Page 106 of Beautiful Storm

“Well, for one, up until recently, she hated me.”

“Mmm, yep. That would make things difficult. What did you do?”

“Why does it have to bemethat did something?”

“Because you’re you.”

“Asshole. The feeling was actually mutual between us.”

“Was?”

“God, you ask a lot of questions.”

“I wouldn’t have to if you just told me the full fucking story.”

“Jesus. Okay. We used to be close but I messed up. Only I didn’t know I messed up, so instead, I made the assumption that she thought she was too good for me and hated her for it.Years passed. We started to talk at a party at an old, abandoned mansion. There was a fire. I tried to help her. She got pissed off because I ran the other way. And in the end we were both questioned by police. She was released, while I was arrested based on her statement. Cut to fifteen years later, we had sex, she got pregnant, we got married so I could add her and Jelly Bean to my insurance, and now she’s in my head. I don’t hate her anymore. I want her.Onlyher. And it’s driving me fucking crazy.”

Easton stares at me like Iamcrazy then laughs. Loudly. “Anything else or did you just give me your entire life story in less than a minute.”

“That’s pretty much it. Oh, and I obviously became a phenomenal football player along the way.”

“Of course. Sometimes I wonder why we never became friends, but then there are moments like these where it all makes sense.”

“Hilarious. Feel free to give me some fatherly wisdom whenever you’re ready.”

“Fatherly wisdom?”

“Yep. I’m ready when you are.”

Easton pauses as a server places another whiskey in front of him and a water in front of me, and when she’s gone, he sighs.

“You admitted yourself that you’re falling in love with Amelia and—”

“Woah. What? Who said love?”

“And,” he continues, ignoring me, “judging by your reaction to her being too cool for you in high school, I’d say you liked her back then too.”

What? I burst out laughing, grabbing his whiskey and knocking it back before he has a chance to take a sip.

“Okay, oh wise one.”Since none of that’s true, I know it’s got to be something else.“Tell me, East, when your wi–girlfriend was pregnant, did you ever feel different toward her?”

“Different how?”

“I don’t know. More attracted to her. Because she was carrying your child. But only then.”

Easton stares at me in confusion. “Is that the excuse you’re trying to tell yourself? Do you want me to say yes?”

“Please. Yes, that would be great.”

“Then yes,” he deadpans. “I was extra attracted to my girlfriend when she was pregnant, but it went away as soon as my son was born. Happy?”

“Yes. Perfect. That must be what’s happening. It has to be. Because I can’t fuck things up for us. We need to make this co-parenting thing work.”

“A little part of me wants to ask more… but a big part of me does not want to get involved in this mindfuck. I do have one thing to say though…” He trails off and I stare at him in anticipation, like his words are going to make everything right in the world. “Maybe you should try talking to her and telling her how you feel. And…maybe you should try actually being married.”

“What?”

“Which part was confusing?”

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