I try her phone with no luck.
Finding both Monty and Kennedy’s contacts, I individually shoot them the same text.
Kennedy and Miller seem on the brink of becoming friends regardless that she likes to assume she doesn’t have any. I can see how excited Miller gets anytime Kennedy is around. She’s the only other woman on the road with us, so maybe they’re hanging out now?
Me: Happen to know where Miller is?
Kennedy: No, but your brother won’t stop sending me selfies of him and Max, asking if I want to come over and play house with him.
She forwards me a couple of the images of my brother and son on the floor, playing with toys. The pictures are clearly Isaiah’s newest form of a thirst trap. His playboy thing has never done it for Kennedy, so I guess he’s going with the family man route and seeing if that lands.
Me: Want me to tell him to leave you alone?
Kennedy: I’ve got it handled. I’ve been dealing with your brother for years. When it comes to Isaiah Rhodes, my favorite thing to do is to humble him.
Me: Have fun with that.
Kennedy: I always do.
In a separate text thread, Monty responds.
Monty: Why?
Me: Weird answer. Is she with you?
Monty: What are your intentions with my daughter?
Okay, he’s definitely with Miller. Grabbing my hotel key, I leave my room and head towards his.
Me: This new overprotective dad thing doesn’t track. She lives in a van, and you’re cool with it. She travels all over the country alone for work. No way are my intentions your greatest concern when it comes to her.
Monty: I’m asking a simple question here. So defensive, Ace. I’ve already caught you in bed with her once. Anything else I should know?
Fucking hell.
Taking a few turns down the hallway on our floor, I find Monty’s room and knock.
“Yes?” he asks, cracking the door only slightly.
“Miller here?”
“Anything you’re wanting to tell me?”
“Dad, stop,” I hear Miller scold from the background. With her hand around the door, she opens it fully, exposing her pretty brunette hair and olive-green overalls. “He’s been like this all day.”
“That’s because you two have been acting like strangers. Something clearly happened.”
Well . . . shit.
Miller ignores him, her eyes tracing my clothes, fully dressed and ready to leave the hotel. “What’s up? Need help with Max?”
“No, he’s with Isaiah tonight, but I was wondering . . .” My eyes flit to Monty standing behind his daughter, big arms crossed over his chest. He uses two fingers to point to his eyes before directing them my way, telling me he’s watching me. “Can you fucking stop? This is weird, Monty.”
Miller whips around, but he plays it completely cool. “I have no idea what he’s talking about.”
I roll my eyes, redirecting them towards the tattooed beauty. “I was wondering if you wanted to go somewhere with me.”
“Where?”
“It’s a surprise.”
Her greens sparkle. “Baseball Daddy, are you propositioning me to have some fun?”
“Something like that.”
Miller turns back to her dad. “Do you mind?”
“Have her back by curfew.”
Her eyes narrow. “In what fucking world would I have a curfew? I wasn’t asking for permission. Stop being weird. I was just asking if you mind if I don’t finish our movie.”
“Nine p.m. sharp,” is Monty’s only response.
We’re both exhausted of him. “It’s already nine-thirty.”
Grabbing her denim jacket from the couch, Miller pats her dad’s arm. “You should probably rehearse that for next time. I’m sure you could do better.”
The typical smile he wears around his daughter finally cracks through. “I’ve always wanted to play the overbearing dad watching his daughter leave for a date. What would make it more believable next time?”
“I’m not sure, I’ve never had one.” Leaving the hotel room, she offers her dad a quick wave. “See you tomorrow.”
“Love you, Millie.”
“Love you.”
Together we walk to the elevator. “Never had what?” I ask. “An overbearing dad or a date?”
“Neither.” She stops in her tracks, turning in to face me. “This isn’t a date, right?”
“Oh, I know you better than that. I wouldn’t dare take you on a date. That’s way too much commitment for you, Montgomery.”