Page 142 of Good For Me

“Damn it.” She went inside to walk her family out. I remember it took her forever to come back. And when she did return to the patio, she was smiling—but her eyes weren’t the same.

“She heard you. I know she did.”

Dad shakes his head. “I’m sorry, Son.”

I turn on my heel and stride to the basement stairs. “River,” Dad calls, but I ignore him, pounding downstairs. Reed and Cash are playing pool with Will and Wyatt, and they all look up when I appear.

“Hey, kid,” Cash begins. “You feeling better?”

But I ignore him, heading straight for Reed.

“Did Paige sign a prenup?”

He blinks at me. “What?”

Dad appears behind me. “River,” he tries again, but I ignore him.

“Did Aunt Paige sign a prenup when you got married?”

“Of course not. What are you talking about?”

“You weren’t afraid she was after your money?”

His face reddens. “Don’t talk that way about your aunt.”

I shove a finger into his chest, so pissed I can barely see straight. I know it’s not entirely his fault. It’s not unreasonable to ask for a paternity test. I know he considers it his job to look out for the entire family. But I’m pissed all the same. Pissed at him for putting that doubt into Jasmine’s head, pissed at her mom, pissed at her asshole ex, pissed at the whole damn world. Mostly I’m pissed at myself, because I never should have walked out of that room today.

But Reed is the one standing here, so Reed is going to take the brunt of my anger.

“Why didn’t you ask for a prenup, Reed?” I spin to Cash. “I assume you didn’t get one either?”

“Of course not—”

“Did you tell him to?” I ask Reed. “I’m pretty sure Aunt Sam was pregnant when they got married. Did you encourage him to get a paternity test? Were you worried about Cash’s money?”

Understanding dawns on Reed’s face. “Listen, kid—”

“You fucking listen,” I interrupt. “None of you asked that from the women you married. Because you loved them. You trusted them. It’s no different for me.” I’m breathing so fast I’m shaking, but I feel a little better, somehow. Saying this out loud for the first time feels really damn good, actually.

“I’m in love with that woman and we’re having a baby together. I’m going to marry her and I’m going to provide for them and we’re going to be fucking happy, you get that?”

He gapes at me and I can’t even blame him for his shock. I’ve never talked to any of the adults of our family like this. Hell, I’ve never talked toanyonelike this. This is not the easy-going, fun-time River they’ve come to expect.

And maybe that’s okay. Maybe that guy was who I needed to be for a while. But now? Now that I know exactly who and what I want out of life? I’m done fucking around.

“If you doubt Jas then you doubt me.” I look at the others. Uncle Cash has a huge grin on his face—probably because nothing makes him happier than someone ragging on his older brother. Will and Wyatt are looking at me like they’ve never seen me before.

I meet my dad’s eyes and he smiles, too, looking a little proud. He nods at me and I turn back to the others. “That goes for everyone in this family. Understood?”

I don’t wait for an answer. I know where I’m supposed to be right now, and it’s definitely not my grandpa’s basement.

“Hey,” Will says as I try to pass him. “Maybe you shouldn’t drive, man. You look a little…”

“Crazy as shit?” I bark, and he laughs nervously.

“Yeah, actually.”

I smack his chest. “Don’t worry, Will. I’m just going to take your advice.”

His forehead scrunches in confusion. “What advice?”

“I’m not fucking giving up.”