Chapter 5
By the time Paul was able to get back to the room a little before midnight, both Mackenzie and Kira had been long asleep.
Kira had fallen asleep in Montana’s lap while they had been watching a movie; she had tucked the little girl into one of the beds. It hadn’t been long after that Mac had joined her sister, cuddled against Kira.
Now Paul looked over at the sleeping figures before glancing back at Montana.
“Wait a minute; they always act up before going to bed. How did you get them to….” he began.
“They had a snack and Kira fell asleep during the movie,” she replied. “Mackenzie started to doze off on the floor before I told her to go to bed. They weren’t a problem all night. Actually, your older one is quite a conversationalist.”
“Oh God. I don’t think I want to ask what the hell she told you.”
“Frankly, let’s just say both of those little girls think the world of you.”
“Mac said that?” Paul looked shocked.
“She didn’t have to,” Montana answered. “I picked up on it right away. You know, that child gets concerned about you sometimes.”
“Sometimes I think Little Miss Mackenzie gets more concerned about me than she should.”
“You really should look at it from her side, Paul. She lost her mother at a young age and in a way, had to grow up quick. She‘s almost like a little mother to Kira.”
“Yeah, I haven’t exactly been father of the year since Reggie died. If I’m not dragging them with me and leaving them with sitters all summer when I have matches, they’re dumped with my pops and step mom the rest of the year while Mac’s in school and Kira has preschool.”
“I haven’t really known you long, but I think from what I’ve seen and the girls told me so far, I think you’ve done quite well under your circumstances. But haven’t you dated anyone that’s at least taken some interest in them?”
“Does such a woman even exist?” Paul asked solemnly.
“I’m sure at least one would love to have someone like you and those two beautiful children,” Montana encouraged.
He snorted. “Right. The younger girls at my feet are only good for sucking and fucking, and I’ve been past that shit since I married Reg and the girls came along. The older ones, well, they’re either married with their own kids or more interested in fucking the guys further up the totem pole, so to speak, and they see me more as a buddy.”
“Have you even tried looking outside of the business?”
“Shit. That option is pretty much shot in the ass. Who wants a guy that only sees them fifty days a year, if that? Then there is the factor of girls who fuck other guys while you're on the road. It never seems to work out. In either case, no one seems to want to raise other women’s kids these days. So outside family, I’m pretty much on my own being mami and papi to Mac and Kira.”
“Well, I’m sure whatever the case may be, they will grow up to be young ladies that make you proud.”
“I’m working on it,” Paul nodded. “One thing about Spanky being with the other brand, he isn’t around as often to try and corrupt the girls, especially Mac. Next to me, she thinks Brian is the second coming of the Messiah. One day with him means taking a whole week for me to settle her down afterwards. Then again, if he grew the right ‘equipment’ and wasn’t already engaged, I’d propose.”
Montana laughed heartily. “Would that even be possible?”
“May as well be. That’s another thing, Montana; every chick I had been with, the girls didn’t like them for some reason. Kira never said much, but Mac would make it clear each time to whatever woman I was with that they didn’t measure up one way or another, if she didn’t embarrass the shit out of me. Needless to say, my current relationships didn’t last very long. The most recent one lasted about a month, I think.”
“What about the one woman I see you with once in awhile?” Montana wondered. “She seems very nice.”
“Shaun? Oh, she and I have been friends for about nine years; we just hang out once in awhile when she gets time off her own job. She’s great to talk to, though. There was another friend I had awhile back, Anna, but we kind of fell out because of bullshit on my part and she hasn’t spoken to me since. Kind of sucks, because I really cared about her and she and the girls really liked each other too. Like I said, I’m better off just being in my present situation. No drama, no bullshit. Just me and the two munchkins over there, at least till the end of summer.”
Montana nodded, not knowing what to say. She gathered up her things to leave, thanking him for letting her spend time with his daughters.
“No, thank you. If you hadn’t volunteered, I’d been screwed for the night and would had to take them to the arena, which we both know that backstage is no place for little girls.”
“You aren’t kidding,” she agreed. “But if you need me another time, just let me know, all right? If I’m not too busy, I’ll be happy to stay with them.”
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