Page 41 of Absolution

"You ready to head back?"

I rub my chest, hoping the massive pain subsides. "Yep. I need to go convince your wife, I'm the best Hatcher."

"Buddy, you wouldn't be the first man to try to break us up. Besides, she knows better." He waggles his brows, taking off toward the house before it dawns on me that we're racing. I get going, hauling ass in the same direction.

"Hey! You're cheating!"

Chapter Thirteen

Scarlet

Sunday morning we wake up to a gorgeous day, and I'm looking at another long week at work. All I want to do is soak up everything with my baby. She loves pancakes, so we're off first thing this morning in search of the fluffy goodness.

I turn onto Ocean Boulevard, driving toward our favorite restaurant. The light changes, so I slow down, coming to a stop. Emmie has been a non-stop motormouth since learning her first word from Creed.

"Asshole," I mutter under my breath. The light changes, our turn is just ahead. I flip my signal light on, braking so that I can take it. Suddenly, a runner cuts me off, making me slam them to the floor.

I check on Emmie when she begins to cry before turning to glower at the jogger. He stops just beyond my SUV when I come to a screeching halt. I gape when his face comes into focus, I can't believe my eyes.

I hit the button on my window. "You!"

"I am so sorry. Are you two okay?" Creed steps toward us.

"Stop! I need to pull off the road, you idiot." I pull into the lot, rolling up my window. I climb out, walking around to Emmie to get her out. She's still whimpering from the commotion.

"Please, let me apologize. I feel horrible."

"You need to be careful; I had no view of you from the side," I growl, taking Emmie from her seat. I nestle her to my chest, soothing her.

"Again, I'm so sorry. Can I help you?" His face twists in disgust. There's a heaviness in my chest, he appears to be miserable. I can't help, even though I need to tell him to go away, that's not what comes out when I open my mouth.

"We're going in to have breakfast. Do you care to grab my bag and lock up, while I get her inside?"

His eyes gleam as his face softens. "I'll be right behind you."

"Wonderful." I sigh heavily. He's at the door before I can reach for it, holding it open. "Thanks."

"Three?" The waitress smiles as she checks Creed out.

"No."

"Yes, please." My head spins like I'm possessed, glaring at him. "I'll buy, it's the least I can do."

"Fine."

We turn back to the waitress who's smiling at Creed. "Great! Right this way, Sir."

"Oh, please." I gag a little at the way she's falling all over him. But when I glance his way, he's still staring at me. Weirdo.

"This way." His hand finds the small of my back, sending chills up my spine. Stop it, Scar. He's not what you need. I sit Emmie in the highchair, buckling her in as I do. "You amaze me with her, you're so patient."

"She's a baby, she needs me to help her."

He wrinkles his nose when she pulls out her hand, reaching for him with slobber all over her. "No, thank you."

"Emmie." He cuts his eyes at me. "Her name is Emmie."

"I've never really been around kids, just a few of my friends' children."