To Have It All(32)

“I’m sorry, baby girl,” I apologized as I approached her and rubbed her back. Looking up at me she blinked a few times before she nestled her head back on Max’s shoulder. Normally, she’d fly out of anyone’s arms to get to me, so when she chose to stay with Max over coming to me, my heart felt as though it hit the floor. It didn’t help that Max was grinning as he turned his head slightly and kissed the top of her head.

“We need to get going,” I muttered as I rushed about the room, flinging everything in the wagon. I didn’t bother to bag the remaining possessions up neatly. All that mattered at that moment was getting out of there as fast as possible.

“There’s no need to rush, Waverly,” Max said quietly. “She’s probably hungry.”

Snapping my head in his direction, I barked, “Oh, two days with her and you think you know her? She’s my daughter Max. I’ll do what I want.”

“What in the hell are you so angry about?” he whispered, angrily.

“For starters, you took her out,” I snapped, widening my eyes with rage. So much for letting it go. “What if something had happened?”

“Like what, Waverly?”

“Like . . .” I struggled for words. “Like what if you were mugged?”

His jaw went slack as he stared at me. “Oh, and you wouldn’t be just as likely to get mugged as I would?”

“What if she was hurt?” I moved on, realizing my first what if was pretty bogus. “You wouldn’t have even known what to do or where to take her.”

Throwing his free hand up, he laughed in disbelief. “You people are killing me!”

“You people?” My head reared back. I wasn’t sure what he meant by it, but it felt offensive.

“First, your brother comes by here with his girlfriend and gives me shit, and now you. Can I expect any other members of the Torres family today?”

“Matt was here?” I asked, widening my eyes. Damn it, Matt. I should have known he’d do that just before leaving town. Now that he was gone, probably flying over some ocean, I couldn’t yell at him for it.

“Sure was.”

Shaking my head, unsure of what to say, I forged forward, driving my point home. “You shouldn’t have taken her out, Max.”

“I don’t know if you’ve noticed,” he quipped, his mouth quirking up on one side, “but I’m not a fucking moron.” Immediately, he sucked in air through his teeth, grimacing, before clenching his eyes closed. His tone had been harsh and his words crass. It was obvious he regretted them. “Sorry,” he mumbled. I wasn’t sure if the apology was meant for Pim or me, or both of us. “I didn’t mean to say that word in front of her.”

“Father of the year, folks,” I snickered, my tone thick with sarcasm. My friend snarkiness had sidled up beside me and was ready to throw a few punches.

His mouth flattened into a tight line before he stood and tugged his cell from his pocket. Within a few seconds, he had a video playing—another bike race. What was it with him and bike races? He’d never once mentioned motorcycles while we were together. Setting Pimberly on the floor, he handed her the phone, and she gazed at it sleepily.

“Can we talk in the kitchen?”

He didn’t give me a chance to answer before he stormed off. I followed him, stomping, angry he’d pulled the adult card and refused to argue in front of Pim. That’s what I should’ve done. How dare he.

In the kitchen, we stood where we could still see Pim, but were far enough away that if we kept our voices down, she wouldn’t hear us argue. Max stood, his feet planted firmly as he crossed his arms. I couldn’t deny something about the stance was unlike anything I remembered about him. It was confident. Max had always been a confident man, but in a way that made it seem like he thought he was superior to everyone. This was different somehow. His expression was stoic, but combined with his posture, he had a look that said, I’m sick of this shit. It threw me off a bit, but didn’t intimidate me. I knew I was right; there was no way he’d convince me otherwise, no matter what crazy head games he tried to play with me.

“Did you, or did you not, bring her here and leave her in my care for the past two days?” he began.

“Yes.” The word was said matter-of-factly and without apology. I had in fact done that.

“If you don’t think I’m capable of taking care of her, why in the hell did you bring her here?” he whispered angrily, the muscles in his jaw ticking.

Clenching my fist at my side, hoping to level the loudness of my response I gritted out, “To get you to sign the papers.”

Leaning toward me, his stare intense, he met my eyes. “I am not signing those papers right now, or anytime soon for that matter.”

Letting out a frustrated growl, I thundered, “Why not?! You don’t want her.” Throwing out my arm, I pointed in Pim’s direction. “I begged you to be a part of her life, and you wouldn’t even look at her. You literally threw us out of your office, Max! Why?” My last word broke off on a sob, my emotions getting the best of me. “Just sign them. Please,” I begged.

His features relaxed as the anger in his eyes ebbed away. Was that remorse I saw? His mouth flattened again, as he shook his head. Then he yanked a paper towel from the roll near him and handed it to me. My face was already a mess of tears, and I imagined my mascara was streaked down my cheeks. When he leaned against the counter and crossed his arms again, I had no idea what he was thinking, but I remained silent. I wanted him to be the next one to speak.