Call Him Daddy

Chapter 7

Gunnar

Letting Evita stick around wasn’t the best idea I ever came up with. Not only was she clingy and annoying, but she was also going out of her way to get under Sun’s skin. I probably should have warned her, but seeing how Sun has been handling her, I’m sure she’ll get the hint to back off soon enough. That’s if I don’t throw her out first.

Her purpose of being here has been fruitless. If anything, it set me back. Since she’s been here, Sun’s been more reclusive, barely talks unless I snap her, sneaks out in the morning taking a cab to work, and has forced me not to push her into joining us for dinner. With Evita here claiming to be my girlfriend, I was hoping that she'd get upset or show some kind of reaction. Instead, I get these dead looks, half responses, and little of her time.

The past four days have been hell. The only solace I get is eavesdropping on her conversations with Danielle. The girl reads too many novels for my liking. The way she dissects my plans is unfathomable, but the way she reads Sun is a gift I wish I had. From their conversations, I gathered she doesn’t know what happened two years ago. However, she is still able to see that Sun is fighting a losing battle and that she is purposely playing blind to not only my shenanigans but also hers.

“Checking on her again.”

“Mhm.”

“Is there something going on that I need to know about?”

“No.”

It wasn’t any of her business. Evita was only here as a ruse to get Sun to loosen up and that is failing miserably. I no longer had any need for her, but I planned on keeping her around for a few more days just in case.

“I don’t know Gun, but something feels off between you two. I know you said that you were just her guardian, but it seems more than that. I just can’t put my finger on it.”

“Vita, you think too much. Plus, is this coming from the fact that you don’t think she likes you?”

“She doesn’t and I don’t know why. It’s not like I’m trying to replace her mother or anything.”

“I highly doubt that she thinks that. Don’t take it to heart, Sun doesn’t really care much for people. That’s just how she is. Give her some time to warm up to you.”

I knew the odds of Sun ever warming up to Evita were slim to none. I heard her comments to her friend and I noticed the way she looked at her. There was no way Evita had a chance. I don’t even know why Evita is trying that hard, we’re not together. If she’s trying to butter Sun as a way to get me to take her back, she’s barking up the wrong tree.

As a call came in from the burner phone, I sent Evita out of my office. If my mood wasn’t ruined by the time, I got off the phone, it was definitely ruined once Lydia came running in telling me that Sun was packed and leaving the house. Running out of the office and house, I found her and Evita lifting two suitcases in the back of a brand-new custom-painted dark purple G wagon.

“Where the hell do you think you’re going?”

“Meeting up with Dannie.”

“And the suitcases?”

“Donation.”

“The car?”

“Bought it and got it delivered a few minutes ago.”

I had to reel in my anger. She was so giddy about the fact she went and bought a new car. I’m not even sure why I’m surprised. The girl had enough money to buy the city, if not the state if she wanted to. Maybe it’s because I know that she doesn’t like spending more than required. Does that mean she got a car because she felt it was required in order to leave me?

“Is that ok? She asked while looking at Evita, who was looking at both of us. No, it wasn’t okay. I specifically told her she couldn’t leave without my permission, but ever since Evita showed up, she’s been going out of her way to defy me.

“Yeah. Don’t stay out too late and be careful.”

There was a lot I wanted to say but couldn’t. We had an audience. Even if we didn’t, with that smile and excitement coming from her, I wouldn’t have it in me to deny her. She waved at me and Evita before jumping into her car.

“Ma petite poupée Noire, aren’t you forgetting something?”

It was amusing how she kept looking between me and Evita like that was going to change anything. I already didn’t want to let her go, so I wasn’t going to let her get away without having her in my arms for a least a few seconds.

I held her gaze as she hopped out of the car. It took everything in me to keep my eyes from roaming around that luscious frame. She had on faded jean shorts with a black and red tank top that looked glued to her. No makeup on, locs in mid-ponytail, silver hoop earrings matching the diamond necklace I got her for her eighteen birthday. If she was going for the simple look, she failed. She looked gorgeous and I hated it.

She took the few steps needed to get to me. I pulled her in my arms and held her. She wrapped her arms around my neck and hugged me back. I can feel her body relaxing into mine. The soft smell of the coconut oil in her hair filled my nose and the itch to run my fingers through her locs once more was driving me crazy. Everything about her drove me insane and now it was no different.

For a moment, we forgot Evita was even there until she cleared her throat, ruining the moment. Sun released her arms and kissed me on the cheek before pulling away from me. I pulled her back in, brushing my lips against her ear, causing her to shiver in my arms.

“Don’t stay out too long. Call me if anything happens and we need to talk when you get back.” I whispered in her ear, gaining another shiver from her. She nodded, as she tried to put some distance between us. I let her go and walked her to her car. Leaning into her window, I kissed her cheek before letting her go.

“Gun what the f.ck was that?” Evita screeched out. Thank heavens we don’t have neighbors. The way she was going at it, if we did, they’d probably call the police. I had no answers for her, I was still beaming in the light of what just happened.

It was supposed to be a single hug and done. When I asked her if she was forgetting something, it was to see if she would have put up a fight or catch an attitude because as she put it last time, she’s too old for these things. Who knew goodbye hugs came with an age requirement? Yet as soon as she melted in my arms, I couldn’t control myself. I had expected her to pull away sooner, but she didn’t, and I can tell a part of her didn’t want to.

I wonder if Evita hadn't been there if she would have stayed in my arms longer, could I have gotten more than a kiss on the cheek? I wanted more, always have.

“Gun, answer me. What the hell was that?”

“Evita, back off. My name is Gunnar, not Gun, but Gunnar for Christ’s sake. Go home.”

It was a mistake having her here and I needed her to leave. I needed to think, and her nonstop bickering was making it impossible to do so. I needed to make sure I was levelheaded by the time Sun returned home and that wouldn't happen with this banshee in my ears.

“You can’t be serious. I’ve been calling you Gun for over a year now and you never had a problem with it. And if I remember correctly, you were the one who begged me to miss my shoot to come here. Now you want to kick me out. What game are you playing? Is this to get back at me or is it to get her in your bed?”

The latter but it was more to it than that. Of course, I wouldn’t tell her that. Her missing the shoot was payback, her being here was for a game. One I seemed to be losing.

“Neither but I need you to leave. I have to go out of town for a few days and I can’t have you staying here harassing Lydia and Sun.”

She was furious and it was expected. I’m not the type to mistreat and use females. Evita and Sun’s mother, if I can call her that, happened to be the exception. They felt entitled to things that didn’t belong to them. Nothing was ever enough for those two. I can understand what led me to Sun’s mom, Charlotte. Evita will forever remain a question mark. While I was trying to avoid another Charlotte, I ended up with Evita, and she wasn’t that far off.

It's probably because she reminds me so much of that wretch that I don’t mind treating her threatening her the way I do. But the fault isn’t all mine. If she caught the hint and went on her way, she wouldn’t be subject to such mistreatments. If she wasn’t only sticking around for the money and the assumption that I'd be stupid enough to give her my last name and fortune, then I might have an ounce of respect for her.

****

It was past nine and Sun hadn’t returned yet. I wasn’t worried since I had Nate tailing her. I was annoyed that she'd been out for more than eight hours and didn’t bother letting me know she’d be out this late. Watching her through the button camera installed on Nate’s jacket, I could tell she was enjoying herself. It’s not often I see her that happy.

She was currently having dinner with Danielle at some run-down diner. I know I shouldn’t do what I’m about to, but I’m bored and curious. Hacking into her phone, I sat back and listened to their conversation while watching her every move. I have to be honest, out of all the three or four friends she has ever had, Danielle was by far my favorite.

“How long are you going to lie to yourself?”

“Don’t know what you’re talking about.”

“Girl, please. You’ve been looking at your phone all day. Don’t lie and say you’re not waiting for him to text or call you.”

“Dannie, you’re the only one to text or call me.”

“Nope. You have stepdaddy special at home who never stops checking in until today. So, what happened?”

“What is up with you and these nicknames?”

“Drop the step and the special and just call him daddy.”

“I’m done. Time for me to go home.”

“You better not. Sit your as. down and give me the tea.”

She is definitely my favorite. She was giving Sun a run for her money, and I quite enjoyed it. Every time Sun tries to deflect, she brings her question right back. Hearing Sun admits that she had indeed been waiting for my text or call had me feeling elated. Of course, I wanted to text and call her, but I also wanted her to enjoy time with friends and hoped that she would miss me just a bit.

Even though she tried using the excuse that she didn’t want me throwing another tantrum to cover up the fact that she was missing me. Luckily, Danielle saw through the mask and called her out on it. I’m not sure she knows the extent or if she even knows that Sun suffers from PTSD, but she knows as well as I do, Sun would have been long gone if not attempted to leave already if she felt like I was going to harm her.

If she had no mild interest in me as she claims, she wouldn’t be doing half of the things she’s doing. For someone who's pretty cut and dry, who never holds on to those or things that might disturb her peace and neutrality; she was hanging on for far longer than known possible. From her first night back home to Evita and now, it’s hard to believe that it’s basic fear that’s keeping her still.

Listening to Danielle breaking down her personality and character traits to get her to understand and accept that she’s purposely dragging this along, made me realize I had the wrong plans all along. Danielle should have been the one I focused on and sought out to turn the table my way. The girl is a flicking genius.

“You’re acting like there’s some kind of code or law banning you from that daddy of yours. He’s not blood. Don’t even say anything, I’m not done yet. Yes, he was married to your mom but for only six months. So, what if they dated and the whole she-ding lasted a year? Throw some holy water on that d.ck and hop on it. F.ck everything else. Scratch that, f.ck him, and get it over with. It’s about time you lost that V-card, might as well be him.”

“Danielle shut the f.ck up, and let’s go.”

In any other circumstances, I would have disliked her, but since she is speaking on my behalf, I’m all for it and their friendship. Well damn, there’s no need for the holy water, but if she required it, I'd be more than happy to oblige. Wait, did she just say it’s about time Sun lost her v card? What does that mean? Holly hell. The conversation took over my mind from there.

Too busy replaying the conversation in my head, I missed a vital detail. The burner phone went off yanking me out of wonderful thoughts. Seeing it was Nate, I hurriedly answered while looking at the screen. That’s when I saw it, saw her.

“Boss, what do you want me to do?”

“Follow the girls and make sure Sun gets home. Leave Leo to deal with her.”

“Are you sure about this? After all, it is her mother.”