No Shame (Book 2 - No Regrets)

Chapter Forty-Four - The Silence that Came

DOMINICK'S POV

The three of us sat in the living room until late into the night, sharing stories and laughter over pizza that got colder and drinks that got warmer by each passing hour. I went to bed after midnight but Linkon and Tyde remained, talking through the night and into the early hours of the morning. Out of the two of them, Linkon was the only one awake when ten o'clock rolled around, making him the only one to accompany me to pick up Mollie from Aria's apartment.

At the start of the drive, I called Katie again and the phone rang until the call rolled over to her voicemail, again. I apologized to her again and asked if she might want to come over sometime this weekend as there was something, or more someone, who I am sure she would be happy to see. "Just call or text me. Bye." I say hanging up the call. I let out a sigh and keep one hand on the steering wheel as the car cruises along. "I really do hope Katie won't hold a grudge for too much longer." I say.

"Never thought K-Tie as the type of hold grudges." Linkon says. "Hold on to resentment, sure, she is human. I don't know about a grudge though, and I am certain the silent treatment wouldn't be her way."

"She's different than she used to be. She joined the basketball team, got a boyfriend, and.." I trail off.

"And?" Linkon presses.

"Nothing, she's just changed."

Linkon chuckles a bit, "Haven't we all?" He lets out a yawn and rests his head back against the headrest. "I'll talk with her later, if she comes over. After all we both know she likes me way more than she likes you." He jokes.

I roll my eyes, "We definitely know your sister likes me better than you." I tease back.

Linkon wiggles his finger at me, "Touché."

When we are ten minutes away from Aria's apartment, I give Linkon my phone to send Aria a message letting her know I'm almost there, to give her a head start of getting Mollie ready to go. Anyone with a toddler knows how hard and time-consuming it can be to get them ready and out the door. Sometimes she sees my message and sometimes she doesn't. When we arrive in front of Aria's apartment building and are parked, Linkon moves to sit in the back to surprise Mollie when she comes out.

Aria hasn't replied to my message. I send her another text letting her know I'm walking up to the door. The front door to the apartment opens before I'm even halfway to the front door from where the car is parked. Seth steps out holding Mollie's bag in one hand and Mollie's hand in the other.

"Daddy!" Mollie exclaims running to me with open arms. I squat down and scoop her up, greet her by tickling her neck and cheeks with my beard stubble as I cover them with kisses, she squeals out with laughter.

"Hello." I greet her happily when I stop. "Did you miss me?" I ask setting her down. "Did you behave good?"

"Yes." Mollie says nodding her head. She takes my hand and does her best to pull me to the car.

"Hold on." I say amused. "Let me get your bag first."

I turn my attention to Seth, he hands me her bag. "Did she behave for you two?" I ask.

"Of course, she did." Seth says smiling at her. "She's honestly a joy."

"Thank you, I like to think so too." I say, Mollie is still pulling on my hand with all her strength. I chuckle, "I better get this one home. Thank you again and pass my appreciation to Aria."

"Will do. Drive safe." Seth says walking back into the apartment.

"Okay, let's get the car. There's a surprise." I say to Mollie. We walk down the sidewalk over to the car. Mollie runs over to the side where her car seat is and pulls open the door.