Page 90 of The Addendum

I stretched, then stepped off the deck and began to run. I set a good pace, my legs pumping a steady rhythm on the road as I headed toward the beach. The sun was rising as I got to the sand, and for a moment, I stood in place, watching the burst of color as the rays cast their brilliance across the water, lighting the sand and sky around it. I let the peacefulness of the moment sink into my tired mind, clearing it of all my worries.

I wasn’t surprised to hear footsteps approaching, and I didn’t have to turn my head to know who it was. Maddox appeared by my elbow, my best friend joining me in the early morning light, ready to run, to talk, to do whatever I needed. He had been there every morning the past few days, and although we rarely spoke much, I appreciated his silent company and support.

“Morning,” he murmured.

“Hey,” I replied.

“I swear we have the most glorious sunrises on the earth around here.”

I nodded. “Pretty spectacular.”

I felt his gaze on me. “You sleep at all last night?”

“A few hours.”

“Hmm. You and Grace still on the outs?”

“So it would appear. I saw her yesterday. She was extremely polite.” I snorted. “I fucking hated it.”

She had been coming out of the Hub as Katy and I were heading in. Kylie was in front of her, excited to see us, babbling and opening her arms to be lifted up. I bent and scooped her high, kissing her chubby cheek. Gracie watched us, silent and stiff. I set Kylie down and met Gracie’s eyes.

“Hey,” I said gently. She looked tired and wan. Not happy and glowing the way she had the week before when she’d told us she was pregnant. The guilt tore at me, knowing that it was because of me.

“Hello,” she responded.

Katy made an impatient noise and lifted Kylie into her arms.

“How are you feeling?” I asked.

She tossed her hair. “Fine.”

I stepped closer. “I think we both know you’re lying, Gracie.”

Her eyes had narrowed. “Well, I guess I come by that honestly.” She plucked Kylie from Katy’s arms. “Come over later if you want, Mom. I have to go.”

She walked away, the pain of her anger slicing through me.

Katy took my hand. “I’ll talk to her.”

I shook my head. “Until she’s ready, nothing is going to change. She’s too much like me. But I hate seeing her upset. It’s not good for her or the baby.”

“I know,” she murmured.

I watched Gracie disappear around the corner, my heart aching from the fact that she never once stopped or turned around. It felt as if a piece of me was breaking.

The thought of that brief encounter made me restless, and I took off running. Maddox fell into step with me, and we headed toward the gate and the stretch of road leading into the complex. We ran in silence, turning after a while and heading back. The sun was higher in the sky, the houses mostly still asleep as we headed toward the Hub. Inside, we used the Nespresso machine and made a cup of coffee, sitting at the table.

“You need to fix this, Richard,” Maddox said after a moment.

“Tell me how. She refuses to talk to me. I can’t force her—she’s a grown woman.”

“She’s your daughter. Pull rank. Sit her down and make her listen.”

“Pull rank?” I repeated with a dry laugh.

“You’re her father. Exert your power and force her to see sense.”

I snorted. “Have you met Jaxson? If I tried to do anything, he’ll rearrange my face.”