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Yeah, a lot bigger things. Like making sure this cute little cupcake of a kid grew into adulthood without him making any more mistakes.
“I took a picture of it on my phone,” he told her, walking into the hallway. “You can use that.”
See, he could be a good dad sometimes. When he wasn’t working from dusk til dawn and relying on the goodwill of his parents to help him raise his kid. His mom looked after Delilah most afternoons after school, taking her to activities or watching her at their house. He was grateful for it, knowing his daughter was safe and happy while he was trying to keep a roof over their – and everybody else’s – heads. But he still felt like he was being pulled seven different ways.
“Thank you.” Delilah skipped over to him and took his phone. He opened the front door, the cool rush of springtime air washing over him. Pres loved this time of year. Sunny but not too hot. The summer was a bitch because they’d have to start any outdoor work early to avoid the midday sun.
The sky was a perfect blue dome above them as he pressed the unlock button on his truck, helping Delilah up into the cab because her legs were too little to make the leap between the foot board and seat. He tweaked her ponytail, and she scowled.
Once he’d strapped Delilah safely in and he was in his own seat, he started the engine. “Tell me the words on your list.”
“Shouldn’t you be reading them off the phone?” Delilah asked over the roar of the engine as he put his foot down on the gas.
“I’ll remember them.” There were only ten. He at least had the faculties for that. If nothing else, it took his mind off his angry customer.
“Okay then. Copy, Baby, Happy, Study, Lady, Pretty, Empty, Funny, Brother, Sister…”
The way she trailed off made him lift a brow because he knew what was coming next.
“You have brothers, don’t you?”
“Yep, they are your uncles.” He continued the drive toward her school.
“But no sisters.”
“That’s right.” Up ahead he could see a couple walking together hand in hand. From behind you couldn’t tell their ages, but he knew them to the day without having to see their faces.
“Look, there’s Granny and Gramps,” Delilah shouted excitedly, even though she saw them multiple times a week.
“Where?” He pretended not to see and Delilah laughed.
“Daddy, they’re there. On the sidewalk, see?”
He slowed down and opened his window to call out to his parents. “Enough of the PDA this early in the morning.”
His mom just about jumped out of her sneakers. One of the first things he did after Jade died was move closer to his parents. It was that or get a nanny for Delilah and his mom had begged to let them help. Most of the time it was pretty cool living a short walk from them.
Unless his mom was in a nagging mood about him needing a social life, or playing in the band he used to run with his brother, or maybe even meeting somebody new.
Yeah, she especially loved to nag him about that.
No thanks. He had no time for that. And he certainly didn’t have time for the complications of dating while trying to raise a kid. His life was too full for relationships.
“Presley!”
Pres bit down a smile because his mom only used his full name when she was telling him off. And he might be almost thirty, but she still did it.
His mom shook her head, but her face softened as she saw Delilah leaning toward the window and waving at her. “Hey cutie pie.”
“Hey Granny. I got a ponytail today.” Delilah swished her hair around.
“So I see.” His mom’s eyes crinkled. “And you look cute as a button.”
His dad caught Presley’s eye. “Still can’t do that braid, huh?”
“Nor can you,” Presley pointed out.
His dad shrugged. “That’s why I had three boys.”
