“Where were you?”

“My apartment.”

“And how did you get here before us?”

“I may not be a lot of things, but I promise I’m a better driver than all of you.”

“And I called him first,” I said, taking an obvious step closer.

“Why didn’t you call Mark or me first?”

“I knew Kye could get here faster, and I was alone with Bailey. I’m going to make the decision to not be alone here with someone breaking into my house, regardless of who it is.”

“Maybe he got here so fast because it was him,” my dad said.

“It was him?” Mark asked, only hearing the last of the sentence. He came over, the anger twisting on his face like I had never seen. I didn’t even know Mark could get angry.

“You come back into town and suddenly Daisy is having all these issues, but yet, you’re always there to help, aren’t you? These things weren’t happening before you came.”

“And I think that if you are going to demand hanging around him, then you can give me custody of Bailey until these things stop.”

“Hold on, you want to take her kid because someone is after her? Like its her fault?”

“Oh, I don’t think it’s her fault. I think it’s yours, but she seems to think she should be hanging around you, calling you over, letting you watch Bailey.”

“You think you can tell me who I should hang out with still? And you think I would listen?” I asked. I didn’t know how I could have a kid, a job, a house, and the thousand other things that went along with just being an adult, and he still thought he could tell me what to do or who to be around.

“I think you’re being stupid if you throw away anything with Mark just to be with this guy. A guy that can’t offer you more than a shit apartment that he has to share with his friends, and maybe comes home once a month. You think that’s good for Bailey? For you?”

The adrenaline was already wearing off, my shoulders sagging, but anger still burned. I remembered what Amber said, and this was what she meant. I needed to protect Kye against my dad.

Bailey ran to Kye who, even with them all ready to haul him away, still picked her up with a smile.

Because he was going to do whatever he needed to protect her from thinking there was a problem.

Mark took off, heading towards Kye like he was either going to punch him or grab Bailey, both of which I wasn’t going to let happen. I stepped between them, Mark running into me, but quickly steadying both of us.

I shook his hands off and stepped back into Kye. His hand rested on my waist, steadying me and making me more sure of myself.

“You can think you are going to use this to take Bailey, but you are going to have to do that the legal way. Fight me in court, Dad, that’s fine. If that’s what you think is best for Bailey, you can do it, but I promise you will not win. Kye, please put Bailey in your car.”

“Daisy, you don’t have to⁠—”

“Now, please.” I kept my voice calm, but I didn’t move from between them. “I need to go inside and get Bailey a few things. Are you going to let me or make me go buy new things so you don’t call me an unfit mother?”

“Are you going to his place?”

“Yes,” I said, already knowing nothing was stopping me from staying with Kye tonight.

“Then go ahead and show me how great of a mother you are. You can’t go back in the house. It’s a crime scene.”

I smiled, already walking towards Kye’s car. “Great. Thanks so much, Dad.”

He caught up to me, grabbing my arm as Kye shut the car door, watching us.

“I heard you broke up with Mark, and now this? Daisy, I am worried about you and Bailey. This is your safety, her safety. Please, I'm trying to help.”

“Well, stop it. I know I’ve gone along and done whatever you wanted, but I’m not anymore. I want my own life and I get to choose who is in it. If you want to keep us safe, figure out who is slashing my tires and breaking into my house.”

“And if it is Kye?”

“You better have undeniable proof before you think I will ever believe you.”

He nodded, and I went to get in the car.

“Thanks,” I said. “And now I’m exhausted, so let’s go.”

Kye didn’t say anything, but he pulled out, taking me home. I could already feel the calm relief flooding me, and I leaned back into the seat, enjoying every quiet second.

FORTY-SIXKYE

By the time we made it into Ransom and Quinn’s place, Bailey was already passed out as I laid her on their couch. They only smiled, more than happy to have them over for the night.

Before Daisy could say anything, I was already heading out the door. I heard every word from her dad. I didn’t realize she was risking anything for just talking to me, but apparently, this wasn’t a new threat from him.

And Mark. Her fucking boyfriend who, instead of taking care of her and Bailey, wanted to blame me for breaking into her house. Who didn’t even ask if they were okay, but instead wanted to hit me.

It didn’t matter if I had grown up. I was still happy to fight, but there wasn’t a chance I was going to do it in front of Bailey.

“Can you guys watch her?” Daisy asked as I pulled open the door. I gritted my teeth, already knowing she was coming after me, and already knowing I couldn’t handle it.

The door shut behind us, and I kept stomping up the stairs with no intention of stopping.

“Kye?”

One word and I immediately turned, ready to do whatever she wanted.

“What?”

She looked up at me, her hazel eyes wide. Her blonde hair was up in a messy bun that was falling to the side now.

My chest tightened, every part of my heart shattering.

“I was wondering if I could come up and stay with you tonight,” she said, the uncertainty in her tone only breaking me more. I really couldn’t do this. I couldn’t keep turning down the only person I wanted.

“Why?”

“Because I…need you?”