Chapter Five
Finn
Holy shit, holy shit, holy shit. Paisley started her period, and I have no clue how to deal with this shit.
I’ve been trying to call both my mom and Savannah the whole way to the high school with no answer from either.
I am not equipped to help Paisley through this transition.
She already knows the medical side of things, but she really needs a woman to be there for her.
I finally give up deciding that Mira can be that woman.
I’ve known Mira since we were little kids.
She was practically my best friend up until high school.
Then things changed for us, I was busy with sports and she was busy doing girl stuff.
Okay I admit that’s a lame ass excuse, but after she got boobs it was hard to be around her without staring.
How was I going to explain my erection to a girl that thought of me as a friend?
She would have freaked the fuck out. So I avoided being alone with her.
Then I started dating Savannah and she practically disappeared from my life.
I figured she’d found a boyfriend, and they were doing their own thing.
Walking through the front doors of the high school I’m transported back in time.
Back to when life was simpler and I didn’t know my girlfriend would one day leave me for another man.
“I’m here to pick up Paisley Murphy, she’s in the nurse's office.” I tell the receptionist that is so old she’s probably the same woman that ran the place back in my day. She takes my ID and scans it in then hands it along with a sticker with my name and picture on it to me.
“Put this on and follow the signs for the nurse’s office.
You can’t miss it.” The receptionist points to the double doors and I go through those.
I find the signs for the nurse’s office and follow them till I get to a brightly decorated door with Ms. Gordan in big black letters on it.
She’s still a Ms., so she must not have ever gotten married. Why does that thought make me happy?
Shaking that thought out of my head I knock on the door and wait.
Maybe she’s engaged, or maybe she’s divorced too, or maybe I need to not be concerned with her relationship status.
When the door opens the vision that greets me is definitely not the awkward teenage girl I once knew.
This is a woman in front of me, all curves and softness.
I’m stunned by how beautiful she is, even after all these years.
She was pretty in high school, but now she’s just stunning.
“Holy shit, I mean hey Mira.” She looks a little shocked before she pulls herself together.
“Hello Mr. Murphy, come on in. Paisley is inside.” Mira gives me a tight smile before opening the door all the way to let me in.
“Mira, we’ve known each other since we were kids. Do you really need to call me Mr. Murphy?” Paisley is leaning against the wall, her arms are crossed, and she looks like she’s been crying.
“Hey baby girl, let’s get you home. You can take a hot shower or bath whatever will make you feel better. How are you feeling?” Typically, Paisley would give me attitude instead she practically throws herself in my arms and starts to cry.
“Daddy it was awful everyone saw, even the boys. I can’t go back to school after that, please don’t make me.” I look over her shoulder at Mira for some help with this, because this is not how my kid typically acts.
“I’ve explained to Paisley that by tomorrow no one will care. These things happen in high school all the time. Were you able to get a hold of anyone?” She doesn’t say Savannah’s name and I’m grateful, Paisley sounds like she’s too vulnerable to deal with her mother’s bullshit.
“Unfortunately everyone seems to be too busy. If the offer still stands, I would be in debt for life. Whatever you want whenever you want it, it’s yours.
” Something flashes in her eyes and I start to think of what kinds of things she could demand of me.
There are a few things I’d definitely demand from her if the roles were reversed.
“Sure thing, I gave Paisley my number, but I’ll be over shortly after school lets out. Paisley, if you ever need someone to talk to you, I’m your gal. I knew your dad before he grew all those muscles.” Paisley looks between the two of us like she can’t believe we knew each other.
“Thanks Ms. Gordan. I’ll see you in a little while. Can we go dad? I really want to take a hot shower and change out of these clothes.” It’s probably the nicest Paisley has been to me in too long. Whatever Mira magic she performed I’ll keep her around just for that.
“I’ll have dinner ready by the time you get to the house.
You can’t say no Mira, it’s the least I can do for you helping me out.
I’m man enough to admit I’m lost when it comes to this stuff.
If you tell me what to buy, I’ll go buy it but figuring everything out the first time, forget it.
I love you baby girl, but she will definitely be a better choice to take than your old man.
” Waving a final goodbye, me and Paisley head out.
On the way out the door some boy I’ve never seen before steps up to Paisley.
He looks like he’s on the football team based on his build.
My first instinct is to protect my little girl, but his posture doesn’t scream aggression.
“Hey Paisley, don’t worry about what happened. I’ve got two older sisters; it just happens sometimes. I hope you feel better.” Paisley looks up at him stunned before ducking her head and hurrying out the door. The boy looks at me shrugging.
“I’m Brent Conrad, Paisley and I have Science class together.
I was with her when, well you know. She was kind of freaked, so I came down after class to check on her.
You must be her dad.” Brent sticks his hand out for me to shake and I return the gesture.
Instead of letting go of his hand after the initial shake I yank him toward me so I’m towering over him slightly, very slightly because the little shit is tall as fuck.
What the hell do they feed these children?
“Let me be perfectly clear here Brent, that’s my little girl and I have no problem going to jail for her.
Whatever your little hormone induced mind is thinking just stop right now.
She can’t date till she is sixteen, period.
” Brent grimaces a little at the pressure I put on his hand but other than that he doesn’t seem fazed at all, almost like he was expecting it.
“It’s cool I get it, I’m protective of my sisters too.
I got a little sister that starts high school next year and I’m dreading these animals trying to get at her.
Look, I like Paisley, but I’m not ready to date either.
” Brent puts his hands up in surrender and I release him.
He seems like a good kid, but when it comes to Paisley, I trust no boy.
“Alright, keep things in the friendzone and we won’t have a problem. She could use a friend right now. Who’s your daddy?” At this question Brent freezes up and his jaw ticks.
“No one important, but my momma is Daisy Bishop.” He smiles real big at his momma’s name and I can tell he loves her.
I knew Daisy in high school and she was married right out of high school to Duke Conrad, the quarterback and biggest dickwad to walk the campus.
Based on Brent’s reaction I’d say Duke hasn’t changed much since high school.
“I knew your momma in high school, sounds like she’s got her hands full these days.” Brent smiles and nods.
“Oh yeah, Scarlet and Jenny they’re seniors now, but Lilly she’ll be a freshman next year and then there’s me the monkey in the middle as they like to call me.
Sorry Mr. Murphy, but I gotta get to class before I get in trouble.
Momma will skin my hide if I get in trouble.
” I laugh a little before motioning for him to go.
“Just remember what I said Brent, friendzone.” Without a backward glance I walk out to find Paisley standing there with her arms crossed looking madder than a wet hen.
“Daaaad, why must you embarrass me in front of hot guys!” Okay, I definitely do not like Brent Conrad now if she thinks he’s a hot guy. It’s really sad for Brent, but I’m sure he’ll understand.
“I apologize, it won’t happen again.” Oh, it’s totally happening again, but I don’t want to argue with her today.
I want to be the supportive dad that does all the right things for her, because she needs that more than overprotective dad right now.
She takes my apology and we head home where she can take a soothing bath and change clothes.
Meanwhile I start to get everything ready for dinner with Mira.
Why did I suddenly feel nervous about her eating dinner with me?
It’s not like we haven’t known each other for years.
Maybe it’s the fact that she went from cute girl to hot woman over the years.
On top of that she was doing me a solid by helping Paisley out.
She deserved a good meal and I was going to make damn sure she got one.