A Redo (The Sterling Shore Series #6) (3 page)

I head in, ignoring the annoying, relentless bell.

“Did Mom say yes?” Angel asks as she stands up.

Grinning, I nod. “Yep. She’s waiting for you out back. And I’ll hold up my end of the bargain to have better stuff here for you.”

Seeming satisfied, she glances at the door, and then back at me. “I like pizza for dinner. Cheese only. Lasagna is okay. Spaghetti is good. No vegetables. No one ever makes me eat vegetables.”

A small laugh slips out of me.

“Italian it is,” I murmur, grinning. I’ll let her think she’s outsmarting me with the vegetables thing. Allie wouldn’t dare let her not eat them.

Her smile actually steals my breath, because she never smiles like that for me. Then she runs outside to meet her mother.

Knowing I have to deal with Erica, I decide to text Ash—Tag’s wife—instead of calling her. She’ll help me get this place ready. Rain, Tria, Raya, and Brin would probably help me out, too. They’ll know what girls need.

With a regretful breath, I open the door to let Erica in so that Angel and Allie can sneak out.

“It’s about damn time,” Erica growls as she shoulders by me.

“Come on in,” I mutter dryly.

“Where are they?”

I just laugh while shaking my head. “You’re not meeting my daughter, Erica. Forget it. I don’t want your crazy rubbing off on her.”

She takes several furious breaths, and follows me to the kitchen. I sit down at the table and start sorting the work I abandoned to spend time with Angel after breakfast this morning.

“You work in your study,” she says randomly.

“You’ve never been here before, so you don’t know where I work in this home.”

And I’m going to kick the ass of whoever gave her my address. I never wanted her tainting this property, which is why I never brought her here. I moved here because she doesn’t crowd this space with bad memories the way she does all of our other homes. Well,
my
other homes—it’s not
our
anything anymore. She signed a prenuptial agreement.

“Who is she? How did you have a kid? When did you have a kid?”

And we’re back to her reason for hating me even more.

“She is a woman I met seven years ago, and I treated her like shit. I had a kid because I was reckless. And my daughter was born over six years ago.”

“So you met her seven years ago, and you have a kid six years later? That’s quick work.”

“She got pregnant the first night we met.”
The only night we met.
“Factor in the nine months for pregnancy, and you have a six-year-old working on age seven. First grader. That’s all you need to know. It’s more than you deserve to know.”

She snorts derisively, moving to where she thinks she’s in my vision.

“She got pregnant the first night you met? Sounds like a real keeper.”

Dropping my pen to the table, I finally give Erica the attention she wants. “A woman who sleeps with her fiancé’s brother the night before they’re supposed to get married doesn’t get to judge a woman who is working her ass off to selflessly provide for her own child.”

She rolls her eyes, and I grind my teeth. She always brushes off what she did as nothing major. I was such a fucking idiot to marry her.

“As if you’re not the one providing for the child. Have you had a paternity test done?”

Why am I doing this? I got divorced for a reason.

“She won’t take money from me for anything. Not yet. I’m still working on convincing her to take it. Now, it’s time for you to go.”

“I’m not leaving,” she says stubbornly, her chin lifting in defiance.

“Erica, you’re leaving and not coming back. We’re not married, and now it’s called trespassing when you’re not welcome. So get the fuck out of my house. I’ve been as nice as I can be.”

She glares at me, and I stand up, ready to haul her ass out if that’s what it takes. After calling me a few choice words, she storms out, and I take a deep breath. Never again will I do something as stupid as marry someone. It’s not like she broke my heart, but she sure as hell broke my tolerance level.

It’s funny how she used to accuse me of being too nice, and Allie hates me for being the biggest dick in her life.

Fucking irony. Got to love it.

Chapter 5

ALLIE

“I’m confused… You said yes? I thought you were already regretting ever telling him about Angel,” Bella says from the sofa.

Wren is by far the most… I don’t even know what to say about him. I keep waiting on him to mess up and show me that this is all a game, but he keeps surprising me, and Angel seems to genuinely want to get to know him.

“I didn’t want to say yes, but then again, what choice do I really have? Legally, he could take me to court and get more than what he’s asking for. Even though he has nothing child-friendly in his massive house, Angel still loves going over there. She always smiles when I pick her up, even if she isn’t smiling in front of him. I think I’m holding her back more than anything, because she wipes her smile away the second she catches me looking at her.”

“Afraid she’s betraying her momma because she can tell how you really feel about him,” Bella says in agreement. Great. That just makes me feel like a bitch.

“I feel like my right to hate Wren
Prize
is slowly being pulled away. Angel is more important, so I have to learn to get along with him. If he’s making the effort, then I need to meet him halfway.”

But damn, seven years of built-up resentment is hard to let go right away. I expected things to go totally different than they have. I’ve spent so long preparing for the worst, and I don’t know how to handle things… the way they are, which are surprisingly… decent.

So confusing.

Bella nods slowly, digesting my words. She looks odd in a room so barren and devoid of her personality. The fresh white paint on the walls makes her beach tan pop.

All the boxes are neatly packed and ready for our move. I don’t know what I’d do without my best friend. I sure as hell couldn’t have raised Angel without her help.

“So, why are you so mad right now if that’s how you feel?” she finally asks.

“Because he’s doing everything right. He picks her up and drops her off when he says he will. He’s always where he tells me he’ll be, and he’s been amazingly patient. I have to look for reasons to be pissed, because he’s so damn perfect.”

Bella cocks an eyebrow, clearly amused. “You’re right. I’d be furious,” she mocks dryly.

I groan while dropping to the other sofa. “He put Angel’s birthday as his gate code. He’s bringing me a key to his houses—all of them. He’s also giving me the alarm codes and keyless entry codes—just in case I ever need anything from there.”

“Wow.” She whistles low, seemingly impressed. “So cut the guy some slack. It’s been three months, and he’s still hanging in there. He wants a relationship with Angel. Isn’t that why you moved out here?”

I laugh humorlessly. “I moved out here because this is where you wanted to go, didn’t you know?”

She snorts while shoving my shoulder playfully. “Whatever. That girl has been asking questions you’ve avoided for years. I’m proud of you for facing this. For doing this for her. It proves you’re a hell of a woman. Now prove you’re even better and start letting her feel like it’s okay to want to know her dad.”

That strikes a nerve, only because I’ve been feeling the same way. The day I found that interview on the Internet with him and Tag Masters… I didn’t think my heart was going to slow down. There he was. Wren Jacobs unmasked as Wren Prize—Sterling Shore royalty.

Bella had just moved out here from our small town three hours away. She’d been begging me to make the move with her because she couldn’t pass up her job. Considering my best friend helped me raise Angel, I hated to split them up. Angel loves Bella like a second mother.

Then I found my daughter’s father by accident while skimming web news. It was like some colossal sign.

At first I couldn’t believe it. He looked almost the same, just older, and unfortunately, he also looked sexier. His body was stronger, his inky black hair was a little longer, shagging in just the right way, and his piercing blue eyes were just as mesmerizing as I remembered.

My blood boiled, and I felt like an idiot all over again. To this day, I don’t know who I’m madder at—myself for being so stupid as to sleep with a guy I didn’t know, or him for being the horrible jerk he was once he got what he came for.

Even after moving out here, it had taken me months of deliberating to decide whether or not I wanted to face the man who treated me worse than trash seconds after he was finished with my body. The same man who lied about his last name and didn’t bother to check the condom he tossed in the trash with my pride. I’d never felt so humiliated and debased—so damn used. Even though I threw it out there on a platter for him, I really didn’t expect him to deposit and go like he did.

Shuddering at the memories, I roll my shoulders back. Despite my own personal grievances, we do have a daughter. He’s obviously grown up since I last knew him, and Angel deserves a father. Especially if he wants to be one.

“You’re right. I’ll try. He’d just better not fuck up.”

Bella grins while standing, and she ruffles my hair. “Good. Start with asking him to help us move this weekend. We need the extra muscle.”

My jaw pops open as she walks away, and I turn to follow her through the apartment.

“You’re kidding, right?”

“Nope,” she says idly, making the word pop. “All the men I know are the men I don’t want to know. So ask your child’s father to help his daughter’s mother move your stuff this weekend. He’ll do it, and he’ll be happy you asked. We don’t need to splurge on movers. Or you could ask Roger.”

Oh crap. I forgot to call Roger today. It’s really not a good sign if you can’t remember to call the man you’re dating.

“Roger and I have only been dating for a few weeks, and I don’t know him well enough to introduce him to Angel. That shows a bigger commitment than I’m ready to make.”

She shrugs and moves to the side to start microwaving leftover pizza in our small kitchen.

“Then call the one man you do let around your daughter. Trust me. If he’s the real deal, he’ll help us move.”

Swallowing hard, I glance down at my phone. It would be a test to see how far he’d go for Angel. Up until now, he’s only had to dedicate an hour at a time for her. It might make me feel better to see him interact with her after several hours of tedious, miserable moving. His patience will be frayed after a lot of labor, and he might reveal any hidden colors.

“Quit scheming and call him for the right reasons,” Bella says, proving she knows me too well.

I scowl at her, but I keep my mouth shut while picking up my phone. There’s no need in me calling—that’s what texting is for. The weekend is two days away. He doesn’t start spending more time with her until next week.

This is a perfect opportunity to see the real Wren. And I won’t give him any warning. I’ll wait until tomorrow, where he’ll have to cancel plans to help out.

Chapter 6

WREN

“So the girl is hot, but cold and bitchy. She’s a good mom, but she’s definitely one to hold a grudge. And she’s smart but insanely hung up on one mistake defining a person. And Brin says I’m full of contradictions,” Rye says while taking a sip of his beer and propping his feet up on my coffee table.

I join him, and let my eyes drift up to the ceiling. Never thought I’d be having a heart to heart with Rye Clanton, but if anyone can understand how to deal with someone who doesn’t forgive easily, it’s him. God knows he can hold a grudge better than anyone in the world after the hell he went through. Thank God for Brin Waters. It’s possible she saved him.

“Well, considering I don’t even remember having sex with her the night I got her pregnant, I think she has the right to be judgmental. It figures the one night I acted as callous as Maverick, Corbin, or Tag that I would screw up this monumentally. I still can’t believe I did it.

“Hell, Tag doesn’t remember it either. We were wasted out of our minds that whole week. I was about to take over one of my mom’s smaller companies. Tag had taken the trust fund Mom set up for him, and he had invested every dime into a company he had taken over. We were both becoming real adults, so we wanted to party like fucking kids one last time.”

Rye nods while taking another sip, and then he stands to grab another drink from the fridge. Allie ceded to me spending more time with Angel, but I can tell she did so under duress.

My phone chirps just before Rye says something, and he waits while I check the new message.

ALLIE: We’re moving to a small house tomorrow. Will you help us? Sorry for the short notice.

I’m shocked that she even bothered to ask at all, considering she hates being around me for more time than necessary.

ME: I’ll be there, and I’ll bring help. Thanks for asking.

Christ. I’m thanking her for asking for my help. How quickly I have fallen from grace.

“What’s up?” Rye asks, apparently seeing the look on my face.

“We’re moving Allie, Bella, and Angel tomorrow. She just sent a text and asked for help.”

His grin forms lazily, and I roll my eyes before his taunts begin. Yeah. I know how fucking pathetic I look.

“I thought you were going to Dane’s country club party tomorrow.”

“I’ll cancel. If Allie’s asking for my help, then she desperately needs help. If I hire movers, it’ll make me look like a bitch. If I show up with my muscled-up friend, I’ll look like a badass in front of my daughter who is still on the fence about liking me.”

He laughs while plopping down beside me. “Why me? Brin and I never get a Saturday alone anymore. She’s been busy as hell at work. It’s the first Saturday she’s had off in a while. What about Ethan? He’s home for a few more weeks before he heads back to Chicago.”

I shake my head, not pitying him one bit for losing two seconds with Brin, since they’re
always
together. “Ethan will try sticking his dick in Allie’s roommate, and I’ll be in the doghouse if he succeeds. I don’t even want him knowing Bella exists.”

Rye frowns but then nods knowingly. “What about Tag? Ash has shopping plans tomorrow with her mom, so he’ll be on his own.”

It’s sad that he knows their plans, but Ash and Brin are getting closer every day, and Rye absorbs anything out of his girlfriend’s mouth, no matter how unimportant.

“Tag has already stuck his dick in her roommate, but he doesn’t remember it. I haven’t mentioned it, and I don’t plan to. He doesn’t remember me meeting Allie, so obviously Bella is just a blur. I’d rather not open that can of worms, because I’d be in a bigger doghouse. Again, you’re it. Even if you do find me extra help, they will be extra help, because Allie has met you and sewed you up, so you owe her. And Brin is going, too. Tell her. She’ll be happy to repay the favor. She can spill good things about me while I’m working my ass off.”

He laughs harshly while holding his hands up in surrender. “Damn. Fine. I’ll go and break even with the girl. And Brin will come, too. She’s mentioned doing something for her a few times. What about Kade and Raya? They’re in town tomorrow. Raya sent a text to Brin asking her if we had any plans. You know Kade will help, and Raya is always game.”

The more people there who like me, the better. “Sounds good. I’ll give him a call. If Dane didn’t have that country club thing, I’d ask him for help.”

“Corbin and Maverick are out, I’m assuming,” he says, grinning. “Considering they’d work harder than Ethan to get their dick in the roommate if she’s hot.”

Sighing, I lean back and mentally cross out all the names of the people who aren’t allowed to help. After realizing what a task that is, I look back at Rye. “Only guys in a serious relationship. Only girls I’ve never dated and who aren’t friends or friendly with Erica. Deal?”

He gives me his lazy grin once again while digging his phone out of his pocket. Then we get to work.