Don't Call Me Daddy (Once Upon a Daddy)

by Kelli Callahan

  “This may hurt.” He pinches the piece of glass.

  “Go ahead.” I nod and close my eyes.

  I let out a gasp when he pulls it out of my hand. It feels a lot better once it’s gone, but when I open my eyes, I see that I’m bleeding even worse than before. Lawson moves my hand underneath the water which washes the blood away.

  “You shouldn’t need stitches, but I think you’re done cleaning for tonight.” He sighs. “Let me patch you up, and then you can get out of here. I’ll have someone else finish it tomorrow.”

  “I should be okay if you’ll just bandage it. I want to finish.” I grimace as he pours what appears to be hydrogen peroxide on my cut.

  Lawson doesn’t respond; he just grabs a piece of gauze and puts it on my cut. I look away and catch a glimpse of my face in the mirror. I look like a train wreck now. The tears I cried earlier made a mess of my zombie makeup. Oddly enough, I look even more hideous than I did when Sarah first put it on.

  “Alright, that should be good. You’ll probably need to change it again tomorrow.” He nods and takes a step back. “You really don’t have to keep going. It’s fine.”

  “Just give me a few minutes to get cleaned up, and I’ll get back to work.” I look down at my hand. “Thank you for this.”

  “No problem.” He leaves the break room and walks back to his office.

  Thank god I brought my purse with me. I pull out my compact and the mini bottle of makeup remover I always keep on me. My zombie makeup is just some cheap stuff from the Halloween store and isn’t designed to last longer than a few hours. I have to use a little makeup remover to loosen the clumped layers, but it comes off pretty easily once I start scrubbing. I look a little better once it’s all removed. I take a moment to touch up a couple blemishes, and then I walk back to Lawson’s office.

  “Wow, you’re not a zombie anymore.” Lawson chuckles when he sees me.

  “No, now I’m just a bloody cheerleader.” I can’t help but laugh.

  “Slightly better than the living dead.” He takes a drink and stands up. “If you really want to keep going, I’ll help you. It’ll get done faster if we work together.”

  “You don’t have to do that. I’m the one who trashed your office.” I shake my head to decline his offer.

  “You didn’t do it alone. No reason you should have to clean it up on your own either.” He walks around his desk and starts picking stuff up.

  I’ve made good progress, but with Lawson helping, it doesn’t take long for us to finish. I’m a bit slower with my hand wrapped in a bandage, so I’m thankful for the help.

  I can’t believe Sarah didn’t come back for me—didn’t even check on me. It was her idea to begin with, and she just left me to fend for myself.

  “I’m sure you’re about ready to go home.” I lean against his desk and sigh. “Sorry I kept you so long.”

  “Nah.” He walks over to the window and looks outside. “I’m not going anywhere tonight. I made too many trips to the bar…”

  “Oh, you just came up here to drink in peace.” I motion to the bottle of whiskey. “I certainly got in the way of those plans.”

  “It’s fine.” He pours himself another drink. “Want one before you go? It might help with the pain, unless you’re planning to drive yourself home.”

  “I’m not driving.” I look at his glass for a moment and consider it. “Sure, why not.”

  Lawson picks up a second glass and pours a drink for me. I’m glad we didn’t destroy those when we were ransacking his office. He sits in his chair and motions to the couch, so I walk over to take a seat.

  “Are you the boss here?” I tilt my head slightly and take a sip of my drink—it’s really strong. “You have to be, right? If you were the one who fired my friend’s dad…”

  “Nah.” He shakes his head. “I used to be, but not anymore. That’s a long story.”

  “This is a strong drink. It’s going to take me a while to get through it.” I shrug. “Unless you don’t want to talk about it.”

  “I can’t deny it’s an interesting story.” He scoffs, “Fine, I’m sure as fuck not going anywhere.”

  Lawson starts off telling me about his son, Hudson, and how he exhorted money from him. If that wasn’t enough to make my jaw drop, the rest of it makes my head spin harder than the whiskey I’m drinking; especially when he tells me about his best friend who is now his son-in-law and his boss. By the time he finishes his story, I’m done with my drink, and feel like I need another one more than ever before.

  “Wow, just…” I blink a couple of times as I continue to process what he said. “Wow!”

  “See, I have a good excuse for spending the night in my office with a bottle of whiskey.” He pours himself another drink.

  “I can’t see how anyone could judge you for it.” I lean forward and let him pour me another glass as well.

  “People judge me for plenty of shit.” He taps a cigarette out of his pack. “Maybe one day I’ll get used to it.”

  “Do we need to go outside?” I motion to his cigarette.

  “Nah, fuck it.” He reaches for his lighter. “It’s Friday night, and there won’t be anyone on this floor until Monday.”

  I reach for my purse and dig out my pack of cigarettes. I light one up and lean back against the couch, then I notice that Lawson has a perplexed look on his face.

  “You don’t need Superman’s heat vision this time?” He narrows his eyes.

  “Oh, well…” I grimace as I try to come up with an excuse that makes sense.

  “Was that just part of your plan?” He tilts his head inquisitively. “Not very smart telling me your name; unless your name isn’t really Ainsley Andrews.”

  “No, that really is my name.” I chew my bottom lip nervously.

  Screw it. It isn’t not like it will make a difference at this point. He’s already rejected me once. I like talking to him, but I doubt I’ll ever see him again after tonight.

  “I had no idea who you were when I approached you outside.” I take a quick drag from my cigarette. “I just wanted to talk to you…”

  “Why?” His head snaps back, and more confusion registers on his face.

  “I…” It takes me a second to gather my courage, but I finally do. “I thought you were really attractive and… I don’t know, it was stupid.”

  Well, so much for that. I got part of it out at least.

  “At least you got a chance to get a good look at me and see that I’m nothing special.” He sips his drink and laughs under his breath. “Besides, you’ve heard enough about my life to know that I’m a fucking mess; I’m sure you can do a whole lot better.”

  No, I liked you even better when I got a good look at you.

  Your life is really interesting.

  That doesn’t even begin to cover what I was hoping you’d do to me when you caught me in your office.

  I wish I could actually say all of that out loud instead of just think it…

  Chapter Six

  Lawson

  Ainsley intrigues me. I can’t deny that. She’s gorgeous, but there’s so much more. There’s a flicker in her beautiful emerald green eyes, a curiosity that makes me wish I could satisfy it. I don’t know why I didn’t just tell her to go instead of offering her a drink.

  Maybe I just didn’t want to be alone tonight, despite how much I thought I did. Or the liquor is playing tricks with my head. I don’t know. Misery does love company, and I get the impression that she’s seen her fair share of it, even if she hasn’t told me much about herself.

  Moths to the same flame maybe, but damn—she’s so young. I could tell that even before she took her zombie makeup off, but it’s really obvious now. I’m not even sure she’s old enough to be drinking the whiskey I poured her.

  “Why don’t you tell me about yourself, Ainsley Andrews?” I narrow my eyes. “If you’re staying long enough to finish that drink.”

  “This whiskey is too good to waste.” She looks down, and I see a hi
nt of a grin on the edge of her lips. “I wouldn’t say my life is that interesting. Certainly not as interesting as what you told me…”

  “That’s okay.” I lean back in my chair. “It’s better than silence.”

  “I’m from a small town called Cedar Grove. It’s not far from here, but you may not have even heard of it.” She lifts her head slightly. “Born and raised…”

  “Can’t say that I have.” I shrug.

  “Nothing interesting ever happens there, so I’m not surprised.” She laughs under her breath.

  “Must be a few interesting things.” I lean forward. “You mentioned that tonight wouldn’t be the first time you had been arrested. Unless you come to the city just to spend the night in jail.”

  “No, it was only once. A few days ago, actually.” She sighs. “I got caught trying to steal a Red Bull from a gas station.”

  “Theft and then vandalism. What’s next? Murder?” I can’t help but laugh. “Or will you try manslaughter first and work your way up?”

  “No.” She puts a hand over her mouth to suppress what appears to be a giggle. “I think I’m going to walk the straight and narrow from now on.”

  “How old are you anyway?” I tilt my head inquisitively.

  “Um, almost twenty…” She swallows hard, and I can see that she knows what I’m about to say next before I do.

  “If you’re going to walk the straight and narrow, you should probably put that drink down.” I motion to it.

  “I’ll start tomorrow.” She smiles and takes another sip.

  “Yeah, spoken like a true delinquent.” I reach for the bottle. “I’m having another one. You probably shouldn’t…”

  “I think you’re right.” She nods. “Where is your restroom?”

  “Down that dark hall.” I motion ahead. “You can see the light for it when you turn the corner.”

  “I’ll be back in a minute.” She puts down her drink and stands up.

  Damn. Going on twenty with a body like that. She would definitely make a grown man beg for a taste. The sight of her is almost enough to make me want to do it. Fuck—my daughter is older than she is. I hated Bram for what he did to Kiana, and I’m sitting here having the same fucking thoughts about someone else’s daughter.

  I need to bottle this shit up. It’s easy enough to be tempted by those pouty lips and gorgeous curves, but I’m a long way from being what she needs right now.

  Telling myself that doesn’t stop my cock from reacting to the sight of her when she returns; just her damn silhouette in the hallway forces me to take a drink so I can pull my gaze away.

  “I can go ahead and leave if you need to get some rest.” She motions to the couch.

  I should accept her offer, but I can’t make myself do it.

  “Nah, I’m going to be up for a while.” I shrug. “You can go if you want.”

  I’ll put the ball in her court.

  “I do need to finish my drink…” She smiles and sits down.

  “Right, because you can’t start walking the straight and narrow until tomorrow.” I chuckle and take another sip.

  “You say that like you don’t believe me.” She holds up her hand. “Trust me, almost getting hauled out of your office in handcuffs was enough to scare me straight.”

  “The handcuffs weren’t enough to scare you straight when they were actually on your wrists, so pardon me if I am not entirely convinced.” I shrug and take another sip of my whiskey.

  “It was different.” She sighs. “Besides, we already had this planned before that happened.”

  “Well, let’s hope you don’t have anything else planned.” I nod. “Otherwise, you’ll just have another excuse.”

  “No, I have to stop making those.” She sighs again. “Really, I’m not just saying that.”

  I detect honesty in what she’s saying, and I’m mostly just teasing her, but I seem to have touched a nerve. Ainsley begins to tell me more about her life in Cedar Grove—growing up with a single mother, always getting in trouble, and ruining things when they are going her way. I can relate to that, but I had a taste of how good it could truly be before I totally fucked everything up. It doesn’t sound like she’s even had the chance yet.

  “Self-reflection is a motherfucker.” I look down and nod.

  “I’ll drink to that.” She raises her glass.

  “We both can.” I lean forward to let my glass lightly tap hers before pulling it back to take a sip.

  My buzz is starting to return, but I can’t tell if it is because of the alcohol or the conversation. I’ve been lonely since my divorce—since I realized my family thought I was a huge pile of shit. I haven’t had anyone to talk to. Everyone just wants to forgive, forget, and move on, but it hasn’t been that easy for me.

  Now I’m not sure I want her to go. I wasn’t enjoying my downward spiral, but I didn’t know how to stop it. This one conversation isn’t going to save me from rock bottom. I’m just enjoying the company. Joy is such a strange emotion. Maybe it’s just nice to know there’s someone else out there who isn’t living a life filled with sunshine and rainbows.

  “That’s it for me. You were right, I should stop with this one.” Ainsley downs the last drop of her whiskey and puts the glass on my desk. “If I have another, I won’t even be able to walk to my hotel.”

  “How far is it?” I raise an eyebrow and feel a twinge of concern.

  “Not far. Just a few blocks.” She nods.

  “This part of the city isn’t bad but walking alone at night is never a good idea.” I look down and sigh. “I’ll go with you.”

  “Then you would be walking alone on the way back.” She gives me a side-eyed glance.

  “I can handle myself.” I chuckle under my breath.

  “Hopefully, I still have a hotel room.” She chews her bottom lip. “My friend may have just checked out and left…”

  “I do have a couch.” I motion to the one she’s sitting on.

  “Where will you sleep?” she asks.

  “I’ve slept on things that are much worse than the floor.” I shrug and pick up my glass. “After a few more of these, I won’t give a shit either way.”

  “Can I have another drink if I stay?” Her expression seems to lighten—almost as if the idea of staying the night is more exciting than returning to her hotel.

  “Sure, I’ll keep contributing to the delinquency of a minor.” I pick up the bottle and pour some whiskey into her glass.

  “Come on, I’m not a minor.” She shakes her head.

  No, you’re not. Not with a body like that.

  “Legally speaking...” I push the glass toward her.

  If I were a younger man, I’d probably make a move. I’d definitely make a couple of inappropriate comments to see how she’d respond. I wouldn’t be offering to sleep on the fucking floor, that’s for damn sure. I can’t push myself to do it, even with my buzz coming back. She’s old enough to be responsible for her own bad decisions, but I’ve made enough of them in my own life not to drag her into one she would regret in the morning.

  “Did you ever think you would walk in on someone trashing your office and end up letting them spend the night?” Her eyes flicker, and a grin spreads across her face.

  “Can’t say that I did.” I shake my head and chuckle.

  “Kind of fitting.” She tilts her head slightly. “Superman stopping crime…”

  “Superman versus The Zombie Cheerleader.” I nod. “I bet a few people would buy that comic book.”

  “The real question is whether or not Superman would let her clean up the mess or just drop her off at the police station?” Ainsley appears to be actually pondering the question.

  “I don’t know… He’s all about truth, justice, and the American way, right?” I shrug. “He’d probably just let the cops sort it out.”

  “Does truth, justice, and the American way apply to zombies, though?” Ainsley takes a sip of her drink.

  It’s clear she’s enjoying this theoretical
conversation, and it’s a lot better than the doom and gloom that clouded our earlier ones. I never thought all of the information Hudson used to rattle off about comic books would be useful, but it’s coming in handy.

  “Technically you weren’t really a zombie, though.” I narrow my eyes. “You were just a cheerleader wearing zombie makeup. Superman is still Superman, suit or not.”

  “Yeah, but Superman versus The Cheerleader doesn’t sound that good.” She laughs. “What’s he going to do? Send her to detention?”

  “Perhaps.” I nod. “Or just drop her off at the principal’s office and let him sort it out.”

  “I’ve been there enough to know how that would go.” She shrugs. “Let’s see—trashing your office, drinking, smoking…”

  “Obviously out of dress code,” I add.

  “Right, that too.” She laughs. “I’d get paddled for sure, and I doubt I’d be lucky enough to get detention. I’d probably get sent home for a few days.”

  “Which gives you plenty of time to plot your revenge.” I take a sip of my whiskey. “It’s sure to be a hit, so there would have to be a sequel.”

  “Exactly! It all comes full circle, and next time she’ll be ready for the Man of Steel to interrupt her plans.” She nods. “Kryptonite, right? Isn’t that your weakness?”

  I’m starting to think it’s sitting right in front of me, with emerald green eyes that look like they could do a whole lot more damage than Kryptonite.

  “You are correct.” I put down my glass. “I’ll be right back. The whiskey has finally made it to my bladder.”

  “I’ll be here…” She watches as I walk toward the door.

  Fuck. I feel so damn happy talking to her. I don’t even remember the last time I had a fun conversation and just cut up with someone. I was miserable long before the world decided to kick me in the balls. It doesn’t feel like I need to hide behind my proverbial mask with Ainsley. I get the impression this is the first time she’s taken hers off in a while too.

  Is this some kind of fucking sign? Do I just need to let go of my inhibitions and see what happens tonight?