Page 85 of Totally Off Limits

“Mia’s my daughter, isn’t she?”

As if the world started spinning faster underneath her feet, Sierra grabbed the counter behind her to steady herself. But maybe by deflecting she could save the situation. “What makes you think that?”

“You’re really gonna play that game? Okay. Then who’s her father, Sierra?”

“I told you—”

“You didn’t tell me shit. In fact, I’m pretty fucking sure every time I asked, you distracted me from the conversation. So I have to ask why that is.” Staring her down, he added, “I think we both know why.”

As he paused to down another large gulp of beer, Sierra said, “Would you please—”

“Stop. You’re not going to distract me again. Just answer the question:am I Mia’s dad?”

He was right about one thing—she couldn’t do this anymore. No more lying, no more dodging and pretending. It was as if confessing the truth to Layne made it easier to tell not just Mickey but the whole world.

Swallowing the saliva that had pooled in her mouth, Sierra let out a long breath—but her eye contact would not falter. She couldn’t let it. She had to be brave and tell him the truth, no matter what it brought down the road.

“Yes.”

Mickey’s charcoal eyes grew large, almost as if he didn’t believe it—but then he took another long swig of the beer and slammed it down on the table. “I knew it. I fucking knew it. Why didn’t you tell me?”

“You weren’t here, Mickey. You were gone.”

“Oh, no. You don’t get to play the martyr, Sierra. No fucking way. Fine. I was gone. Let’s use that excuse. But did you even try to find me?” Before Sierra could even try to grab on to some words, he continued. “Why didn’t you tell me at Johnny’s wedding? Or any of the times we fucked?”

Jesus, he made it sound so crass. But maybe he was right. Maybe that was all they were—fuck buddies who had a hard time keeping their hands off each other.

Still…she could see the hurt in his eyes. God, she was such an asshole.

“Let me explain…”

And then Rebecca Hayden’s voice popped into Sierra’s head, as clear as a bell.Who would be the better father for Mia, Sierra? Mickey, the bad boy rock star who curses and drinks and barely stopped smoking a couple of weeks ago? He’s from a bad family, an abusive father, a mother who abandoned him. Austin is a role model. A college graduate. A lawyer. The owner of an old Colorado business and an upstanding citizen. Besides, he was your first love. And he’s buying a home for you and your child. You already know which man I’ve chosen.

Indeed, she did, because her mother had all but set the date.

“Nothing you say would make it okay.”

Why, of all the times in her fucking life, was a tear forming in her eye? It blurred her vision on the left side, even as she blinked, but it wasn’t his words that had hurt her.

It was because of how she’d made him feel, a secretly kind soul who didn’t deserve what she’d done.

Her voice soft, she touched his arm. “Mickey, I didn’t do it to hurt you.”

Then his expression changed from anger, frustration, and hurt to something more neutral, almost apathetic. It was like he’d shut something off inside himself. Still, he searched her eyes before drinking what was left in the brown bottle and turned, slamming it on the counter, forcing her hand to drop. “I don’t care why you did it. It was selfish.”

Was it?

“You said you didn’t want to be a dad.”

“That’s what I thought—but you didn’t even give me a fucking chance.”

As he turned to walk away, she took a couple of steps forward, raising her voice. “I don’t think you should drive in your condition.”

Had his eyes been bullets, his glance would have shot and killed her, but she imagined she deserved it. “You don’t care, so don’t even fucking pretend.” Then he turned and, at first, she thought he was going to leave as he grabbed the carton of remaining beer. Instead, he paused as his focus shifted to the vase of red roses. Snatching the card from the plastic pick inserted in the bouquet, he examined her name.

Her heart sunk lower in her chest as she remembered Austin’s words:My dear Sierra: Here’s to new beginnings and reigniting what we once had. Love, Austin

Reading that card would only devastate Mickey further, but she was done hiding.

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