Page 129 of Just Like That

The words tumbled around in my head as I tried to quantify the emotions that rolled through me. It was the end of a frightening era for the Kings. The man who’d ruled with an iron fist was officially out of our lives.

The man whose approval I had sought for so long was never coming back.

My eyes stayed locked on the road as Abel’s truck barreled toward home. So much had changed. Dad’s death would send ripples through our family and community, but in the end, nothing would ever truly be the same.

My thoughts wandered to Teddy, then to Hazel.

A sick part of me was elated that Dad would never have the chance to manipulate her and use Teddy for his own twisted advantages.

With Dad gone, I could keep them safe.

My throat was tight, but the truth was burning a hole inside me. “Teddy isn’t my kid,” I blurted.

Abel glanced in my direction but kept his focus on the road. “No shit?” He shook his head. “Damn.”

The truth was worse, and he deserved to know all of it. “Turns out we, uh, have another brother.”

Abel’s gaze was hard. “Are you serious? Dad and the mom?” He muttered something under his breath, but whatever it was, it didn’t matter. “So what are you going to do about that?”

My eyes were burning and I dragged my fingers across them. “I’m not sure what there is to do.”

He sent a withering glance my way. “You and I both know that’s a crock of shit. You knowexactlywhat to do.”

I rummaged around the pit in my stomach, but every scenario that didn’t end with the three of us together felt wrong.

“You need to talk to her,” he continued. “Dad fucked us all up—probably you more than most because he groomed you to be just like him. Now ... we can all step up and care for that little boy as our own, but you’ve been more of a dad to him these last several weeks than he’s ever had. Now if you don’t want?—”

“I do,” I bit out. “I want both of them.” I exhaled, trying not to let my emotions run away from me. “You have no idea how badly I wanted those results to confirm what I was already feeling.”

The corner of Abel’s mouth lifted. “And what was that?”

“I’m his dad.”

I’m his dad.

Words I hadn’t let myself think or feel opened the floodgate of emotions. I focused on breathing and clenched my jaw to keep the hot tears at bay.

I’m his dad.

Abel put his truck into park, and I realized we were already back at my place. “Then you need to step up and own it. Be that guy.” Abel sighed. “No one is going to care what some paternity test says. When it comes to taking care of each other, does any of it really matter?”

I shook my head.

“Good.” Abel gestured toward my house. “Now get the hell out of here.”

I offered my hand to Abel. He glanced down at it and placed his palm in mine before pulling me into an awkward, but fierce, side hug.

He thumped two hard pats on my shoulder.

“Make things right with your woman and the kid.” Abel was quiet in his serious kind of way. “I’ll let everyone else know what’s going on. Then you need to decide—are you ready to finally take over? Because it will be you who needs to step up if we’ve got a chance of surviving this.”

“Me?” I frowned in his direction.

“It was always you, kid.” Abel smiled. “You might not be the oldest, but we’ve always looked to you. That much isn’t going to change.”

I swallowed hard and started to get out.

Abel’s voice stopped me. “You know, you’re nothing like him. Don’t go convincing yourself otherwise,” he said.

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