Park Avenue Player(45)

“I totally agree.”

“But that game really got to me. Finding you with that woman…it upset me, made me jealous. I realized the game had gone to my head.”

I needed to stop myself because I was revealing too much.

“I don’t even know the point of this conversation,” I said. “I’m sorry. I’m rambling.”

“You’re good. I don’t mind. I appreciate your honesty. The truth is, I took things way too far with you. It was a game I never should have started, no matter how tempting. I’m sorry if I led you on in any way. It was a mistake. And I take full blame.”

Ouch. Well, that certainly wasn’t the response I’d hoped for.

I was horny and frustrated and had a massive crush on my boss, who’d pretty much just admitted he was playing games with me and had no serious intentions.

I felt like a complete and utter fool. Was I secretly holding out hope that I could change him? Or was I just so attracted to him that I didn’t care about anything other than getting to have him?

Hollis had been playing a game with me. And I’d used it as evidence that things might have been moving between us, when it was always only a game. It was clearer now where we really stood.

I lifted myself off the chair. “I think I’m going to hit the sack. I’m starting to feel tired all of a sudden.”

He stood up from the bed. “Okay. I’ll probably follow suit.”

“Goodnight.”

He lifted his hand. “’Night.”

Ugh.

Totally awkward.

Back in bed, I tossed and turned, feeling like crap and wishing I’d never broached the subject. He’d completely crushed my hope for anything between us.

***

The next day, a glass partition separated Hailey from her father. Hollis and I gave her space as she sat across from his brother. Stephen looked like a gaunt version of Hollis. Even though they were half-brothers, I could definitely see a resemblance.

He and Hailey were just wrapping up their visit when I heard him say to her, “Put your hand against the glass.”

She did as he said. “I love you, Daddy.”

“I love you, too, Hailey. Thank you so much for coming all this way. I promise when I get out of this place, you’re gonna have a whole new dad. I’ll never let you down again.”

Given his history, something told me that promise needed to be taken with a grain of salt.

“Okay,” she said.

She stood up from the seat and walked over to me. I gave her a hug. I was so proud of her for being brave and wanting to come here.

Hollis went over to his brother, and they spoke privately for a few minutes while Hailey and I waited.

As we exited the prison, it was evident something was bothering her.

We were almost to the car when I stopped. “What’s wrong, Hailey?”

“I’m just thinking about something my dad said to me.”

“What is it?” Hollis asked.

“He kept saying how he’s finally learned his lesson, that being in jail has helped him see the light, and he can’t wait to come home so we can be together again.”

“Why did that bother you?”

“I don’t want to live with him, Uncle Hollis…ever again. It’s not that I don’t love my father. But I don’t think I could trust him. I feel safe with you. Can he really make me go back with him?”

Hollis paused, looking over at me. “That’s complicated, Hailey. Technically, he can, but…”

“Can’t you do something?”

He seemed at a loss for words.

She looked like she was about to cry. “Do you not want me forever?”

Hollis bent so he was eye level with her. He placed his hands on her cheeks. “That’s not it at all, Hailey. I promise if it were up to me, I’d have you with me permanently. You’ve given me purpose. Having you around has changed my life, but it’s all been for the better. Taking care of you makes me very happy. Don’t ever doubt that, okay?”

She sniffled, and then nodded. “Okay.”

That squeezed my heart. Say what you might based on some of his actions, but overall, Hollis was a good guy.

“The law doesn’t always keep someone’s best interests in mind, though,” he told her. “If the courts were to deem your father fit to parent you once he completed his term, there wouldn’t be anything I could legally do.” He wiped her eyes. “But I promise you this: I will do everything in my power to keep you with me, okay? And if I can’t, you won’t be able to get rid of me. I’ll be over there every day to make sure you’re okay.”

Before he was transported to Ohio on an outstanding warrant, Stephen had lived with Hailey in New York. Assuming he would choose to go back there, Hollis being able to check in on her daily wouldn’t be out of the realm of possibility.

“What about Elodie?” she asked.

“What about me, sweetie?” I smiled.

“I don’t want you to lose your job if I have to go back to Dad’s.”

“Oh, don’t worry about that, honey. There are plenty of things I can do. I’ll find a job.”

“Trust me. She’s very versatile,” Hollis cracked.

I gave him the evil eye, which transformed into a smile. He smiled back.