Page 74 of Beating Heart

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You assholes do realize it’s a group text, and he’s going to see this, right?

King

King

Of course, we do, dicknugget. We’re talking it through. I like that he actually likes someone. I was starting to worry that he might be broken.

I barked out a laugh. We really had no filter with one another, but calling me broken on a group chat was next level.

Hayes

He’s not broken. He’s damaged.

Romeo

He’s not broken or damaged. He’s just cautious. He’s raising a kid on his own. It’s a full-time job.

River

He’s going to really enjoy catching up on these messages.

King

Cautious is a better word. And rightfully so. But he also deserves to be happy.

Hayes

I’ve got news for you. You can be happy without having the same woman in your bed every night. Nash does just fine.

King

You can’t just have flings for the rest of your life. Eventually, everyone wants to settle down.

Hayes

You were the one who was never going to settle down. Now you’re an expert on relationships?

River

Listen, Nash is in a different place than we are. None of us have a kid to raise, nor are we doing it as a single parent. So, if he wants to have flings for the rest of his life, he can do that. He makes his own rules.

Romeo

I have something to tell you, but I’d rather tell you when I know Nash is here.

River

If you are going to get back in that ring and fight again, I’m going to lose my shit. I can’t go through it again.

Romeo

You can’t watch ME get hit over and over?

River

Correct.

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