Page 121 of Rule Breakers Fall Hardest

I’m not a huge beer drinker, but tonight, it’s just what I need.

“That he’ll inherit the majority of whatever portion you get of the Hendricks fortune.” I take a swig. “And that any kid I give you would get less.”

He cocks his head to the side, frowning. “Doesn’t she know that things can be split equally?”

“This is my mother we’re talking about. She’s a loony tune.God love her.”

“I’m sorry she makes you feel bad about things.”

“About myself, you mean?” I set my bottle down and laugh humorlessly. “The worst part is she doesn’t even mean to be cruel. At least if it were purposeful, I could blame it on jealousy or pettiness. But she’s not a shitty mother. No matter what she says, her goal isn’t to make me feel bad. She’s just… Her way of thinking is twisted. I don’t know whether it’s from how she was raised or a consequence of being in the modeling industry for so long.”

“Still, I wish she didn’t talk to you like that.”

Elbows on the island, I rest my chin in my hands. “I’m used to it.”

He grunts and rounds the island until he’s standing at my side. “That’s what you always say.”

“Because as sucky as it is, I am.”

We’re watching each other silently, both still processing the conversation, when Sammy wails from upstairs.

I tip my beer in Daire’s direction. “Parenthood calls.”

Without hesitation, he jogs out of the kitchen. He doesn’t need my help. I could stay down here, sipping the rest of my beer, but I don’t want to. Sammy might not be mine, but he’s already got me wrapped around his chubby little finger.

I didn’t know I liked kids this much.

Not until him.

As I hit the top step, Daire opens the door to the bedroom and disappears inside.

“Hey, little man,” he croons, scooping the screaming baby into his arms. “What’s wrong?”

Sammy continues to scream, not at all consoled by Daire’s hold. It’s pitiful seeing him like this, and we’re two idiots who really don’t know what we’re doing.

“Want me to take him?” I step up to his side and hold my arms out for the baby.

Daire passes him to me, and he instantly nuzzles into me, his wails turning into sniffles.

“He likes you more than me.” Daire doesn’t sound disgruntled about it. If anything, he’s amused.

I poke my boob. “I think it’s because my chest is squishier than yours.”

His laughter warms me as I sit down in the rocking chair. “Can’t say I blame him.”

Smoothing my finger over Sammy’s cheek, I smile down at him. “Did you have a bad dream, little one?”

Teary blue eyes look up at me. My stomach is heavy—this little guy doesn’t know how much his life has changed in the past few days.

“Do you think he misses his mom?” I whisper.

Daire sits on the floor in front of us, crossing his legs. “Probably.”

“Poor little guy.” Gently, I rub my finger over his eyebrows in an attempt to help him back to sleep. “Could you find a pacifier for him?” The small table to my right, where we usually keep one or two, is empty.

He hops up and looks into the crib, then he tries the changing table and the dresser, opening drawer after drawer.

“How the f—” He catches himself with a shake of his head. “How did we manage to lose every single one in a matter of days?”

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