“Seriously?” she asks as I release her hands from the shackles. “Tell me you are not giving in to her. We’re kinda in the middle of something.”
I swing my legs over the edge of the bed, toss my condom in the trash, and reach for our clothes on the floor, throwing hers over to her.
“I don’t have much of a fucking choice, do I? I can’t deal with any more lawyer-shit. I love seeing my kid; I can’t risk Deb getting her tits twisted and trying to take more visitation away from me.” It took me two years to pass enough drug and alcohol tests to get the visitation I have. I’m not fucking it up. “Put your clothes on,” I growl.
“Can’t I just stay here? I don’t feel like driving around all night.”
I stand, pulling my jeans up to my hips and zipping them, not bothering to button them.
“No. Last time I let you stay here alone you went through my shit. That privilege has been revoked.” I pause. “Unless I leave you chained to my bed while I’m gone.”
“Asshole,” she mutters under her breath as I leave the room. Ignoring her, I kick my boots on as I shuffle down the hallway to my daughter’s bedroom.
Katie, the one ray of sunshine in my life, is fast asleep in her bed, the pink comforter wrapped snug around her. I sit on the edge of the tiny mattress and turn on the small lamp above it.
I give her a gentle shake. “Wake up, baby girl.”
She stirs, hugging her teddy bear tightly to her chest. Her big brown eyes flutter open and stare at me sleepily.
“Come on, sweetheart. I have to take you home.”
She scrunches up her face. “Nooo, Daddy. I sleep here with you.”
I brush the dark curls off her face. “I know, sweetie, but Mommy misses you a lot and wants you to come home now.”
The tears start, cracking my heart in two. I hate that witch for making me do this.
My daughter clutches my hand. “Daddy, I don’t want to go.”
I pick her up and hold her close to me, and she immediately wraps her tiny arms around my neck. I breathe in her baby scent, knowing I’m not going to hold her for another two weeks. Every time I see her she’s bigger, talking more. I hate Deb, but I refuse to let my daughter have a fucked up childhood like I did, with a father who skipped out and never looked back. It’s bad enough she’s got a selfish bitch for a mother and a recovering addict father who’s in a rock band and likes to chain women up. I make sure that when she’s with me she gets tons of love and attention—no matter what.
“Don’t cry, Katie-bug. I’m going to see you real soon.” I wipe her tears with my thumb.
She pushes her favorite teddy bear into my face. “Teddy wants to stay with you, Daddy. He’ll take care of you.”
I laugh and take Teddy from her. “I’m going to let him sleep in your bed. He’ll be right here waiting for you when you come back,” I tell her, tucking Teddy under the comforter.
She gives me her best smile as I kiss her soft cheek. I carry her out to the living room where Renee is perched on the couch, clad in a mini skirt and high heels.