Page 32 of Hollywood

“You want a pat on the back?” Kelly asked, unsympathetic. “Welcome to being a real parent.”

“No.” I scowled. “I’m saying that if I’m taking Ruby, I’m taking her for the full six months or however long Carrie needs. I’m giving her a proper home. I’m not handing her back in a week or two like a shirt that didn’t fit right. No exchanges. No returns. This is my daughter.”

Surprisingly, Kelly relaxed. “Glad to see you found your backbone.”

“For fuck’s sake?—”

“I agree,” she said, cutting me short. “Ruby doesn’t need to bounce around. I’ll be checking in to make sure she’s doing okay. Don’t think I won’t fight you if I need to.”

“I wouldn’t expect anything less.”

“Good. Then go be a dad. Try not to fuck it up.”

Ruby fell asleep in the car on the way home. Tex had installed the new car seat as promised. He’d left my car keys with Knight, along with a promise to say goodbye before he left.

I wasn’t holding my breath, though. Tex was good at running away. I couldn’t even be mad this time. I wasn’t sure I’d have made it through my first night with Ruby without him. The thought of facing the rest of the day and night on my own—just me and a grieving toddler—made me question my sanity.

Tex’s words had gotten into me and taken root. Convinced me I could do this. Could be the father Rubyneeded. But it was more intimidating without him standing beside me.

I pulled into a parking space in front of the small fourplex where I lived. The building was unremarkable, looking more like a bank than an apartment building. It was two floors—with the basement housing laundry—with two units on each floor. I was on the ground floor, which I was sure Tex was happy about when he was hauling in Ruby’s bed.

I got out of the car and unbuckled Ruby. I expected her to wake up, but she was deadweight as I pulled her up to my chest. Her head flopped onto my shoulder and she let out a little whimper before settling.

Poor baby.

Seeing her mom, only to have to leave again, had taken a toll. It must have been so confusing.

Hopefully, future visits to Carrie would go better. Once Ruby adjusted to the separation and understood she’d get to see her mom again, it would surely get easier.

Georgia had insisted on dragging out the visit, which didn’t help. By the time I got Ruby out of there, we were both ragged around the edges.

I laid Ruby in her bed, mentally crossing my fingers and toes that she wouldn’t wake up. She snuggled into her blanket and rolled over. I stood watch until I was certain she’d continue to sleep, then slipped into my bedroom.

I left the door open so I would hear her if she woke up, making a mental note to get one of those baby monitors. Then I pulled out my phone and texted Tex in case I didn’t see him again.

Knight said you left. Thanks for last night.

I stared at the message. In different circumstances, I could be thanking him for a very different kind of night. If onlyhe hadn’t run from it. Maybe if I hadn’t rushed him by kissing him that day, everything would be different.

Well, it didn’t matter, did it? I had more important concerns now.

I thumbed through my contacts until I found the barbershop number. I’d called in this morning, but I needed to update Clint on my plans.

The line rang twice.

“River Town Barber,” Clint’s gruff voice answered.

“It’s Hendrix.”

“Well, hello, son. How are you holding up? You must have your hands full.”

“A little,” I said with a small chuckle. “I’m sorry about all this.”

“Hey now, none of that. We can’t choose the punches the world deals out. We just have to take it on the chin and do our best to keep going.”

“Yeah. That’s true.” I gave him the update on Carrie’s recovery timeline. “I’m still trying to figure out all the logistics. I need to find a day care or something, but I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

“Take your time. We’re not going anywhere. I can handle the shop for a few days.”