The Ties That Bind Us: (The Ties Duet Part One) Danda K. (dark academia books to read TXT) 📖

But, this one’s different. This list isn’t about the things I need to do for myself. It’s about the things I need to do for Cameron and my daughter. My daughter. Holy shit.

I look down at what I have written on the small notepad.

-Different job  

-Bigger apartment  

-Call Abe about custody

-Christmas shopping  

I’ll start with the last thing on my list, spending this week Christmas shopping for both my girls.

For my daughter, who I already adore enough for fifty lifetimes, and Nyx, the most selfless woman I’ve ever met, the one I’m head over heels in love with.

◆◆◆

“You can definitely talk him down, Jax. Especially since you’re going for a base model,” Morgan whispers to me as we sit at the salesman’s desk in the dealership.

I know this already, but I let him do his thing. He obsesses over numbers, which is probably why he went into accounting. It does come in handy, though, like right now when I need his budgeting expertise.

I won’t go higher than two-hundred a month for a car. Especially if I’m sticking with a sedan instead of giving in to the itch to get a truck. I wanna save as much as I can now until I get a good job and can afford a bit more a month.

When the car salesman returns, we go back and forth a bit, and I settle on the newest Hyundai Sonata in metallic black. It’ll take about a week to get it, but the weather’s still decent enough for my bike, and any day I need to do something with Emersyn, I can always use Sayeed’s truck.

On the drive back to my house, I get an email notification from Abe confirming he got the signed custody agreement from Gelissa.

She gave me the exact terms I asked for, which is a relief. It also states I’ll have child support payments deducted from my checks accordingly, which is another reason I need to find another job.

I filled out an online application for a construction company, so with some luck, they’ll call me for an interview.

My silent prayer gets interrupted by Morgan, who’s still rambling on about this same mystery girl that’s driving him crazy. Although now she has a real number, and her name’s Emily.

“Dude, one minute she calls me to tell me she wants to see me, then an hour later she’s canceling saying she already made plans with friends. I don’t fuckin’ get it. Any other girl I would’ve peaced out quick and lined up the next warm body to bury my dick in. But there’s something about this chick. I don’t know, maybe it’s the fucking chase.”

He shrugs before looking over his shoulder to switch lanes.

“Dude, girls are complicated as fuck. I’m still trying to figure mine out.”

He lights up a cigarette and opens the window to the car to let the smoke out. “Ain’t that the fuckin’ truth.”

“So, how long are we doin’ this?” I point my chin towards the Marlboro Light hanging from his mouth.

“I don’t know, man. It keeps my head in check. I’m all over the place these fucking days. Between my parents, work, this girl...” He inhales again and blows the smoke out the window. “I’m workin’ on it, though.”

I nod my head in understanding and turn to stare out the window again, rolling down the window to avoid the stench.

By the time Morgan drops me off, Cameron’s already heading out for her shift at the bookstore. We exchange the details of our day as she ties up her boots to get ready to leave.

Giving me a quick peck on the lips, she heads out, closing the door behind her.

I eye the toys all around the house, still not fully believing I’m a father. The first night two weeks ago was rough, but Emersyn has been as happy as can be since then. She tries to join us in bed sometimes when she spends the night, but I’m afraid if I let her, it’ll become a habit. On those nights, I sleep on the floor in her room.

I head to the kitchen to make myself a cup of coffee when my phone rings. It’s Gelissa, so I swipe to answer it.

“I need you to take Emersyn tonight. I have another job interview.” I huff out an exasperated breath, not because I don’t want my daughter, but because I know she’s lying. I’m starting to feel like she’s using me as her own personal babysitter.

And, yeah, I love that I get to spend more time with Emersyn, but it bothers me how quick she is to hand her off just so she can go out and party with her cousin.

“Okay, but you need to drop her off.”

Without hesitation, she responds, “I’m on my way.”

Around twenty minutes later, the doorbell rings, and Gelissa walks into the house without any invitation and drops Emersyn’s bags on the floor. The baby runs off and heads straight for the toy bin I put in the living room for her.

“So what job is this that you’re applying for, Gelissa, a professional con artist?” She gives me a sarcastic ha-ha face.

“If you need to know, it’s as a server in a very upscale private club for men.”

I scoff. “So a strip club?”

She gives me the finger. “It’s a gentleman’s club. It’s classier than a strip club, and I won’t be stripping, just serving drinks, so save your judgment, Jaxon. Not everyone has the luxury of working in a gas station.”

A low cackle escapes my lips, and I shake my head, knowing she’s so full of shit. She’s going out.

I hear the jingle of keys in the door before it opens, and Cameron walks in. She stops dead in her tracks and looks between me and Gelissa, an eyebrow raised in confusion.

Thirty-nine

Cameron

Well, this is awkward.

I had no idea Emersyn was staying with Jaxon tonight. Not that I mind her, it’s the Medusa with the red hair who’s