Page 75 of August 20

Maverick nodded. "I knew your mom."

Brooke cringed, knowing how much talking about her mom upset her niece.

Skye chewed without acknowledging what Maverick had told her. Brooke caught his gaze and nodded, letting him know to keep going. Skye listened, even if she wasn't looking at him anymore.

Maverick cupped his throat, looked away, and then focused on Skye. "Baby girl?"

Skye's head popped up, and she stared at Maverick. Brooke held her breath. Was there recognition in hearing the endearment?

"I'm your dad." Maverick's voice broke, and he cleared his throat. "I was gone for a bit when you lost your mom, but I promise—" He coughed. "I'm not—" He grunted, grabbing his throat. "I’m not leaving again."

He stood, bending over and coughing violently. Hurting for him, Brooke rubbed Skye's back while he got his pain under control.

Her niece acted as if she hadn't heard him. Maverick could've told her it was time for dinner and got more of a reaction from his daughter.

Maverick thrust his hair off his face and cleared his throat in short, hard bursts. Having seen him many times struggle with the damage in his throat, she knew there was nothing she could do. No amount of water or deep breaths would stop the spasms he suffered from.

Skye put her juice box on the coffee table. "I want nuggets."

Brooke wanted to grab her niece and force her to acknowledge what Maverick had told her, but she had to remind herself that Skye was eight. Her memories only went back so far. It was unfortunate that Maverick wouldn't receive the reunion he deserved.

But for how much Skye could hide her feelings, Brooke knew deep in her heart that her niece was overjoyed to have her father in her life.

At least she would be when she had time to understand what happened tonight.

Maverick continued to cough and wagged his finger at Brooke. She blew her breath, not understanding what he wanted her to do.

"Aunt Brooke—"

"Hang on, honey. Maverick has more to say." She rubbed Skye's back.

He returned to the coffee table, moved the juice box, and sat in front of them. Then, he grabbed Brooke's and Skye's hands, putting them inside his grasp. Brooke swallowed the lump of emotions rushing to the surface. For how rough and gruff and non-communitive he was, he had many emotions he struggled to deal with.

"Family." He held up their hands to his lips. "Family must stay together."

Relief swept through Brooke. She blinked away her tears. She needed to hear that as much as Skye would one day look back and be glad she had a family.

Maverick coughed and let go of them. She caught his wrist and squeezed it before he moved away to calm his throat.

"Aunt Brooke?" Skye yawned. "I'm hungry."

"Okay." She kissed Skye's forehead. "I'll put some nuggets in the oven because tonight is special."

Skye glanced at Maverick and then followed Brooke into the kitchen.

Brooke kept an eye on father and daughter. Tonight was hard. Tomorrow will be easier.

Chapter Thirty Seven

The alarm on Brooke's phone beeped. She swiped off the reminder, grabbed Skye's backpack out of the car, and kissed her niece on the forehead—which promptly got wiped off.

"Have a good day." She hooked the strap of the bag over Skye's shoulder. "Make sure you hand in your math worksheet. I signed it this morning."

Maverick cupped Skye's cheek, raising her gaze, and winked.

"Your dad will pick you up this afternoon," she said.

Skye jumped up on the sidewalk, walking toward the school's front door. Three cars down, Dania waved goodbye to Mariah, who joined Skye in ignoring the adults.