Page 43 of Draft Pick
“Daddy is going to be having some words with Uncle King Size, that’s for sure,Ms. DJ,” I joke. “Now, last bite, then it’s off to bed.”
“He told me you’d say that.”
“I bet he did.”
“Uncle Gus said so, too. He teached me someone named Bow Wow. He talks super-duper fast.”
Jesus Christ. Add Gus to the fucking list.
“Yeah, well, next time you see Uncle Gus, tell him he has stinky farts and make sure you yell it so everyone can hear.”
“Ewww,” Addie giggles. “You have stinky farts, too, Daddy! They smell like poop!”
Average 10 p.m. chats with Adeline Briggs.
“They probably do,” I chuckle, helping her off the counter and cleaning her face with a wet paper towel. “Bedtime.”
Addie reaches for my hand as I guide her back upstairs. “When can we see Dr. Wilde again?”
I try to mask my reaction. It’s not unusual for Addie to get attached to people, especially women. But Juniper has been one that’s surprised me. Addie is infatuated with her, and I can’t distinguish why.
Maybe there’s something I don’t see or can’t yet?
I’m not sure. But I also don’t know how to go about this. Juniper is Addie’s doctor, not her friend. But there’s next to nothing I wouldn’t do to make Addie happy.
That includes making sure she gets to see Dr. Wilde again.
“I really don’t know, sweetie. Why do you ask?”
“I like her. She’s really nice to me and smiles a lot when you’re around, Daddy. She needs friends, and I want to be her friend so much.”
“You are her friend. Probably the best one she’s ever had, too,” I say, tucking her into bed and flipping off the light. “We don’t get to see Dr. Wilde for another three months, since you’re doing so great on your smartie beans.”
The twinkling of butterfly lights illuminates Addie’s room, making the whites of her eyes glitter at me. “But why so long?” she cries softly. “Oh! Maybe we can have a playdate?”
She’s not making this easy on me.
“I don’t know, sweetie. We’ll have to see, okay? Get some sleep, and we’ll talk in the morning.”
Addie smiles wide. “And then you’ll talk to Dr. Wilde about a playdate?”
Oh, hell.
“We’ll see.” I kiss her forehead, but the girl keeps going.
“Please. Please. Please.”
What grown woman would want to spend time with someone else’s child on her day off? Probably none, but I’m gonna ask anyway.
“Fine. I’ll ask her. But I don’t want to hear another word about it until then. Understood?”
I back away just as Addie’s eyes fall closed, the softest smile still lingering. “I promise. I love you, Daddy.”
“And I love you, Doodle. Sleep tight.”
I shut the door behind me, the back of my head falling against the cold wood. Tonight didn’t go how I planned, but again, a new normal I’m still learning how to manage. I can’t help but think that maybe Addie staying up later to eat is a blessing in disguise.
It gives me the one thing I’ve wanted more of…time.
