was he serious? How cute is this giant biker dude? I answer all the questions with a smile. Why does he sound suspiciously like a Daddy?
"Rampage? This is really nice of you."
"Not nice. Just practical. Tyler looks out for me, I look out for his people. I can be intimidating in the right setting. Hopefully this isn’t some loser trying to scam her."
I laugh. "Tyler showed me your picture. You do look kind of scary."
"I get that a lot. But I'm harmless. Mostly." There's humor in his voice now. "Anyway, just wanted to touch base. Emily's in good hands up here."
"Thank you, Rampage. Really."
"No problem. Tell Tyler I'll call him after I meet her. Make sure he knows everything went smooth."
"I will."
After we hang up, I text Emily.
Chloe: Rampage just called to confirm tomorrow. He sounds nice despite the scary voice.
Emily: Scary voice?
Chloe: Deep. Gravelly. Very biker.
Emily: Now I'm nervous.
Chloe: Don't be. Tyler trusts him. That's good enough for me.
Emily: If you say so. I'm packing tonight. Leaving early tomorrow.
Chloe: Be safe. Text me when you get there.
Emily: I will. Love you.
The afternoon flies by, and by the time I close the shop, I'm ready for the weekend.
Tyler texts at 5:15.
Tyler: Kids secured. Heading home. They're excited and asking a million questions.
Chloe: Have fun, Daddy. I love you.
Tyler: Love you too, baby girl. Talk to you later.
I spend Friday evening at my own apartment for the first time in over a week. It feels weird. Empty. Lonely.
But also necessary.
I curl up with Mr. Snuggles and Mochi who has grown an incredible amount in such a short time, put on a movie, and try to remember who I am when I'm not with Tyler.
It's harder than I expected.
But I'm trying.
And that's what matters.
Saturday morning, Emily texts at eight a.m.
Emily: On the road. Should be there by 11.
Chloe: Drive safe. Text when you arrive.
Tyler: Good morning, sweetheart. Kids are up. Making pancakes. How'd you sleep?
Chloe: Good. How are things going?
Tyler: Great. Emma wants to know your favorite color. Jackson wants to know if you like dinosaurs.
Chloe: Pink. And yes, dinosaurs are awesome.
Tyler: Told you they'd like you. Gotta go. Pancakes are burning. Love you.
Chloe: Love you too, Daddy.
I spend the morning at the shop, and around noon, my phone rings.
Emily.
"Hey! Are you there?"
"I'm here at a local diner called The Rusty Crab. Rampage is in the bathroom. And oh my God, Chloe."
"What? What's wrong?"
"Nothing's wrong. But Rampage... he's..."
"He's what?"
"Huge. Intimidating. Riding a motorcycle." She pauses. "And really, really hot."
I laugh. "I thought you weren't looking for a Daddy."
"I'm not! But that doesn't mean I can't appreciate good genetics when I see them. I’m having lunch with him before I grab the equipment and drive home. This is weird. I'm in a mountain town with a biker I just met and I'm actually having lunch with him."
"Tyler trusts him. That's enough for me."
"Okay. I'll text you after lunch. Love you."
"Love you too. Be smart."
The rest of the afternoon is quiet. Tyler sends updates with pictures of him and the kids at the park, and texts me about Emma's detailed explanation of her favorite book series.
Emily texts me after lunch.
Emily: Just finished lunch. Heading to grab the equipment and then home. Rampage was... intense. Good intense. He asked if I'd come back to Grand Ridge sometime.
Chloe: And?
Emily: And I said maybe. Don't look at me like that.
Chloe: I'm not looking at you at all. But I'm THINKING at you very loudly.
Emily: Stop it. It was just lunch.
Chloe: Sure, it was.
Emily: I hate you. But also I'll call you tomorrow. After you survive Tyler's kids leaving.
Chloe: Deal. Drive safe.
Saturday evening, I meet the girls at my coffee shop for an impromptu gathering. Lily, Madison, Holly, and Amber are already there when I arrive.
"How's Tyler's weekend going?" Lily asks.
"Good. He sounds happy. The kids are asking about me."
"That's a good sign," Madison says. "What did he tell them?"
"That I'm someone special to him. Someone who makes him happy."
"Perfect. Simple and true." Holly sips her latte. "And how are you doing?"
"I stayed at my place last night. It was weird being alone but good."
Sunday morning, Tyler texts early.
Tyler: Kids are up. Cartoons and cereal. Then we're heading back to the airport. Still planning on coming over after?
Chloe: Emily and I are hanging out together today and then I’ll come over after. Is that okay?
Tyler: More than okay. See her. Take care of yourself. Then come to me when you're ready.
Chloe: I love you, Daddy.
Tyler: I love you too, baby girl.
The day drags. I'm anxious for Tyler. Knowing saying goodbye to his kids is hard. Especially with how long he has to go without seeing them. I don’t like their current custody agreement, but his ex seems okay.
She lets the kids call and talk to him as often as they want.
Which, I’ve discovered can be anywhere from ten minutes a day to entire hours if Emma is feeling chatty.
Around four, he texts again.
Tyler: Dropped them off. Heading home. They asked about you. Wanted to know when they could meet you.
My heart swells.
Chloe: What did you say?
Tyler: That hopefully soon. If you're ready.
Chloe: I'm ready. Whenever you think they are.
Tyler: We'll talk about it tonight. Have fun with Emily. I'll be here when you're done.
I head to Emily's apartment, and she opens the door with wine already poured.
"Spill. Everything. How's Tyler?"
We settle on her couch, and I tell her everything. The boundaries we set. The kids asking about me. The plan to eventually introduce us.
"I’m so proud of you. You were brave enough to finally go for the man you wanted." She takes a sip of wine.
"Now let's talk about Rampage,” I say.
"There's nothing to talk about."
"Liar."
Her cheeks flush. "He's... interesting."
"Interesting how?"
"He's dominant without being overbearing. Protective without being controlling. And he actually listened when I talked. Like, really listened."
"Sounds like a Daddy."
"Don't start."
"I'm not starting. I'm observing." I grin. "Are you going to see him again?"
"I don't know. Maybe. He invited me to a charity ride The Watchmen are hosting next weekend."
"That sounds like a date."
"It's not a date. It's a... friendly invitation."
"Sure it is."
We spend the next two hours talking and laughing, and by the time I leave, I feel grounded. Centered.
Ready to see Tyler.
He opens the door before I even knock.
"Hey, sweetheart."
"Hey, Daddy."
He pulls me inside and into his arms. "I missed you."
"I missed you too. How are you doing?"
"Better now that you're here." He guides me to the couch. "Saying goodbye is always hard. But it helps knowing I'll see them again soon."
"Do you want to talk about it?"
"Maybe later. Right now I just want to hold you."
We curl up together, and I let him hold me while he processes his emotions.
This is what partnership looks like. Not just the fun parts. The hard parts too.
And I'm exactly where I need to be.
With exactly who I need to be with.