Grandma clears her throat from the kitchen, and I put my hands on Cassie’s shoulders. “There is someone I want you to meet.”
“Who?”
“Your new grandmother.”
Her eyes open wide. “I get another grandmother?”
Jaxon and I laugh. “Well actually, she’s my grandmother which makes her your great-grandmother.”
“I…I don’t understand. Do I call her Grandma?”
“Yes, child, you call me Grandma.” I glance up to see my grandmother holding her arms out to Cassie. “Why don’t you come here and say hello.”
Jaxon gives Cassie a nod and she leaves my arms and goes to her new great-grandmother.
“Aren’t you a pretty one.” Grandma looks from Cassie to Jaxon and me. She touches Cassie’s ponytail, and I know the two are going to hit it off. She might not have been the best grandmother to me, but she’s mellowed over the years, has lots of regrets and I know damn well she’s going to fix all her mistakes with this sweet little girl. Cassie has been a gift to all of us.
Cassie curls her ponytail through her fingers. “Daddy gives me Nightmare Moon, but Rachel.” She stops and corrects herself, like the precocious little girl she is. “I mean my new mommy gives me Twisted Pony.” I stare at Cassie and feel like I’ve come full circle, and that circle is now bubbling with love.
Grandma laughs and says, “How would you like to help me make a pie? We’re having a big turkey dinner. I hope you can stay.”
I nod, and Cassie excitedly dashes in to the kitchen. Grandma winks at me and follows Cassie, giving Jaxon and me a few minutes alone.
“I have a confession, too,” he says and pulls me to him.
“Oh?” I snuggle against him, and slide my arms around his back.
“I fell in love with the sorority girl next door, and I still don’t know her last name.”
I give a casual shrug. “Does it even matter now?”
He cocks his head. “Why wouldn’t it matter?”
“Because as fast as I can, I want to change it to your last name.”
“Really?”
“Yeah, really.”
He picks me up and spins me. “You’ve made me the happiest man in the world. I really like the sound of Rachel Morgan, but you don’t have to—”
“Jaxon.”
“Yeah?”
“Shut up and kiss the future Rachel Morgan already.”
Thank You!
Thank you so much for reading, Single Dad Next Door. I hope you enjoyed the story as much as I loved writing it. Be sure to read on for an excerpt of Confessions of a Bad Boy Cop.
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Happy Reading,
Cathryn
Confessions of a Bad Boy Cop LAYLA
Six years ago:
Dad’s pool party is in full swing by the time I step into the backyard, in search of free alcohol for myself—and my friends, who are eagerly waiting inside. Hey, why shouldn’t I sneak a few bottles, right? It’s summer vacation. I just worked an insane double shift at the mall food court, and I wouldn’t mind a cold drink to wind down after a long-ass day with no breaks because my co-worker called in sick. Sick, my ass. I heard she hooked up with a couple guys and went to the beach.
Scorching sunshine beats down on me as I glance around the deck, which is dotted with loud, obnoxious people. I take in the hedonistic atmosphere and skimpy bathing suits as stiff drinks are downed in record time. I shake my head in disgust. Sometimes I feel like I’m the only adult in the house. Yes, I know Mom and Dad had me when they were too young, lost great scholarships because of it—something my mother always likes to point out—but still, they’re supposed to be the grown ups in this relationship, yet again and again, they prove they’re not.
I search out my mom, and my heart squeezes when I find her sitting on the edge of the pool. Cheeks pink from the sun, not to mention too much alcohol, she looks lost in thought as she runs a hand through her wet hair, and kicks her legs in the water. I grab the lotion and head straight for her.
I go down on my knees. “Mom,” I say, and touch her shoulder gently, not wanting to alarm her. “You might want to get out of the sun.”
She waves her hand at me like I’m nothing but a nuisance fly. “What are you doing here?”
My heart sinks into my stomach at her dismissive, angry tone. “I just got home from work.” I hand her the lotion and she glares at it like I’ve just given her a store-bought enema kit.
“If you want to make yourself useful, grab me another drink.” She shakes her glass at me, and the melting ice clicks on the bottom. As the sound grates on my last nerve, I want to tell her she’s had enough, but it will only lead to a fight. I take the glass and shut my mouth, making a mental note to leave Tylenol and water by her bed the way I always do when she’s on a bender, which is pretty much every weekend, and then some.
As I make my way to the outdoor bar, I let my gaze rake over the crowd a second time. Most of the male cops Dad work with are either falling over themselves drunk, or hitting on someone else’s wife.
Pigs.
Every last one of them.
Well except for Jack Michaels, Dad’s partner and best friend. I’ve known Jack forever and have yet to see him get out of control like the others. In fact, he’s always rigid, reserved, scanning the room for trouble. A predator in search of his prey. God, I want to be the deer in his headlights. A fine shiver moves through my body, hitting every hot button along the way to the needy spot between my legs. Yeah, that’s right. I have it bad for my Dad’s best friend.
I
