Page 82 of Broken Skulls

“Then fucking apologize to her. Jesus, don’t make it harder than it is.”

I squirm in my chair. He makes it sound so easy. Evidently, I huff out loud because he turns on me.

“Yeah, it really is that easy.”

The rest of breakfast is spent in silence. All three of us lost in thought. Lexie yawns into the back of her hand.

“Why don’t you guys go find something to watch? I’ll clean up,” he tells us.

She jumps at the chance to get away from the table. I follow behind her, but a big hand wraps around my neck, stopping me. Jacob gently backs me into his chest. “Danielle and Anthony are still staying at the warehouse,” he says quietly in my ear.

When I don’t respond in any way, he sighs loudly. “I’m not saying you owe her an apology, but I do think you love her. You need to talk to her.”

His fingers slide upward, forcing me to tip my head back to look at him.

He’s right. I do love her. She was my best friend, and I did my best to protect her from Dr. Williams, her stepfather.

“I had to juggle my daughter’s safety and hers. She’ll never understand why I did the things I did,” I whisper.

His blue eyes soften. “Why don’t you just tell her about the baby?”

“Besides my parents, you and I are the only people who knows she exists. That’s how I want to keep it.” I pull away from him. He doesn’t stop me.

Lexie is sitting on the middle of the couch with her hands tucked between her legs. I plop down beside her. “These people,” I laugh.

She chews the inside of her cheek nervously. “No joke.”

My eyes widen when she leans over and lays her head in my lap. “I kind of like them,” she admits quietly.

“Me too,” I agree on a sigh.

“I’ve never sat down and had a meal with my parents.”

Hesitantly, I run my fingers through her hair, still surprised she is laying on me. I remain quiet, letting her have a chance to speak freely.

“Technically I have, but it’s rare, and I’m not sure they even noticed I was there. They’re very focused on their careers.”

She pauses, her eyes blinking slowly.

“I like it here. I wish you two were my parents,” she says sleepily before her eyes fall closed.

A few seconds later, I hear Jacob step away. I bite back tears as the water turns on.

It’s made me think … does he want kids?

I don’t think he’s much older than me. Maybe mid-forties. At least as far as I know he doesn’t have children.

My head begins to spin. What am I doing here?

This morning, I was so sure. I spent it deep in thought, even talking to his mother. I was only thinking about what was good for me, but what about him?

Jacob walks through the living room, pausing when he sees the look on my face. “Are you okay?”

I nod, biting the inside of my cheek.

He doesn’t believe me, but he lets it slide. “Okay. I’m going to get some work done outside. Just holler if you need anything. I’ll stay close.”

Every time he kisses me on the forehead, I want to cry. It feels good. Safe.

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