CHAPTERONE
Cameron
Glancing at my watch,a smile spreads across my face. Getting home this early means I’ll be able to take my daughter, Trinity, to school. It’s not very often I get the luxury. Other parents, this is their normal, but as a single dad, firefighter - there are sacrifices I have to make. One of those is making sure the community we live in is safe. Sometimes at the expense of my own family.
“I’m home,” I yell out, entering into what could be a mass of excitement, or the quietness of a museum. I’ve seen it both ways.
They could be doing something in the kitchen, or carefully contemplating what Trinity will be wearing to school.
“Daddy!”
That little voice is enough to make my day. No matter what kind of shift I just had, being with her and doing things for her is what I live for. She runs to me. I clasp her around the waist and put her on my hip. Soon, I won’t be able to do this anymore. She’ll be too big.
At six, she’s still little enough. I’ll take it as long as I can. Cherish every moment we have together, and do my best to let her grow up when the time is right.
On the day when we can’t, I’ll probably break down and cry.
“Did you sleep good?”
She hugs me tightly, burying her face in my neck. “Yeah, did you?”
“Sure did,” I answer, breathing in deeply, loving how the smell of her shampoo welcomes me home. It’s always calmed me, from the time when she was a baby and we walked the floor at all hours. When I would get frustrated, being the only parent taking care of her, and tired from working, I’d press my nose into her hair and take calming breaths until I wasn’t on edge anymore. “Not many emergencies at the firehouse last night. Is it okay if I take you to school?”
Exuberantly, she nods. “Yeah, are you gonna be able to pick me up?”
“Of course.”
“Can we go for ice cream?”
I’m a goddamn sucker when it comes to her green eyes. “Yes, yes we can. Where’s Natalie?” I look around for Gauge’s sister. She’s been babysitting Trinity since she was three-years-old. Typically, Nat is right here with my daughter.
“She had an accident with the pancake batter.”
“Oh yeah?” I laugh, tickling Trin’s stomach. “Did you have anything to do with it?” There’s a good chance she did, and Natalie was too nice to give her a talking to for it.
Trinity screws up her mouth, pensive in the way only a child can be. “I was helping to stir and I flicked the spoon. She got it in her hair so she went to take a shower.”
“Okay, Lady Bug.” I set her down, with a small kiss on h er forehead. “Lemme go check on Nat and you finish eating your breakfast.”
She has a seat in her chair and starts eating. Once I know she’s got it together, I head down the hallway wanting to check on Natalie. There’s no telling how bad it actually was. I should probably apologize. The water isn’t running anymore, so I figure she can hear as I come in.
“Trinity? I’ll be out in just a sec.”
Nat’s voice is breathless, like I would imagine it’d be if I’d pleasured her.It hadn’t occurred to me, she’d think it was Trinity. I walk much harder than my daughter.
“I’m home.” I announce my presence, but it’s too late.
The door to the bathroom is open, probably because she thought she was home alone with my daughter. As I get to the entrance, I’m greeted with my best friend’s little sister, who isn’t so little any more.
The towel wrapped around her chest is holding on for dear life where it’s knotted between her breasts. Wet curls hang down around her shoulders, begging for me to reach out and wrap one around my index finger.
“Cam.” She clamps hold of the towel, her fingers tightening roughly against the fabric. “You’re early.”
“Easy shift. I wasn’t gonna look a gift horse in the mouth when I was told to go home early. Shoulda called.”
“No, no.” She shakes her head, her pink tongue coming out to lick already wet lips. “If you give me a few minutes, I’ll get dressed and take Trinity to school.”
My voice is full of gravel. “Nah, I’ll take her. Was kinda looking forward to it since I got off early.”