Chapter Twenty
TATE
As soon as we were back within cell reception, I called Josie. We didn’t have much time. We were hustling to the airport. I got her voicemail. Just the sound of her voice set my heart to beat faster. I missed her.
“Hey, it’s me. I miss you. We’re headed to the airport. I should land in Anchorage this evening. I can hitch a ride with one of the guys, but I definitely wouldn’t mind seeing you.”
I almost called back to tell her I loved her but wanted to save that for in person. Just in case, I sent her a text for good measure.
Me: Miss you. Flying home. Should be in Anchorage this evening around six. You don’t have to pick me up at the airport, but I wouldn’t mind if you did. No matter what, I’ll see you tonight.
She replied to my text just as our plane was taxiing on the runway.
Josie: I’ll be there! Miss you and can’t wait to see you!
Beck’s crew was with ours for this trip, and he happened to be seated across the aisle from me. “What are you smiling about?” he asked.
I glanced over at him, surprising myself when I said, “Looking forward to seeing Josie.”
Beck studied me for a beat before a slow smile stretched across his face. “Keep being good to her.”
“As if I’d be anything but.”
We were all exhausted, so most of us dozed on the plane ride home.
When we landed in Anchorage, I wondered when Josie would be there.
We were waiting in baggage when I felt a frisson of awareness race up my spine.
I spun around, searching through the clusters of people in the airport.
As soon as my eyes landed on Josie, I strode in her direction.
My steps faltered when a voice exclaimed, “Tate!”
I glanced over my shoulder to see Kara’s mother walking directly toward me. Shock reverberated through me. She stopped immediately in front of me. Her mouth was pinched at the corners, and her eyes pained. “Hi, uh, I just saw you and thought I’d ask how Kara’s doing?”
“Marnie, what the hell?” I muttered as I took a few steps back.
She kept following me. By this point, Josie was getting closer, and I could see the confusion in her eyes.
To make matters worse, Beck was approaching, his eyes narrowing.
While Beck and many of my friends knew the details about Marnie, none had ever met her because she’d never lived in town.
“Dude, what the hell is happening?” Beck asked.
“Just something I have to deal with,” I muttered.
Of course, we were in an airport, and it was busy as hell with people everywhere. When I met Marnie’s eyes, I realized so many things in a flash. She paid a price for what happened, but it was her choice, not mine.
“Marnie, what are you doing here?” I asked just as Josie reached the small cluster of people gathering nearby. Unfortunately, Marnie had drawn attention. She stood there twisting her hands and looking sad and angry.
Beck was at my side, glowering at me, while Graham and Cade stood nearby as well, watching with curious expressions. It felt like the whole group was wondering just how much I had fucked up.
Marnie ignored everyone and eyed me. “I just want to know how my daughter is.” Although I hadn’t dated Marnie long, I abruptly recalled she loved attention. She thrived on it.
“She’s fine, and you voluntarily gave up any rights to her,” I reminded her.
For the most part, I didn’t dwell on Marnie’s choice not to be part of Kara’s life.
I hadn’t heard a peep from her since the court hearing when she’d relinquished her rights.
Not because I demanded it but because she “didn’t want to deal with people telling her how to live her life. ” Those were her exact words.
She lifted her chin, and I swear it felt like I had spun backward in time. She was the kind of person who lit up a room, a bright spark. Younger me, or rather the hormones of younger me, had loved her flare. Now, it was just annoying.
“I want to know how she’s doing,” she insisted.
“Oh, for fuck’s sake,” Beck said under his breath. I was relieved he’d dialed into who this was.
“Marnie, there is no conversation to have here. She’s fine.
If you want any more information, you can contact me through my attorney,” I ground out.
I was relieved my attorney had told me to prepare to say some version of this if I ever heard from Marnie.
My attorney had shared that regret was common for someone in Marnie’s situation, and it’d be best for me to give myself time not to react.
Marnie twisted her lips to the side and let out a sigh. “Tate, there’s no need to go through an attorney. I just want to know how Kara is.”
I narrowed my eyes at her, a flash of anger on my daughter’s behalf jolting me. “Like I told you when you made your choice, I’d never keep you from knowing her, but we’re doing it through the proper channels. You haven’t even called for an update. If you really mean this, contact my attorney.”
I glanced over to see Josie walking out of the airport and bolted after her.
Marnie reached out and grabbed my arm. I stumbled and spun back to face her. “You did me the biggest favor of my life by making me a father, but I have to protect my daughter. If you really want to connect, you’ll do it the right way.”
Her eyes were bright with tears, and I thought maybe she understood. “If you call my attorney, we’ll figure something out if it seems right. Otherwise, please leave me alone.”
With that, I turned, my eyes scanning to find where Josie went before I started running again.