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Chapter 29
Macy
I plant my hands on either side of the sink and drop my head. I need to get myself together. I need to control my emotions and pretend everything is ok. There’s no way for me to get to know him if I can't even be in the same room as him.
I suck in a deep breath and blow it out slowly. I can do this. I’m stronger than this.
I squeeze my eyes shut and count to ten. I’m only giving myself ten more seconds to freak out, then I'm going out there and getting this over with. I have Cord with me and I know he won't let things get out of hand. He’ll take control and steer the conversations into safe territory.
Standing up straight, I smooth down my skirt again and lift my chin. I will not be afraid. He can't hurt me now, or ever again.
Slipping on an easy smile, I focus on putting one foot in front of the other. I step into the living room and Cord’s gaze snaps to me. He watches me carefully the entire time I walk around the couch.
I know my father’s gaze is on me, but I don’t take my attention off of Cord. He’s my strength right now. I need to keep my eyes on him until I can have his arm wrapped around me.
As soon as I'm seated on the couch, Cord’s arm is around my shoulders and tugging me into his side. I place my hand on his chest and stare up at him. I can do this as long as I have him by my side. I just need to keep reminding myself I'm not alone.
“You wanted to talk?” I turn my attention to Micheal Hayes and keep my expression as blank and easy going as I can. I don’t want him to see the weakness I feel when he’s around. I don’t want him to know the type of power he has over me.
“Yes.” He clears his throat, looking more than a little uncomfortable. “I want to apologize for what happened. That night…”
“I don’t want to talk about that night.” My words come out firm and emotionless. I'm shocked because I can't get my hands to stop shaking.
He nods his head, but my comment doesn’t deter him. “I was a horrible father to you and Liam. I regret everything that happened and I’d love another chance to be in your life.”
“Why do you think you deserve another chance?”
“I don’t, Macy. I don’t deserve a damn thing from you. If anything, I deserve you telling me to fuck off and never speak to you again… but I'm really hoping you don’t,” his words come out barely above a whisper.
He leans forward until his elbows are resting on his knees and he drops his head. He looks so defeated. So tired and broken.
I stare down at my hands, warring with myself. A part of me wants to tell him to fuck off. Tell him there’s nothing he can do to make up for the past. But the other part of me wants to see the dad I’ve missed for most of my life. I want to see if the man who used to sing me silly songs and kiss me goodnight is still in there.
Cord squeezes my hand gently and I glance up at him. Giving him another chance was the best decision I’ve ever made, maybe the same will happen if I give Dad another shot.
“You get a trial period,” I say firmly as I scoot to the edge of my seat. Dad’s head snaps up to meet my eyes.
“Really?”
“You get one month. If you do anything I don’t like in that month, you’re done. You will respect boundaries and any wish I voice. We’re doing things my way and that’s it.”
“Yeah. I can do that.” He nods his head eagerly. “I can happily do all of that.”
Tears fill his eyes as he watches me carefully. I’ve never seen someone look so happy, yet so destroyed at the same time.
“Thank you, Macy. You don’t know how much this chance means to me. I promise I won't do anything to screw it up.”
“I’ll believe it when I see it.” I slap my hands down on my thighs. “Ok, I'm hungry. Are you going to feed me now, handsome?” I glance over my shoulder at Cord.
“Of course. I wouldn’t want you to get hangry.” He grins and winks at me. “She’s mean when she gets hangry.”
“She always was.” Dad chuckles. “Or if you try to wake her up before nine in the morning.”
“Yeah, that sounds about right.” Cord stands and lifts me into his arms bridal style. “C’mon, pretty girl. I bought your favorite for dinner.”
“Catalino’s?”
“What else would I get you? C’mon, Micheal. If you don’t claim some food, she’ll eat all of it. Don’t let her tiny body fool you. She’ll eat any professional athlete under the table.”
