Broken kingdom

Chapter 24 Bianca

“I’ll be at your apartment in one minute,” I tell Stone from the back seat of the Uber. 

I have a two-hour break between classes today, so we made plans to spend some time together at his place and eat lunch. 

I hear him sigh over the line. “Shit.” 

“What’s wrong?” 

Another sigh. “Ruth and I made plans to study. We have a big test coming up and we’re both nervous about it.” A weird note enters his voice. “Don’t worry, it’s not like that. Robby’s joining us when he gets out of class.” 

I’m not sure how to feel about this. On one hand, I know his schedule is insane and studying for tests is important. 

But on the other? 

We made plans and I’m a

I also don’t know how to feel about him insinuating I had nothing to worry about with him and Ruth because I wasn’t even concerned to begin with. 

However, I know he’s super stressed, so I decide to let it go. “It’s fine. I’ll just grab a bite to eat on campus and head back to my dorm.” 

I’m about to ask the Uber driver if he can pop a u-ey, but Stone says, “Actually, I was kind of hoping you could do me a favor.” 

“What kind of favor?” 

“Can you do my laundry? I’ve been working my ass off, burning the candle at both ends and I figured since you have so much free time seeing as you’re not working and all, you could help me out.”

I grind my molars so hard I’m surprised they don’t turn to dust. 

It’s not the fact that he asked me to do his laundry. 

It’s the way he managed to make it seem like me being a full-time student myself was no big deal. Granted, I’m fortunate that my dad insisted I not work my first year of college due to all the shit that happened last year because he didn’t want me to be overloaded, but still. 

Forcing myself to breathe, I let it roll off my back because we’ve been arguing a lot lately and I’m so tired of it. 

 “Fine.” 

I’m about to hang up, but then he says, “Do you think you can vacuum too?” 

“Sure thing,” I grit through my teeth before I click the end call button.

A ball of dread lodges in my throat. 

I’m starting to feel less like his fiancée and more like his maid. 

Reluctantly, I hop out of the Uber. 

I’m heading inside the building when I spot Oakley walking through the parking lot. 

With a baby in his arms. 

Well, not a baby, because she’s definitely more of a toddler, but still. 

My breath stalls as they come into view.

She’s the most beautiful little girl I’ve ever seen. Blonde hair done up in pigtails, cherubic rosy cheeks, big bright blue eyes…and my favorite feature. 

An adorable, albeit mischievous cheeky grin that invites you to smile right along with her. 

One that’s near identical to Oakley’s. 

Oh, boy. I didn’t know he was a father. 

Then again how could I? We only started our newfound friendship two days ago and haven’t had a chance to hang out yet. 

I approach them gingerly. “Hi.” 

Oakley who’s digging around a diaper bag while holding two ice cream cones, and his kid, looks up. “Hey.” 

“Do you want some help?” I offer. 

“Nah, I got this.” He places the little girl down. “Besides, C.J. can stand on her own, can’t you?” 

She gives him a big smile and I can’t help but notice the chocolate ice cream smeared all over her face as she makes little grabby hands for him. 

Oakley shakes his head. “In a minute, let me clean your face first.” 

“She’s so beautiful.” I look down at the little girl who’s still making those grabby hands. “I had no idea you had a daughter.” 

A flash of pain flickers in his eyes and I silently curse myself because it’s really none of my business. 

“She, uh… she’s not.” He fishes some wipes out of the bag. “C.J.’s my little sister.” 

“Oh.” 

A weird twist of relief goes through my chest and I have no idea why. 

Oakley bends down and starts wiping her face, but she’s not a fan of that because she turns away and starts yelling, “Eye-cream.” 

I can tell Oakley wants to cave, but he’s trying his best not to. “I know, but I have to get rid of the evidence before Dad comes.” 

Grabbing his cheeks firmly she gives him a serious look. “Eye-cream, Uh-oh.” I can practically see the wheels turning in her head as she continues uttering her request. “Peas, Uh-oh.” 

He melts like butter in the midday sun. “Well, shit—” He catches himself. “I mean, shoot.” He looks at me helplessly. “How the hell can I say no to that?” 

Yeah, I’m no help in this situation. “I couldn’t.” 

Not only because it’s ice cream which is a straight-up gift from God, but C.J.’s far too adorable for words. 

“Fine.” 

He holds the chocolate ice cream cone out to her, but she snatches the other one in his hand. 

Oakley’s mouth drops open. “Hey, that’s mine.”

C.J. doesn’t agree though because she happily laps at what appears to be mint chip ice cream. 

“Smart girl.” I sink to my haunches so I’m eye level with her. “Mint chip is my favorite.” 

C.J. holds it out to me, and I realize she’s trying to share. “Aw, no thank you, baby.” 

Oakley makes a face. “Trust me, you should take it before she shoves it in your mouth.” 

“Really—” 

As if on cue, she thrusts the cone forward and I get a mouthful of mint chip. 

“So yummy,” I tell her because no way in hell would I ever be mad at a kid for sharing their ice cream with me. Especially when it’s my favorite. “Thank you.” 

“Good job sharing,” Oakley praises, looking like he’s trying his hardest to hold back laughter. “We just need to work on you being less aggressive about it.” 

“That’s not such a bad thing,” I say with a wink. “Sometimes being persistent pays off and you end up getting exactly what you want.” 

I can feel those intense blue eyes boring into me. “Is that so?” 

I’m not sure if it was intended or not, but there’s a flirtatious tilt to his voice. I’m suddenly grateful for my tan complexion because I’m positive I’m blushing a thousand different shades of red right now. 

“Well, being persistent is how I got you.”

Realizing my blunder, I avert my gaze. “I mean, you know…got my friendship with you.” 

His expression turns stormy. “Right.” 

“Uh-oh,” C.J. calls out. 

We both turn our attention back to her. “Does that mean she had an accident?” 

Laughing, Oakley shakes his head. “No, that’s how she says my name.” 

Jesus. I’m pretty sure that’s the most endearing thing I’ve ever heard in my life. 

After it’s clear C.J.’s had enough of her ice cream, Oakley tries to wipe her face again, but she’s not having it. 

Whining, she turns her head from side to side.

“Here,” I say, grabbing the wipe from him. “Let me try.” 

Making silly faces and noises to distract her, I quickly clean off her lips and cheeks. 

Pretty soon her whines of protest turn into adorable fits of giggles and she starts making faces back at me. 

We’re having so much fun fooling around, I almost don’t hear Oakley’s next sentence. “You’re really good with her.” 

I’m about to speak, but his face is etched in so much agony my chest aches. 

The sound of someone clearing their throat breaks the fog around us. 

“What’s going on here?” 

I look up at a short, stocky man glaring down at us with an angry scowl on his face.