If Walls Could Talk

Twenty-Seven

"I cannot believe you're actually coming home with us for a week, Skye." Asher shakes her shoulders from where he sits behind her in the rental car Calum had insisted she get for her week home.

"I know. It's surreal to be driving back to Moab for a few days." She laughs.

"Hey, what was Brit talking about with your boss last night? Pictures of you guys at the airport? Is it a bad thing?" Bryce asks, his tone seeming to indicate his mind is fully occupied by the thought.

"I haven't looked yet. But I'm assuming people saw him drop me off and took pictures because they can't let anyone have any privacy ever."

"By why follow him like that? He was dropping his employee off at the airport, big deal."

"It wouldn't seem like a big deal. But he only told his fans about having a daughter a week or so ago, so everything he does right now is a big deal. He doesn't like his private life being in the public eye, so he tries to keep it discreet. His daughter becoming public knowledge, and then if they really did catch him kissing me goodbye, it will be a huge deal to the fans."

"Why can't they just mind their own business and leave his alone?" Mom scoffs.

"Your guess is as good as mine in that regard, mama. I wish they would. And I haven't even dealt with them yet really, just observed their toxic behaviors online."

"Well please ignore any stupid shit they say to you or about you, Skye. You are amazing and you need to not forget that." Asher comments sincerely.

"Thanks, Ash. They don't realize who they are dealing with though, remember that. I've dealt with hell and more, I can handle toxic teenagers. And I've got the best brothers out there to help me if I start to slip."

"I'll beat up anyone who wants to hurt my big sis. Don't worry about that." Bryce agrees with a laugh.

"Thanks, B."

"Why don't you tell us a little bit about this boyfriend of yours, Skye? We don't know anything." Her mom shifts in the passenger seat to grin at her.

"Oh, Um. Actually I'm not sure if we have defined it yet. I don't know if I can call him my boyfriend or not." She laughs, "but his name is Calum. He's in a band. He has one daughter, and he actually doesn't know who her mom is. She was anonymously left at a hospital at two days old with his contact info. The DNA test confirmed he was her dad, so he took her home and has been raising her since."

"Does he actually raise her, or do you raise her and he's around sometimes when work permits?" Mom asks.

"No. He is a great dad. He tries to be home before she goes to bed at night so he can spend time with her, and anytime he has off from work he wants to spend with her. He takes her with on any trip longer than a couple days so he can stay close to her. He is raising her, I am around to help when he is busy."

"Wow. Wonder what it's like to have a dad like that?" Bryce mumbles.

"I remind Nika constantly how lucky she is to have a dad who loves her so much. But it's not that different from us, B. She has a dad, but she doesn't have a mom. At all."

"Ya, but I feel like growing up without her mom since day one has to be better than watching your dad walk out of your life." Asher sighs.

"Maybe, but it's still growing up with a single parent. And that's got its own struggles no matter how you end up in the situation."

"Okay, he's a good dad." Mom suddenly changes the subject, "How is he to you? Does he treat you right, Skye?"

"He treats me—" she pauses trying to find the right words, "better than any man ever has. By a long shot. He treats me like an equal not lesser, even in work situations. He never demands things of me, and he's always getting worried he's being too strict or controlling with his rules or whatever for Nika's care. He listens when I've needed to talk, or when I've needed to vent. He picks up on my emotions, which is new to me, but it makes me feel cared for that he does. It's good. He's good. Don't worry about that, mama."