a nervous wreck this morning. “Thanks for coming with me. Adele swore Cricket wanted to meet us, but this still feels awkward as hell.”
Cricket has been in rehab since she returned last month, but she couldn’t see visitors until now. She got wrapped up in some heavier drugs when she went out west, but Adele got her to agree to get some help if she came home.
“Not even a Heisman or national championship can prepare a man for this kind of thing,” I mutter as I stare at the facility, which looks like a fancy hotel. But just like all the other crazy moments this year, Gabby is right by my side. “What if seeing us makes her relapse?”
“She’s in a place where professionals can help her if she struggles. That’s why Adele agreed it was a good idea to do it now, but if things don’t go well, Poppy and I can wait here.”
In the back seat, my daughter hears her name and babbles back to us.
I’m so conflicted about everything, except I want to do what’s right for Poppy, and getting off to a good foot now with Cricket will only help down the road. I don’t want to be one of those people who argue over a kid. That wouldn’t be healthy for my daughter, so I’m setting aside my reservations to try to mend this bridge.
It helps that Gabby is so supportive. After everything she went through with Miranda, I wouldn’t blame her if she didn’t want to meet Cricket or be involved today, but my woman is amazing. She says that Poppy comes first and agrees this is a good step.
My girlfriend sends me off with a kiss, and I head in, hoping I’m making the right decision.
“Mr. Kingston,” a receptionist greets me. “We’re expecting you. This way.”
She escorts me down a long hallway. This could be the Four Seasons for how nicely it’s decorated. Were it not for the security cameras and locked main entrance, I wouldn’t know the difference.
She knocks on one of the rooms, and my heart pounds as I enter behind her. “Cricket, dear, you have a visitor.” The receptionist closes the door behind me.
The waify woman who greets me is not what I expect. For one, I don’t recognize her. At all. Two, she looks like a little fairy princess with long, blonde hair, but is so slender, she might disappear behind the curtains if she steps behind them. Third, she gets right to the point.
With an embarrassed smile, she introduces herself. “Hi, Rider. I’m Adele’s granddaughter.” She twists her hands together. “Sorry I drugged you and got knocked up.”
From what Adele tells me, Cricket was just as surprised by the strength of those brownies as I was.
Blowing out a breath, I fix a smile on my face and hold out my hand. “Nice to formally meet you.” After a tense minute of silence, I just admit it. “I’m sorry, but I don’t really remember you.”
She grimaces. “It’s okay. I don’t remember you either. And you’re definitely not the kind of guy a girl forgets.”
I shift. Run a hand through my hair. “Things obviously got out of hand. I’m so sorry if… I ever did anything you didn’t want me to do.” God, this is awkward.
“Please, don’t apologize to me. I’m sorry my asshole dealer gave me a bag of pot laced with PCP, and I made an extra-big batch of brownies.”
Well, that would explain how Knox landed in someone’s garden naked.
Damn, I guess we’re all lucky no one did anything extra-crazy and died that day.
She rubs her hand down her arm. “Is Poppy doing well?”
I’m still reeling from her admission. I clear my throat. “She’s great. She’s here with my girlfriend Gabby if you want to see her,” I say hesitantly. Adele assured me she would make sure Cricket knew I was in a committed relationship so there would be no confusion.
Her head bobs.
I have no problem accepting her apologies for what happened to me that weekend. People make mistakes. I get it. But I do have a problem with how she dropped off the baby.
“Can I ask a question?” When she agrees, I ask, “Why did you leave Poppy at my house like that? Why didn’t you talk to me? I’m not an ogre. We could’ve discussed things like adults.”
Her eyes fill with tears. “I’m so horrified to admit this, but…” She sniffles. Wipes her eyes. “I wasn’t sure who the father was. I kept seeing the Broncos