"You just cussed."
"You said you're not a baby, and you're right. I'm done coddling you. You'll start pulling your weight more around here, especially if you don't lose this new attitude."
"I'm sorry, Daddy," she says, using the term she knows is sure to melt my heart, and only uses when she wants something. Or to get out of something.
"You're still getting extra chores."
"I know," she says with a sigh. "Do you think Audrey's in trouble because I told them you kissed?"
"Maybe."
"You like her more than Mom, don't you?"
"Jeanne, I like almost everyone on the planet more than I like your mom. I'm grateful to her, because I wouldn't have you otherwise, but I haven't liked-or loved-her for a very long time."
"She told me she still loves you."
That's even bigger bullshit than what Jeanne said earlier. I have to be diplomatic for my kid, though. "I can't help how she feels. Hopefully she'll find someone else, and move on."
"There's no chance you'd get back together with her?"
"None."
I mean that with my whole heart, especially since she was too "busy" to come and check on Jeanne, even after I told her she'd almost been kidnapped again. I don't know if she just doesn't care about our daughter, if she thinks her waning career is too important, or what. But I could never be with someone who didn't put their own child first. It didn't work out the first time, and I'm not even going to try again.
"That's not your color," Audrey tells me with a wink, as she walks into the closet.
I look down and see that I'm holding a peach dress in front of me. "Really, I think it brings out the color in my eyes."
"You're so embarrassing, Dad."
"What? It's only Audrey." Her face falls, and I want to bang my head against the closest wall.
"Anyway. I was hoping you'd be up for a Girls' Night, Jeanne. The Griffin wives host one every month, and sometimes us Society girls get together with them, too. Reina, Isa, Ainsley, Darcy, and Faith are in if you are."
"They don't hate me after the things I said at dinner?"
"What? No. We've all been teenagers. We understand the angst. Especially after the day you've had. I'd say some more ice cream and chick flicks are in order. Along with nail painting and frozen bras of course."
"Do I get to freeze your bra, Audrey?"
"That would be a ‘hell no' Blake."
"Can't blame a guy for trying."
"So, what do you say?" she asks Jeanne, pointedly ignoring me.
I think I just struck out, and it's only been two days. I was hoping for a home run, and I'm not ready to throw down the bat yet. "Jeanne, why don't you go help Audrey's friends grab snacks while I talk to her for a minute?"
"Oh-kay. Don't be making out when we get back, please. I'll be loud, but still."
"There's no chance of that, Jeanne, so you can be as quiet as a mouse."
"Make noise, Jeanne."
"I'm going now, because this is really awkward. Bye!"
"What did you want to talk about, Blake?" Audrey asks once Jeanne is gone.
"I didn't mean it like you think I did."
"Mean what?"
"You know damn well what I'm talking about, and I only meant that you wouldn't care if we acted goofy around you."
"Okay."
"Okay, we're good? Or okay, you're just saying that to try and shut me up?"
"We're good."
I walk over and pull her into my arms. "How about you and Reina?"
"We're good, too. She just worries about me. I'm like an older sister to her."
"I thought older sisters were supposed to worry about younger sisters," I say, kissing her cheek.
"It goes both ways."
I place my fingers on her jaw to turn her face the way I want it, and see her wince. "What's wrong?"
"I took a hard hit earlier."
Oh my God. I knew they got Jeanne away from those guys, but I didn't even think about how they did it. "Where?"
"My jaw. It's fine. It's going to look pretty ugly tomorrow, though."
"You were fighting to save my daughter. Nothing about that is ugly," I tell her as I feather kisses all over her jaw.
She moves and then we're full on kissing. She's got my t-shirt clutched in her hands, and I'm playing with the next button on her jumpsuit. I just get it popped when we're interrupted. Jeanne doesn't yell, but she's not quiet, either. It doesn't really matter since either of them would have the same effect-I have to go back to my room alone.
"Tomorrow night?"
"Maybe."
"That's better than no."
"It is."
"Dad. Your time with Audrey is up. Go hang out with the men. They're in your man cave."
"Yes, ma'am," I tell her with a salute, before kissing the top of her head.
I grab Audrey for one last kiss, and then head out to the pool house, also known as my man cave. Beer and foosball will be fun; although, I know it won't compare to a night with Audrey. I've waited twenty years for that, and while I won't wait twenty more, I can be patient. For maybe another 24 hours or so.
Audrey
"I've got your pajamas, Aud," Stella tells me, handing me a bag.
I'd filled her in on my plan while we were shopping, so she could get us all something to wear tonight. Everyone has on a cute t-shirt and shorts combo, and I'm expecting the same. That's not what's in the bag, though.
"Stella, where are my pajamas?" I ask, looking at the piece of silk in the bag.
"Oh, they were out, so I got you something different."
"There were no regular pajama sets anywhere in that mall?"
"Pleading the fifth."
"I'll just stay in my jumpsuit, I guess."
"You can't, Audrey. This is my first slumber party," Jeanne tells me.
"What Stella got me isn't something I would wear to a slumber party."
"Unless it was an 80s movie, or a porno," Darcy says with a laugh.
"Those two are not interchangeable little girl," I tell her, shaking my head as she sticks her tongue out at me.
"It's just us girls, and it can't be that bad," Reina says. "Just put it on."
"Okay, Boss, but I warned you."
I go into the bathroom and slip on the pink pin striped sleep shirt. It's shorter in front than back, and I'll have to be careful to not flash my friends too much. Yes, they've seen me in my panties before, and naked too, but I try to keep my lingerie to myself. I straighten the thing one more time, and then walk out.
"You look pretty, Audrey," Jeanne says. "I want a nightgown like that, too."
"Thanks, Jeanne. I'm sure Stella can get you one."
"I can. Now let's get started. What are we doing first?"
We decide to do our hair and nails first, and then watch the movies while we eat the junk food. Darcy puts on some music, and we get started. I'm painting Jeanne's nails while I ask her about the guy at the mall.
"Was that Roger at the mall?"
"Yeah."
"And?"
"He's a jerk. Thank you for showing me that."
"That wasn't what I wanted. He was just being a … jerk, and he needed to be put in his place."
"My mom would've probably flirted with him," she says, biting her lip.
"Well, I'm definitely not Misha."
"No, you're not. I like you a lot, Audrey. I know we've only known each other for a few days, but I do."
"I like you, too, Mija."
"I didn't expect you. Any of you."
That's a weird statement, so I press her a little. "Expect us?"
"I mean, I never thought I would meet cool, smart, and beautiful girls."
"You're cool, smart, and beautiful."
"My dad's the only one who has ever said that before."
"He has his good moments."
"Are you going to be his girlfriend for real?"
"I don't know. How would you feel about that?"
"I don't know," she says, and we both laugh.
"Seriously, though, if it bothers you, you need to tell me. Your feelings are important to me."
She bursts into tears, and I put down the nail polish to gather her into my arms. "Why doesn't my mom feel this way? Why doesn't she care?"
"I'm sure she cares, just in her own way." Actually, I'm sure her mother is a self-centered bitch, but she doesn't need to hear that right now.
"Hey, what's going on over here? It usually takes Audrey at least a week to make someone cry. Usually it's because we can't read her handwriting-or understand all the chemistry notes mixed in with the words-and not while she's painting our nails. Did she mess up that badly?" Stella asks with a laugh.
"No. They're perfect. Audrey's perfect."
"I wouldn't go that far," I say, as I swat my hand at Stella.
"I would," Reina tells me, as she comes up and gives me a hug from behind. "I wouldn't be doing what I'm doing without your help, Aud, and we both know it."