Last Friday Night (ManxMan) ✔️

Chapter 30

"Eggs, bacon, bologna sandwich . . . " Hunter muttered, counting off the items from memory. "Did I put in the apple slices?"

"Yes!" Melodie popped up behind the taller man, holding the ziplocked bag in a small hand. "Thank you."

When Melodie spoke, Hunter heard a small lisp. She'd lost a tooth last month, giving her the cutest gap in her smile and a lisp with most words. River had told him after she went to sleep one night that she was insecure about it, so Hunter tried to compliment her on the smile whenever he could.

Hunter slid her a plate and Melodie did her best to chew the bacon with her back teeth.

"Eat quick kiddo," Hunter said, sipping some coffee. "I don't want to bring you late. Again."

The last time he did was over a month ago, but he never forgot how nervous River was to receive the phone call from the school later that afternoon. From what he understood, they could be a lot tougher on single parents, so River constantly had a lot to prove.

Melodie finished her food in record time and they piled into the car. Hunter had gotten used to the routine of taking Melodie to school. These days, he and River rotated the responsibilities. Ever since they became official boyfriends half a year ago, it was easier for Hunter to take charge when it came to Melodie. His condo was barely used these days since he spent most nights at River's. That way, no matter how long they worked, they could spend some time together. And, Hunter would always be available to take Melodie early in the morning.

Hunter tried to strike the balance between racing her to school and driving like a respectable role-model. The two tasks were in direct opposition this morning.

"Umm . . . "

"What is it?" Hunter asked, sending a glance to the backseat. Melodie was twiddling her thumbs, a complex expression on her young face.

"Do I draw bad?"

Hunter's eyes flashed up to the rearview, catching the little girl's anxious stare.

"What? Of course not. I love your drawings."

She was no professional, but Hunter actually recognized what she was drawing. Compared to what her friends did, it looked like picasso. His answer didn't seem to satisfy her, and she kept wringing her tiny hands.

"When Ms. Gabby puts our drawings up, everyone says my drawing's the best. But yesterday, Tommy said it was ugly."

"That was mean of Tommy."

"But he's my friend."

Hunter bit down a scoff. So what if he was her friend? At 7 years old, friends probably meant that they played tag together and only hit each other sometimes. But babysitting her might not qualify him for moral advice. In the end, Hunter settled on something simple.

"Sometimes, friends are mean too," he explained. As he switched lanes, Hunter thought of a change in tactics. "Did you think it was a good drawing?"

"Yeah!" she replied, tilting her head like thinking otherwise was out of the question. Hunter fought down a smile.

"Then ignore him. Hang out with your other friends."

Words he thought would have ended the discussion left River's daughter with a troubled expression. Ignoring Tommy wasn't enough of a solution for her. Hunter groaned under his breath. This was definitely above his skill level. Still, sending her off to school looking so dejected was out of the question.

He quickly tried to think from Nia's perspective. What would Melodie's mother have done?

"And if he keeps bothering you, tell your teacher."