Page 58 of The Girl He Loves

Josie takes my computer and does some searching. She’s got mad skills. “Nothing remarkable is popping up.”

Dax clears his throat. “Do you think maybe my presence set him off? I know that sounds vain, and I’m not trying to make this about me, but he accused Heather of harboring feelings for me while they were married.”

I study Dax, then glance at each of my friends. “Dax did come up in the conversation a lot. Justin called him a cash cow.”

Josie taps a finger on the table in thought. Then says, “I’ve seen weirder situations, but here’s my take.” She looks at me. “You asked for the divorce, remember? He wasn’t happy at all. At the deposition, he kept saying he didn’t understand why you were leaving him. By his account, he was a stand-up dad and husband. He gave you a house, a child, you stayed home, had spending money, and were allowed to see your friends.”

Jayne says, “I remember you telling us about that. You didn’t like how he said ‘allowed.’ Said he sounded possessive.”

I recalled the conversation. It worried me at the time. “Josie, you also said to watch out for him to possibly stalk me. But he never did.”

She raises her brows. “Didn’t he? What’s he been doing all this time? Breaking things, thinking you’ll call him for help, logging into your bank account? But, thankfully, you’re incredibly stubborn and determined to do everything on your own. And you don’t call him.”

Jayne mumbles, “Or anyone really.”

Josie points to Jayne as if what Jayne’s said adds to her point. “You don’t call him, so he escalates. He monitors your money. Tries to keep you from achieving your dreams by forcing you to use money on lawyers instead of school.”

She has a point. And it sends goosebumps up and down my arms. I attempt to rub them away, as if it will solve all the problems.

Josie says, “You need an alarm.”

Dax growls. “We’re having an alarm installed tomorrow. And whatever else it takes to make this place safe.”

“I can’t afford that,” I tell him.

“I can, and I won’t take no—” His phone rings, interrupting my rebuttal and the likely ensuing argument. He glances at the screen, then looks surprised.

“I have to take this.” He quickly hops into the living room. The sliding door opening tells me he’s taking the call outside.

“He moves fast for a guy with a brace,” Josie says.

Jayne sits next to me. “Let him do this for you, Heather. Because if he doesn’t put one in, Stacy and Brinn will.”

I nod. She’s right. Safety over pride.

Jayne continues, keeping her voice low, “Is it possible Tyler is his?”

I tell them about having my period and the six weeks between Dax and Justin.

Josie bites her lip, her tell that she’s doing the math. “Unlikely, but possible.”

I lean back in my chair and sigh. “Excuse me while I have a pity party.” I blink back tears.

“Darling,” Jayne says. “You’re entitled to a massive temper tantrum if you want.” She takes my hand.

“My life is a shit show. My ex wants to disown his kid, maybe his kid, and he’s been stalking me. My one-night stand, old college flame, has turned into weeks, and I’m getting used to him being around. But if this doesn’t make him run the other way, maybe whoever is calling will make a good enough offer to keep him around.” The words get caught in my throat, pushed back by my tears.

Josie leaps from her chair and wraps me in a hug. “I will fry Justin, simply on principle, because he deserves it. Once we get the test results back, we’ll get you a new BMW to drive.”

I know her words are an attempt to make me laugh, but I can’t. Because I don’t care that Justin wants out of our lives. I’m sad for Tyler. I’m angry for Tyler. He deserves better. And maybe he’ll get that with Dax. If Dax is his father. But where does that leave us? I married Justin out of the misguided belief it was what I was supposed to do. I won’t repeat that mistake.

Dax being the stand-up guy he is, it’s a safe assumption he’ll offer the works.

I think about how little I know about him. How we’ve been living a bit in the past. Only the present has caught up with us now.

If I had one wish, it would be to see into the future.

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