Page 106 of Rule Breakers Fall Hardest

DAIRE

“Who’s parked in the driveway?”Confusion floods me at the sight of the unfamiliar vehicle parked in front of the garage. Is it child services? Did they change their minds? If they’re here to take Sammy from me, we’re going to have a problem.

“What?” Rosie clutches the passenger seat and leans forward, craning her neck. I asked her to sit in the back seat so Sammy wouldn’t get scared or lonely. I have no idea if he recalls anything from the last time he was in a car. “I don’t know.Looks like a rental car.”

I pull into the driveway behind the black Tahoe and put the van in park.

The second I press the ignition button, the driver’s door opens in front of me, and my dad steps out.

I nearly shit my pants as he turns to face me, his hands on his hips. When Roman climbs out of the passenger side, I slap a hand to my face. “What the fuck?”

I haven’t told my dad about Sammy. Not because I’m trying to keep my kid a secret, but because I don’t know how the hell to explain to him that I knocked up my professor.

With a deep inhale, I get out.

“What are you guys doing here?” The urge to drop an F-bomb is strong, but I bite my tongue since there are impressionable infant ears listening to everything I say now.

“I can’t want to see my son on Christmas?”

Hands on my hips, I tip my head back and search the sky for answers. My dad had a heart attack when we told him we got married. I can’t imagine what’s going to happen this time.

“Sure, but Dad,” I put my hands up in front of me, “there’s something I need to tell you.”

I look back at Rosie and give a nod.

She bites her lip but responds with a nod of her own and unlatches Sammy from the car seat.

When she steps out of the car, Roman bursts into laughter. “Holy shit! You guysdohave a kid!”

My dad staggers back, his face ghost white—but he better not even think about becoming an actual ghost any time soon.

“Dad!” I rush forward and put an arm around him. “It’s not what you think… I mean, it is, but it’s not.”

“That’s a baby, Daire.” He puts a hand over his heart.Fuck. I hope to God it’s only because it’s beating fast and not because he’s experiencing chest pains.

There’s been enough death in the past twenty-four hours.

“Let’s head inside and talk about this.” I step in front of him and urge him toward the house.

“Daire.” Without budging, he says my name again slowly. “That’s a baby.” He points at my son in Rosie’s arms.

“Yes, and we’re going to talk about it inside. Where it’s warm.”

Roman cackles, shoving his hands into the pockets of his jeans. “You’re so dead.”

I glare at my little brother. “Go help Rosie,” I snap at him. “I’ll get Dad inside.”

When I take my dad’s arm, he tries to shoo me off like I’m a pesky fly. Not like I’m trying to help the man who had a mild heart attack a month ago. The man I’m concerned will have another any minute. “I don’t need your help. I’m not old.”

“But Dad?—”

“No buts,” he counters, making me feel like I’m eight years old again.

With a sigh, I throw my hands up in surrender and back away from him. When Rosie shuffles up beside me, I take Sammy from her so she can unlock the door.

“Get in everyone. It’s cold.” On the stoop, she stomps slushy snow off her boots. When everyone’s inside, she goes into hostess mode. “Do either of you want coffee? Snacks? I can?—”

My dad holds up a hand to silence her, the move making my shoulders tighten with anger.

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