Page 88 of The Drummer's Heart

“I didn’t set out to hurt you or take advantage like you seem to think,” he continued after a moment. “It was never aboutyou. Nicole turned to me to keep from going off the deep end. And you? You slept with random women and dove deeper into the rockstar life. At least with me she was safe. She was protected.” He looked over at me. “I don’t know what else you want me to say.”

He had a point. There wasn’t much left to say. I needed to stop digging while I was ahead. “Thank you for talking to me.”

“That’s it? You’ll let me go now?”

“What else did you think I was going to do?”

“With you I have no fucking idea what to expect. The last couple of times I’ve seen you, you tried to attack me.”

“I’m done with that.”

“Well, that’s good, at least.” He cracked a slight smile and stood. “Have a good rest of the night.”

I watched as he walked away but felt compelled to call after him. “Julian…”

He turned back around. “What?”

“Thank you for looking after her when I couldn’t.”

CHAPTER 31

NICOLE

Today was a big deal. It felt like I was being paid a visit by royalty, so I had to make my apartment perfect.

Atticus was bringing Christian by this afternoon, and I had no idea what to do to entertain a toddler. Atticus had come into town yesterday, but I’d told him to spend the evening with his son and we’d get together today.

My place wasn’t set up for kids. I was also a little worried that Christian would recognize me as the weird lady from the park. Or worse, that he wouldn’t recognize me at all, and I’d have to start all over again. And what if he didn’t like me this time?

When the bell rang, I rubbed my sweaty palms on my shirt and rushed to the door. I opened it, swiping a hand down my hair. “Hey.”

“Hi.” Atticus smiled, holding Christian in his arms.

The sight nearly broke me in half.

“Hi.” Christian mimicked his father, waving his little hand.

I tugged on his striped shirt. “Well, hello there.”

Atticus leaned in to kiss me on the cheek. “Can we come in?”

“Of course.” I moved aside.

As they stepped into the living room, I took a good look at them. It had been surreal seeing Christian for the first time the other day, but it was even more surreal seeing the two of them together: the love of my life and his mini-me.

“I don’t know which of you is more handsome. You both have the same face.”

Atticus put Christian down. The toddler’s eyes sparkled, his cheeks rosy and big as he began to run around my living room excitedly.

Atticus stepped into gear, chasing after him. “Slow down, Bubba.”

“It’s okay. He can roam around,” I said.

Giggles escaped the boy as he ran down the hall.

“Yeah, but he’ll get into stuff he’s not supposed to.”

Apparently, I knew nothing about the potential dangers here. It made me feel like a kid in this situation myself. I followed the chase. “He’s fast on his feet, huh?”

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