Page 84 of Seven of Hearts

The stunned silence on the other end was deafening. “What do you mean youcan’t?” That fake concern from earlier morphed into barely disguised rage.

“I can’t. I have some big expenses to take care of right now.”

“But—but you can’t just cut me off like that!” she shouted. “What am I supposed to do when I get out? Have you been putting money on your father’s books? It’s not fair for you to give him money, and leave me to fend for myself.”

The immediate flip of the switch when she didn’t immediately get what she wanted told me everything I needed to know.

She didn’t care about what I had going on—not that I would tell her anyway. She never actually cared about having a relationship with me or staying in contact. She just needed a meal ticket.

“Maybe you should have thought about that before you fucked over your kids and left them to fend for themselves.”

I hung up as Kristin sat down beside me. “I know that look,” she said, digging her feet in the ice-cold December sand. “Which one?”

Kristin never talked about our parents. She instantly went no-contact when they were sent to prison and did her best to shield us four younger kids from the majority of the ugliness.

“Mom,” I said as I shoved my phone into my pocket. Truthfully, I wanted to throw it in the ocean, but I didn’t want the added expense of a new phone.

Kristin let out a displeased grunt. “And how is Cheryl?” she asked sarcastically.

“Getting out of prison for good behavior, apparently.”

She froze, then hunched forward and rested her arms on her knees. “Shit...”

“She wanted more money. Got pissed when I told her I had a lot going on and couldn’t swing it.”

“Does she know about Leah or the baby?”

I shook my head.

“Probably wise to keep them out of it,” Kristin said. “I don’t want to think about how Cheryl would try to leverage that.”

I had no doubt that she would try to weaponize Leah and our son.

“It’s hard to make the decision to put your kids first,” Kristin said. “Especially when you’re trying to protect them from people who were supposed to love them.”

“I don’t know how you did it for all those years,” I admitted. “Not just being broke as shit...”

“I cried a lot after you guys went to sleep,” she said. “I always wondered if I was doing the right thing or if I should have tried to make some kind of relationship with them work. You’re going to doubt yourself every day as a parent. I wish I could tell you otherwise, but it’s the truth.”

I wrapped my arm around her shoulders and pulled her in for a half-hug. “Thanks for being the mom you didn’t have to be. The one who was actually good to us.”

Kristin squeezed me tight. “I’d do it again in a heartbeat. And since we’re having these heart-to-hearts, I’m just going to be nosey and hope I get away with it.”

I lifted my arm. “I take back my hug.”

Kristin laughed. “Let me be clear. I don’t think you should be giving Cheryl and Bill any money. I know you paid for the house through your trust.” She propped her chin in her hand. “What else do you have going on?”

I shrugged. “Bought a car. Moving expenses. Preparing for the hospital bills. Making sure I’m chipping in for Leah’s prenatal care.”

“And as honorable as that sounds, I think you’re bluffing.” Kristin pursed her lips to bite back a smile. “I’m really good at keeping secrets.”

I looked down at the sand because I couldn’t stop smiling. “I bought a ring.”

24

LEAH

“Logan.” I knocked on the bathroom door as I squeezed my legs together.

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