Page 126 of Not Your Little Girl Anymore
I grip the back of my head. I can’t believe my aunt had a hand in my charges.
“Oh, please. You were going down the same path your father was whether wanted to admit it or not.”
My eyebrows shoot to my hairline, and it’s taking everything inside of me not to do what I’ve dreamed of… punch her in the face. But that isn’t me. I’m not a man who ever puts a hand on a woman, no matter the circumstances.
“Wow. OK. I’m glad that you think so little of me to believe that I’m my father. News-flash, Jules, I’m nothing like my fucking father.”
Little footsteps sound behind the door. Callie’s voice pierces through my ears as my heart dips low. “Auntie. I did it. I tied my shoe!” Her little hand pulls the door, her eyes falling on me. Her mouth opens with a wide smile. “Alec!” she shouts, pushing my aunt out of the way, her slightly wavy hair pulled into pigtails swaying as she runs toward me.
I crouch down to her level as she leaps into my arms, holding on tight.
“Honey,” Jules speaks worriedly. “Come back inside. This isn’t a safe matter.”
Callie rests her head on my shoulder. “How is it not safe? I’m always safe with Alec.”
My heart sinks further, and I smile proudly, holding onto my baby sister tight. All this time, I worried that Callie would think less of me because of Jules, but that didn’t change how she felt about me. Callie knows she’s protected and that I’ll never do anything to put her in harm’s way.
My aunt steps onto the porch, reaching to take Callie from my arms. Summer moves in front of us, so Jules can’t get to her. “Admit it, Jules.”
Jules shakes her head, looking over Summer’s shoulder. “Look, I didn’t do anything wrong. You can’t prove a single thing.”
“What’s going on?” Callie questions.
I lift her a bit higher, adjusting her in my arms. Callie’s grip around my neck tightens as if she doesn’t want me to let her go. “We’re just here to talk to Aunt Jules about being able to visit you more.”
Callie’s eyes brighten, and she looks at Jules, excitedly kicking her legs. “Is it true? Is it true?”
Jules is left speechless, slowly moving her head from side to side. “That’s not possible, Callie. I’m sorry.”
“It is possible, Callie,” Summer prods, looking at Callie before turning back to my aunt. “Jules, my father is in prison. The judge has my testimony and Alec’s testimony. Officer Allen Brentley also knows the ins and outs of this entire case. We have a physical recording of what my father has done, and going by how you’re ultimately shutting down is enough proof that you were in on the entire thing. Now, do I need to remind you what happens when that is brought up before a judge? You are at just as much fault as my father is, and well,” she shrugs, “look where that got him. One last thing…” She pulls her phone out of her back pocket. “I’m going to stop this recording now.”
“What is she talking about, Alec?” Callie asks me.
“Shh. It’ll be OK, I promise,” I say. Meanwhile, I watch as the color from Jules’s face drains even more.
“What is it that you want from me?” Jules worries.
“Drop the restraining order, or this gets leaked, and you join my father in jail.” Summer waves her phone around.
It takes a long while for Jules to register the threat. Her mouth opens but closes multiple times. Her eyes are unable to remain on us. They shift between us all as panic clouds over her. She’s never been good at hiding her feelings.
Finally, Jules sighs and throws off a dramatic eye roll. “Fine. I will file a motion tomorrow morning.”
The tension in my body releases. Relief whooshes through me, and I glance at Callie with a warm smile.
“Does that mean you fixed us?” Her little eyes light up again.
I laugh. My eyes become watery as I pull her head back against me and kiss the top of her little head. “It sure does, Pumpkin. It sure does.”
Chapter Forty-six
Summer
Alec and I take a stroll around the commons. My body was full of adrenaline while we were at his aunt’s house, and as soon as the high wore off, I felt more nauseated and stuck in my head.
My father’s expression in the courtroom keeps making an unwanted appearance in my head. It’s hard to brush it away. Harder than I thought it’d be. All I can think about is all the little laughs we shared and how he fixed each boo-boo I got.
But when reality sets in, I remind myself. People really do change.