Nothing Better Than Us.

22

"Wait! So, McKenzie is your biological daughter who thinks she's your niece? And when you couldn't protect Riley during the times that you started developing feelings for her, you jumped off a bridge after she told you to go kill yourself?" I watched as Candice was pacing back and front in front of me. She had pulled her hair into a ponytail by the time I got halfway through the story. "Wait! And you haven't seen Riley for two years now because she is avoiding you but you get to see McKenzie so how?" She finally stopped in front of me.

"Riley told me that since I live this big shot life then I can arrange different ways to get my daughter without seeing her so no I haven't seen this woman for two years. And no, she doesn't come to family gatherings because she hates her mom...she probably hates me too" I covered my face with my hands and laid on the couch.

"I would hate my mother too...Well too late I already do" Candice laughed and I moved my hands to look at her. "Sorry, mothers can be traumatizing too. But didn't your sleepwalking start after the car accident with your mother?" I roll my eyes at Candice.

"But I don't hate my mother and I doubt my mother would care who I fell in love with. I honestly doubt my father cares but he has always been an supporting husband. Anyways, I wasn't kind to Riley in the start because I didn't want to accept my feelings and I know what the relation was between us but that didn't stop me from acting them out. She was probably scared as fuck, the first time it happened but she said nothing to me"

The more I thought about it; my involvement with Riley ended up hurting more people than just us. I hated that our parents couldn't accept it and I hated myself for not just dragging her with me but didn't I do that throughout our relationship! Heck, I was the reason Mason and Riley broke up plus I didn't want her dating anyone else. So how was I suppose to dictate her life any further? Look at the asshole I am.

"Are you over there feeling sad for yourself?" I glanced at Candice who was just standing there looking at me. "Crap happens! We are all messed up in some way but I don't like the idea that you have a little girl and she thinks you're her uncle. Hell no". Candice folds her arms and looked at me with one of her eye brows raised. "As your friend...."

Oh no! I know that look...

"No! Whatever you are thinking. No..."

***

"Hey! What are you thinking about?" Candice snapped her fingers infront of my face. I rubbed my eyes as I looked around at where we were. "Its almost time for Kenny to go to school. Or you doing this or did we fly here for you to run away again" Candice popped some peanut into her mouth. I shook my head as I looked at Candice.

"Why did I let you convince me to do this? What if she calls the police or throws a frying pan at me?" I rubbed my hands together and looked around.

We were sitting in the back of an SUV in front of Riley's home address. From what I saw on google maps, it was a small 2-bedroom, 1 bathroom apartment. The apartments were close to each other. I couldn't even say which car was hers. I honestly knew nothing about how Riley was living because she didn't care to chare anything about herself but I knew every step Kenny made. I am just extremely grateful that she didn't keep our little girl away from me but I was a terrible father who only provided money for my child.

"Maybe, we shouldn't disturb her peace today" I looked at Candice. "What if she's happy living her best life without me? I dont want...."

"Get out the car or I am gonna get out and get her myself" Candice smiled at me. I sighed before opening the car door. I took a deep breath and stepped out the car. I adjusted my coat and my baseball hat as I looked up at the building. I took a deep breath as I looked at Candice who held out this gift bag towards me. "A small gift. So, don't chicken out now Mr. NFL" I took the bag and closed the car door.