Free Piecing Together Sydney (A Sydney West Novel Book 3) by Brittney Coon Page B

pictures on her phone and telling him the stories behind them all. Ellie stood against the wall by my surfboard, looking like the worried mom she was.
    “Here you go.” I gave her a cup.
    “Thanks.” She took a sip and wrinkled her nose at the taste. “Damn, you do know how to make a strong drink, girl.” I thought she’d regret it, but she kept drinking it like a dying person who’d just found water.
    I took in my coffee. It was heavenly and helped me deal with all the chaos going on in my home.
    “Come here, Syd. I want you to sit by me.” Kylie hit the spot next to her. I downed the rest of my drink and left the mug on the coffee table.
    “Hey…” I said lamely.
    Ellie shook her head and went upstairs, hopefully to check on Jason.
    “Dad, Sydney is amazing! She’s going to school to be a therapist.”
    Daniel chuckled. “I’m glad Jason found someone special, and with brains and beauty, what a lovely gift.”
    I smiled, unsure how I should take that. “Thanks.”
    “How’s my boy been?”
    I stared down at my hands in my lap. “Good. Jason is a computer nerd. He saves my ass when I get my laptop full of malware because I’m a fool with technology.”
    Daniel let out a loud, rough laugh. It kind of reminded me of Jason when something made him laugh until he couldn’t breathe. “That’s great! Both of you have good heads on your shoulders. I see a wonderful future for you both.”
    “You should come to the wedding!” Kylie said, bouncing up and down.
    His eyes shot to me. I froze but the look on my face must’ve showed my horror. Jason would have a field day if his father came to our wedding.
    “I don’t think I can, kitten.” He patted her arm. “But I’m staying in a hotel not too far from here for the next few days if—”
    “We can go to dinner and maybe—”
    Her mom cut in. “Kylie, I think it’s time to say good-bye. We need to go home soon and I think your…father…looks tired.” She gave Daniel a pointed look, telling him he’d had enough time with her baby girl.
    “But we were making plans!” Kylie’s eyes watered. She sniffed and grabbed my hand. “Sydney, please talk to Jason. Don’t let him ruin this.”
    Daniel stood. “Your mom’s right. I need to sleep, had a long trip. I’ll see you again soon, kitten. Here’s my card. I’m a real estate agent now. My cell number is on the back.” He handed Kylie a card. She held it to her chest like it was a precious gem.
    “And please let me know if I can ever…speak to Jason. I know I don’t deserve forgiveness, but I’d like to talk to him at least once.” He gave me a card too.
    “I’ll try,” I said quietly, unsure if I was being honest or not.
    Kylie gave her father a bone crushing hug, and he kissed the top of her head before going out the same door he entered and turned all our lives upside-down.
    Ellie rubbed her temples and moaned. “I have a headache. Kylie, let’s go home.”
    She wiped her tears with the back of her hand and stood up. Her pretty face was screwed up in anger. “Why are you against my daddy? He finally returned, and you all act like he’s some kind of monster.” She huffed and went into the kitchen.
    Ellie leaned over the couch and whispered. “Try to talk to Jason. I have no idea what’s going on in his head. He wouldn’t open the door or say a single word to me. I’m very worried.”
    I gave her a smile, but it was weak. More like one side of my mouth went up a touch. “I’ll try. I’d have no idea how to take this in if my father took off and then blew back into my life like this.” I thought my shitty father was bad enough doing drugs and turning our home into World War III. I had no way to know what it’d be like if that demon just vanished into thin air and then reappeared.
    “Thank you. And will you—”
    “I’ll call and update you.”
    She nodded, touching my shoulder. “Thank you, Sydney.”
    Kylie came out of the kitchen with her purse and a bottle of water.