Page 122 of Buckin' Around

She should have showed me the goddamn note.

I had the ri?—

“Spencer. Please. I didn’t want her coming back for Ivy. I thought, as inexperienced as you were with kids, at least you didn’t abandon her.” The plea in Riley’s tone sends my gut sinking.

I hate it.

I can’t bring myself to ease it, either.

So, I come to a standstill, our gazes locking as Riley’s face moves through devastation and hurt to deflation.

“I’m sorry, Spence,” she whispers, her eyes lining with silver.

Yeah, Riles, me too.

It’s not that I would have given Ivy back. Okay, maybe I would have. But Riley should have told me.

She should have fucking told me.

“I have to go and find my daughter,” I growl and head for Brady’s pickup, leaving Riley leaning against my own.

“Hey,” Brades calls when he sees me approaching.

Ivy is crawling in the tray of his vehicle, chasing a ball as Brady takes it and rolls it to the front by the cab again.

“You realize she’s not a dog, bud,” I say. My words are weary. It’s been a long night. I’m surprised Ives is still up and not fussing to go to bed.

“Was the only thing I had to keep her busy. You two okay?”

Brady’s dark gaze studies my face like the answer to his question is right there on my face.

“Yes. No. I have no idea.”

“The only thing I know to be for certain is that fiery little woman of yours possibly loves this little girl more than she loves you.” Brades picks Ivy up when she crawls back with the ball in one tiny hand. He pops her on his hip and messes up her hair. “Time for bed, munchkin.”

The air that rushes from my chest doesn’t return.

Stunned, I absent-mindedly reach for Ivy as Brady hands her over.

“Don’t stay mad at her too long, bud. Time isn’t something you two have in endless supply, remember.”

Something in his expression saddens.

He sounds like a man speaking from experience, but I’ve never known Brady to have anything serious. Any one-nighters he’s had have been when he’s down and out and for reasons he never wants to talk about.

Something I always thought was a bad habit to keep. But who knows the secrets people hug close to their chests.

Apparently not me.

I didn’t see tonight ending this way.

Ivy rubs her eyes as her mouth pops with a yawn.

“Looks like bedtime. Thanks, Brades.”

“Sure. See you tomorrow.”

I head for the pickup, but when I round the front to make for the back door to put Ives in her seat, Riley is nowhere to be found.