Page 91 of How to Catch a Rockstar

He claps me on the back and ushers me inside. “The same way you weren’t supposed to fall in love?”

No way. There’s no way I love Aurora. I can’t love her. Hell, I’m not sure I know what love is.

“I haven’t fallen for Aurora. We’re dating and having a baby together but I’m not in love.”

He barks out a laugh. “Really?”

“Yes, really.”

“You didn’t change your entire stand on relationships and children because of her?”

He doesn’t give me a chance to respond before continuing.

“She isn’t the only woman you’ve ever let sleep in the bed with you? You don’t want to give her everything? Like a puppy for Christmas? You’re not worried you’re not good enough for her?”

“I’m not good enough for her.”

He smiles. “What you’re feeling is called love.”

“I don’t love her.”

“Okay. Maybe you don’t love her. But the seeds of love are there. Give them a bit of attention and soon enough – Bam! – love will be in your heart.”

Is he right? Is this the start of love? I did change my entire stance on relationships and children for Aurora. And I do want to give her everything. I never want to hurt her or see her cry. I rub a hand over my chest where it aches from watching how hurt she was this morning.

“What did you do?”

I drop my hand. “What do you mean?”

“Come on.” He motions me through the house and out the backyard to the tiny home they built for Mercy’s great uncle.

“Mercury isn’t living here yet,” Gibson explains as he opens the door. “Mercy insists we add panic buttons and guardrails everywhere before she’ll let him live here on his own.”

He opens the refrigerator and pulls out two bottles. When he hands me one and I see it’s water, I blow out a breath in relief.

“Don’t worry,” he says as he motions for me to take a seat on the sofa. “I’m still sober. It helps that my parents haven’t contacted me since I filed a restraining order against them.”

“I don’t get it.”

“Get what?”

“How could a dad ever treat his son the way yours treats you?”

His shoulders sag in relief. “You’re not going to bug me anymore to give my parents another chance?”

Guilt swamps me at how relieved he is. Shit. I’ve been an asshole. I’ve been pushing him for the past decade to reconcile with his parents. I couldn’t understand how he didn’t want anything to do with them since I’d give anything to have parents in my life.

But now I’m going to be a father myself, my feelings have changed.

“Fuck no. They don’t deserve you. I sure as hell won’t treat my daughter the way your parents treat you.”

He smiles. “A daughter? Aurora is having a girl?”

I nod.

He lifts his bottle and touches it to mine. “Congrats, bro.”

“Thanks.” I smile at the idea of a little girl who looks like Aurora. Assuming Aurora ever lets me see our child after last night.

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