The Last Dance Read Online Free PDF

hospital bed consumed me. I wouldn’t fuck up like that again, not with her.
    When I had laid Bryce down for the night, I called to apologize.
    “ I’m sorry, I had a bad morning.” I didn’t even let her finish her hello.
    “I figured. What happened?” I could tell she was on edge. I’d probably done that to her. She didn’t deserve it.
    “Can we not talk about it right now?”
    “No secrets,” she reminded me.
    “This isn’t a secret. We can call it a delayed conversation,” I gritted out.
    “Nice. I can tell you are still angry. I wish I could serve you some ass to take it out on.” I could practically see the smile she was wearing and groaned in reply. Fuck, she was perfect.
    “And this is why I couldn’t get anything done at work today.”
    “Tell me about music,” she murmured, her voice putting me at ease.
    “Music?”
    “Yeah, tell me what you like.”
    “I have a thing for good guitar solos,” I said, my mood evening out for the first time today. I climbed the stairs and checked on Bryce then went to my room to strip and bathe.
    “Hmm, interesting,” she said, playing along.
    “No, it’s not really,” I mused at her reach for small conversation. “I’m taking a bath. Why don’t you join me?”
    “I took one today. I was in the tub when I texted you, remember?”
    “Take another one,” I said suggestively.
    “Okay.” I heard the rush of water as she readied her bath, and minutes later, we both sank into our tubs.
    “Kind of a feminine habit you have here, Rhys.” She laughed and I joined her.
    “Baths are relaxing. I don’t drink when I have Bryce, so this is what I do. Don’t hate on Daddy’s bath.”
    “Not hating, just an observation. Don’t forget to sprinkle your salt.” She laughed again and I heard her water splash.
    “Cute, really you are adorable. In my mind, I have blistered your ass about a hundred times since you left.” I knew I had her attention.
    “Well then, I guess I’m thankful my ass is safe.” She sighed and I could picture her beautiful hazel eyes peering at me, mouth parted.
    My bath was no longer relaxing.
    “Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, Violet. I don’t like that you’ll be alone.”
    “I have a chicken to cook,” she said, upbeat.
    “I’m cooking my first turkey.” I laughed at the thought.
    “What’s so funny?” she asked, her silky voice making it hard for me to concentrate on her question.
    “Me, Bryce and a raw turkey. I can’t wait until you get a chance to know him. He is a twenty-eight pound Godzilla.
    “Tell me more,” she said sweetly.
    “What do you want to know?” I asked, rolling up a hand towel with one hand before sticking it behind my head.
    “Everything,” she sighed.
    “Before I brought him home from the hospital, I Googled everything and I mean everything. I watched a few videos to get the gist of it. There was a lot of trial and error. I had help from my family, but I’ve been pretty much alone the whole time. I thought it would be easier than it was. Feed him, clothe him, change him. I didn’t put much weight on sleeping schedules or an extra set of clothes just in case, or the croup or baby reflux.” I paused. “I really never thought I would be a dad. I’ve been pretty selfish with my freedom my whole life. I liked just worrying about me. And then I found out he was coming and I couldn’t handle the thought of not keeping him.”
    Thinking about the lengths I had gone to be his father, I admitted the truth to her. “You know I had to beg for his life. I had to beg every day for her to keep him until it was too late and she had to carry full term.” I thought about my son and smiled. “He’s the best thing that ever happened to me. I really do love it, being a father. I’m not resentful I had to give up my freedom, because honestly, I realized I wasn’t too happy with it. Things changed for me so drastically, I didn’t even realize that I’d become a father and nothing else. You were the