Page 113 of Beating Heart
She caught me off guard when she lunged forward and tried to kiss me. I caught her by the wrists and pulled her back. “What the fuck are you doing, Tara?”
Her gaze hardened, and I wasn’t sure what the hell she was up to. We’d never once hooked up since the day she walked out that door over six years ago.
“I came here to see if I still had a family worth coming back for.”
“You’re delusional if you think I’ve been waiting for you.” I took the wineglass from her hand and set it in the sink. “You’re upset about your boyfriend, so you came here. Come on, Tara. Do the right fucking thing, and don’t be selfish when it comes to Cutler.”
“Fuck you, Nash. You think you have all the power?” Her words were slurring a little now as she’d obviously downed the two glasses of wine in a short period of time.
“It’s not about power. It’s about being a parent to that little kid in there,” I hissed, pointing toward the hallway.
“Well, don’t be so quick to write me off. You don’t have a leg to stand on where our son is concerned. Remember that.”
“The fuck did you just say to me?” I moved close, venom leaving my lips.
“You never wanted a paternity test after I gave birth. That’s a card that’s yet to be played. So watch yourself when you start thinking you’re calling the shots.”
My head spun as she marched down the hallway toward my son’s room, like she didn’t just drop a bomb on me.
I picked up my phone and typed into the group text.
Tara’s here. She was just sitting on my porch and insisted on staying the night. She just made a comment, questioning my paternity. I’m trying to remain fucking calm, but I’m ready to lose my shit.
River
What the fuck? Don’t react. Say nothing. I’ll be there first thing in the morning. She’s signing something this time. She’s not going to hold paternity over your head.
Hayes
I never fucking liked that girl.
Romeo
Who the fuck comes into town after being away all this time and fucks with the dude who has been raising that little boy?
King
Ride or die, brother. We’ve got you.
I was shaking as I made my way down to my room and shut and locked the bedroom door. I quickly changed clothes and got into bed, and I lay on my side just staring at my little boy.
The light of my life.
And I’d do whatever I needed to make sure she didn’t fuck with either one of us again.
I was done playing games.
thirty
. . .
Emerson
I hadn’t slept much at all. This feeling of panic had overwhelmed me and was taking over my body. I had flashbacks of the day I’d taken off of work to surprise Collin. I didn’t even tell my best friend I was doing it, because I didn’t want anyone at work to find out I was playing hooky.
I’d been working long hours, and Collin had been traveling a ton, and he’d sounded so distant that it had me on edge. So, I’d called in sick, picked up breakfast, and driven the short distance to his apartment. I knew he’d be sleeping in since he’d gotten in late the night before, so I used my spare key and made my way to his bedroom.
The whole thing was still a blur.
