Ditched Cheating Alpha, I Led My Daughter to Life's Peak novel Chapter 74

Brittany gives me a death glare.

I shrug. I don't know nothing. I'm not getting into this.

Krys looks at me, shocked. "You guys were talking about me?" She smacks her own chest shocked. She looks at Brittany. "My own imprint, stabbing me in the back?"

"Of course not," Brittany says quickly.

It's time to come clean. It was my own mistake anyway. I'll just put Brittany out of her misery and blame the whole confusion on myself. "I just thought you guys were dating."

Krys face lights up like a Christmas tree. "No! Why would you think that? Did..." She looks at Brittany. "Did you tell her we were?"

Brittany shakes her head. "No. We're just best friends of course." She looks at her from the corner of her eyes. "I mean, did you want me to say that?"

"No, no, of course not. We're not like that, so why would you say that. Dating? What?" Krys looks away, laughing nervously. "I mean unless."

I shake my head. This is ridiculous, just say you like each other already and let's go home.

I walk into the kitchen, and I see everyone already seated for dinner. Charlie's the first to see me, "Mia's home." He flies from his chair and towards my legs.

I smile, crouch down, and hug him. "Hey, Charmander. How are you?"

"I missed you," he cries. "You didn't play with me today. Or yesterday."

I smile, softly. "I know, but I'll play with you... tomorrow?" Do I even have time tomorrow?

"After dinner," he smiles.

I sigh. "Tomorrow, Charlie. Maybe. If I have time."

His eyes start watering up. "But we didn't finish the rocket ship yet?"

I'm so tired. I rub his head and look up at the family for support. They give me disappointed looks like housewives who have been waiting all day for their absentee husbands to show up. Well sorry I've been trying to keep you guys alive.

I stare horrified as Charlie's waterworks begin. "You don't want to finish the rocket ship with me like Megan said? You're too old to like playing with me anymore?"

"Of course I love playing with you. I'll never be too old." I hold him close, glaring at Megan. Thanks a lot.

She glares at me.

Charlie pulls away and collapses on his chair. "Who are you? You're not my Mia."

It's like a dagger to my heart.

Michael gives me a side eye and pulls him into his arms. "Don't worry Char. I'll finish your spaceship with you." He gives me a dirty look over Charlie's head.

Charlie screams, "It's a rocket ship. Mia knows that."

Now it's Megan's turn to comfort Michael.

"How could he say that to me?" Michael cries in Megan's arms with Charlie still in his grasp.

"He didn't mean it," Megan rubs his back. "It's all her fault."

No one says anything. Everybody looks at each other. My mother places a hand over her heart. "Oh, thank god."

"This is good news," my father claps Michael on the back. "Good. News."

Michael returns the favor and they chuckle merrily amongst themselves.

"I told you guys one more week," my mom says, shaking her head. "It's a good thing too. More money for us." She smiles at Charlie.

He still looks as grumpy as ever.

"I'll make Mia hangout with you. Don't worry."

He smiles wide at her promise.

"You don't need to do that, Mom," I say.

"Oh, but I do apparently." She pats Charlie's head. "What do you say to that, bud? Time to collect?"

He grins and holds his hands out.

Michael hands him five bucks. Dad and Megan follow.

"Excuse me," I scream at all of them. "What is this?"

Charlie pushes his cup away, giving it a nasty look. "No more water. Orange juice on me tonight boys!" He throws his money up.