CHAPTER 1 The New Normal. #3
“Dad, please,” I groan, closing my eyes as I lean my head back a bit. I could hear him chuckle once more. My heart beat rapidly as I thought about Jakayla.
I thought that I’d gotten over my crush for her years ago, but as it turns out, all I’d done was bury it.
Over the last year, I noticed that my feelings for her had started to grow more intense as the days went by, but how could they not?
She’d stepped up more than I’d ever expected, keeping her word when it came to being there for Sera and me.
We were like one little family at this point, and as much as that excited me, it also scared me shitless.
I knew that she’d never do anything to hurt my daughter or me, but Sasha had really done a number on me.
Anytime I’d even think about what it could be like to actually have a relationship with Jakayla, all of my anxieties would bubble up, and I’d try to think of something else.
Hell, I hadn’t been in a relationship with anyone since Sasha because of how much that fear ate at me.
It was tiring because I wanted a loving relationship, but what if that just wasn’t in the cards for me?
“Zee, sweetheart, please stop overthinking,” my dad says, and I open my eyes to look at him once more. He wears a saddened expression, and I feel bad for making him worry. “I promise, everything is going to be okay.”
“Dad, what if I never admit my feelings to her because I’m scared? What if I do and she doesn’t feel the same way?”
“Bullshit,” he says. “That way that woman goes out of her way to make sure you and my grandbaby are okay is just the tip of the iceberg. Anyone can see how much that woman cares for you, Zee.”
I don’t reply as I let the words settle around me.
There was a part of me that knew that what he was saying was one hundred percent factual, but there was still that bit of doubt in my mind.
I sighed, shaking it away as I heard the front door unlock.
I look up just in time to see Kay stepping through the door with a few bags in her hands.
“Hmm, I can tell by the way you’re smiling that Kay just materialized like she always does when you mention her,” I hear my dad joke, and I glance back at him with narrowed eyes. He just laughs.
“Oh, hush you,” I roll my eyes playfully.
“Hi, Kay,” he shouts as she strolls over to where we are. She leans over the couch and places a kiss on my forehead before peering at my dad with a smile. “There’s my favorite bonus daughter.”
“Hey, Pop,” she replies. “You’re looking good, old man. Not a day over 45!”
“Ah, always the charmer,” he laughs.
She flashes him a smile before winking and walking over to where Sera is. They greet each other with their usual handshake, and I can’t help the smile that spreads. I loved watching them together. It reminded me of just how grateful I was to have Kay in my life. Sera loved her, and so did I.
In a purely platonic way, of course.
“Well, Imma let you go. I need to finish packing,” My Dad says, and I nod, my eyes still on Kay and Sera. “I love you, Zee. Tell my baby girl that I love her, too.”
“I love you, too, Dad,” I reply, finally looking back down at him. “Have a great trip.”
Once he’s gone, I place my phone on the coffee table.
Serenity is back playing a game on her tablet as Kay walks over to me.
Before I can say anything, she sits beside me and pulls me into her lap.
Was this a first? No. Did my heart damn near jump out of my chest when we were this close?
Absolutely. Did I want it to stop? Hell fucking no!
“So, I’m guessing that you’re not going home this weekend,” she says, and I nod. “Okay, well, would you still like to get out of the house? I know Princess doesn’t wanna be stuck inside all weekend. So, how about y’all come to the orchard with me?”
“That could be fun,” I say excitedly. “I was just talking to your parents yesterday and promised to bring Sera to see them. It’s been a few weeks.”
“Okay, then it’s settled,” she nods, her hand rubbing my thigh lightly. “Go pack your stuff, and I’ll help Princess pack. It won’t take long, because you know she already has so much stuff over there. The problem is what plushies she’s gonna fuss about not being able to bring.”
I let out a knowing laugh. Sera had an affinity for plushies, and she couldn’t go anywhere without at least three. She even had a few in her backpack that she took to school. Miss Brown informed me that she never took them out, though. They were there more for support than anything.
“Alright, let’s get this done and head out before it gets too late,” I nod, standing from her lap.
About thirty minutes later, we were packed, and Kay had pulled my car into the garage.
After double-checking that everything was locked and turned off, I set the alarm and got into Kay’s jeep as she secured Sera into the car seat that she kept in her car for her.
Soon, we were all set and heading out to make the hour and fifteen-minute trip to her hometown.