Page 25 of Seven of Hearts

But I had never felt more disappointed in myself, terrified of the future, and sickeningly guilty.

I had walked out on her. EvenIknew that I shouldn’t have done that.

Footsteps swished through the grass between the back of the house and the water’s edge. I didn’t even bother looking behind me to see who it was. I knew if I stayed out here long enough, Will would find me.

I guess part of me wanted him to.

“We have beds inside, you know,” Will said as he walked down the dock with two cups of coffee in hand.

I elbowed my way up to a sitting position and took the mug he offered.

Will groaned as he lowered down to sit beside me, watching the sunrise. “So either you hate the new mattresses we got a few months back, or there’s something on your mind.”

I just stared into the mug.

Will took a sip, then set his cup between us. "Considering you disappeared from your own birthday party, came back and hid in your room, then stayed up late after everyone left, I’m going to take a guess that something’s bothering you.”

“Are you asking as my boss or my brother-in-law?”

He looked at me with a curious tilt of his head. “I’m always asking as your family.”

I knew that was the answer before he said it. Will had never been anything but kind and patient with us four younger kids.

There were many nights, just like this, when I had confided in him about things I didn’t feel like I could say to my sister.

I loved Kristin, which was why I never wanted to be more of a burden on her than I had to be with her as my legal guardian.

“Leah’s pregnant,” I croaked.

Will sipped his coffee. “Yeah, I heard Kylie mention something about that. She’s a sweet girl,” he said casually.

I didn’t say anything else.

He studied me for a moment, his face growing serious. “Is that why you were out here all night?”

I shrugged. “Had a lot on my mind, I guess.”

“Logan . . .”

My knuckles turned white around the mug as I waited out the disappointment in his voice like the condemned waiting for the executioner. “Just say what you’re going to say.”

Will sighed. “Logan, are you the father of her baby?”

All I could do was nod. I was such a fucking coward.

He let out a heavy breath. “I didn’t even know you two were together.”

“We’re not,” I said. “It was . . . just once. After the wedding.”

He nodded. “I see.”

I set the mug aside and pressed the heels of my palms against my eyes. “I don’t know how to be a dad. Mine was a fucking drug dealer who killed a kid. Some shining example he was.”

Will hunched forward, resting his forearms on his knees as he thought, then looked over at me. “But do you know how to be a good person?”

“I thought I did.” A lump formed in my throat. “It’s all I’ve ever tried to be. But last night...I wasn’t good to her.”

“To Leah?”

---