Bentley looks like he’s about to rip my dad’s throat out, so I jump in and tell him we understand so he’ll walk away. Bentley turns to me, fuming. “Bro, why the hell do you let him talk to you like that? If it wasn’t for your reputation, this gym wouldn’t be half as popular as it is. It’s you that brings the people in. Fuck him.”
I get what he’s saying, but it’s pointless to argue with either of them, so I just shrug my shoulders and head to the locker room to try and wash away some of this hangover. I need my mind clear if I’m going to figure out my next move.
Thirteen
Liz
Kayla and I ended up talking through the night while enjoying our ice cream and wine. On my way to Ashley’s to pick up Bella, I can’t stop thinking about what Kayla said to me about Cooper. She’s right in a sense. He doesn’t know he has a daughter. I think I need to tell him about Bella and leave the ball in his court. If he still doesn’t want anything to do with her then at least I can say I tried. I don’t want Bella to grow up one day and think I purposely kept her father from her.
I pull up to Ashley’s house and am barely out of the car, when Bella barrels out of the door, leaving it wide open. She throws herself into my arms, and I pick her up, holding her tight as she pulls her head back and gives me the most adorable toothy grin. “I missed you sooooo much, Mommy! Did you miss me?”
“You bet I did. I missed you to the farthest, brightest star and back.”
Her eyes go wide before she starts to giggle. “Mommy, you’re so silly. You can’t miss me that much. The stars are like infinity miles away!”
“Well, that’s how much I missed you. Did you have a good time with Tristan?”
“Yes! We played Uno like a gazillion times and I won more times than him.” Her voice goes lower like she’s telling me a secret. “But I saw he was getting sad, so I let him win so he would be happy again.”
I look at my little girl and feel so proud to call myself her mother. She’s so caring and has such a huge heart. I can’t imagine not having this beautiful little miracle in my life. If Cooper doesn’t want her in his life, he’s the one losing out.
She hugs me again and thanks me for letting her spend the night here. I tell her she’s welcome and decide for sure I’m going to tell Cooper about Bella. Whether he wants her in his life or not, he deserves the chance to make the decision.
Then it hits me… I left the party without getting his information again.
After having coffee and chatting with Ashley, we head back home to find Kayla passed out on the couch, limbs sprawled out, looking like she’s barely breathing. This is what happens when she drinks too much.
Bella walks up to her slowly, placing her fingers under Kayla’s nose, and smiles at me.
“Whew! Don’t worry, Mommy, I can feel her tickling my finger. She’s okay.”
I try not to laugh at the fact that my daughter just confirmed Kayla’s not dead.
“Bella, you’re silly. Of course, she’s okay. She just fell asleep on the couch watching TV. Why don’t you bring your backpack to your room and empty it out and I’ll make you some cereal?”
“Ooo-kay, Mom!” She drags her backpack full of toys and clothes she brought to Tristan’s last night down the hallway to her bedroom.
“Hey sleepy-head, wake up!” I yell into Kayla’s ear, causing her to jump a half a mile into the air and grab her chest like it’s about to explode. She looks around and then glares at me.
“Was that necessary? After I stayed up all night comforting you with ice cream and wine, that’s how you repay me?”
I ignore her question and ask the one that’s been on my mind since I left Ashley’s. “You don’t by any chance have any of the guys’ numbers from last night, do you? I made the decision to tell Cooper about Bella and then realized I, once again, didn’t get his damn number.”
“You’re in luck. I just so happened to get Bentley’s number last night.”
“Oh, awesome. Wait a second, you, miss no commitment, miss one-night stand, miss no strings attached, miss never get a guy’s number or give him yours, actually got a guy’s number?”
“Trust me, I didn’t ask for or want it. When I set my phone down on the counter to pour myself a drink, he stole my phone and wouldn’t give it back without calling himself from my number so he could have mine. I was seriously pissed, but it looks like it was for the best, because now I can look in my call log and we can get Cooper’s number from him.”