Page 78 of Twins for the Mountain Daddies

I can’t let him off the hook, not this time. “You don’t get to act like this, Hank. You don’t get to hold her past over her head when she’s been nothing but real with us. She’s been here, hasn’t she? She’s been right here, trying to make something good out of what’s left of her life. And you just...you just ruined it.”

There’s a heavy silence, and for a second, I think maybe he’s going to admit it—maybe he’ll see he’s wrong. But Hank’s stubborn as hell, and it doesn’t take long for the regret to turn into frustration.

“You think I don’t know that?” Hank snaps, his voice raw. He clenches his fists, face reddening. “She’s a goddamn mess, Holt. I’m not gonna just ignore that. I’m doing what’s best for this whole damn family.”

I feel my blood boil, heat creeping up my neck as the words hit like a punch. He’s not doing what’s best for thewholefamily because a big damn part of that family is growing in Ivy’s belly.

“You have no fucking idea what you’re talking about,” I growl, stepping into his space, feeling my body bristle with every word. “She’s carrying my kids, Hank. You’re not just fucking with her—you’re fucking with my children.” My voice is low,dangerous, but the fury behind it is unmistakable. “And you just pushed her out, like she was nothing.”

Hank’s eyes narrow, his jaw tight. “She doesn’t belong here, Holt. She’s too much of a goddamn liability. You think I’m just gonna sit here and let her drag you down with her?” He spits the words out like venom.

I can’t believe what I’m hearing. “Those are my kids!” My voice cracks with disbelief. “Those babies are mine, Hank. Mine or Wyatt’s. Whether you like it or not. You think she’s a liability? You think you can just decide that for everyone?” I take a step closer, my fists balling at my sides, fighting the urge to shove him. “She’s not perfect, but she’s not the person you think she is. And if you keep acting like this, you’re not just gonna lose her. You’re gonna lose everything.Everything, Hank.”

Hank opens his mouth to argue, but I cut him off, stepping in even closer. “You don’t get to do this. You don’t get to take her away from me, fromus. You fucked up. You’re too damn blind to see it, but youwillsee it. And when you do, it’s gonna be too late.”

For a moment, there’s nothing but the sound of our breathing filling the tense space. Hank’s fists are still clenched, his face hard as stone, but I can see the tiniest flicker of uncertainty in his eyes. It’s not enough to break through his walls, though.

“You don’t know what you’re talking about,” he repeats, his voice thick with anger. “She’s toxic. I’m doing the right thing. For all of us.”

My teeth grind together so hard I’m afraid I might shatter them. “The right thing?” I spit out. “The right thing would’ve beenstanding by her.Supporting her. But instead, you pushed her out the door.” I step back, trying to keep my voice steady, but it’s too fucking hard. “I hope you realize what you’ve done.Because when she’s gone, it’s not just her you’re losing. It’s me. It’s Wyatt. And that’s not something you can come back from.”

I grab my keys and head for the door. I’m not going to make the same mistake as Hank. I’m going after my girl.

“You’re making a mistake,” I say one last time, but Hank doesn’t respond.

I’m in my truck and halfway down the mountain before I let myself breathe.

I’m desperate to find her. Desperate to tell her how I feel. I don’t care about her past. I don’t care about anything but her.

I’m scared of losing her, but I’m not going to let that happen. I’m going to find her and bring her back.

Chapter 38

Wyatt

The whiskey is cold, but it doesn’t do a damn thing to fill the void. I stare at the glass, willing it to make me forget, at least until I have to drive back up to the cabin.

Alone. Without Ivy.

I consider drowning my feelings in more than just whiskey. It wouldn’t be hard to find a willing girl. I’ve never had any trouble before. But the idea falls flat. It’s not what I want. I want her. My girl.Ourgirl. And the babies she’s carrying.

The bar is crowded, full of people who don’t have a clue what it’s like to have everything and nothing all at once. I take a long drink and contemplate just grabbing the bottle from behind the bar, wishing it was enough to take the edge off. It isn’t. Not by a long shot. The cabin is going to feel like a tomb without her there.

I close my eyes, willing away the images my brain immediately conjures. It’s not the way she looked pinned between us. No. It’s the way she laughed, the way she seemed so damn happy. She was letting her guard down, letting us in. It was perfect. She was perfect.

And then Hank fucking ruined it. But…we let him.

Now I’m sitting here like a lovesick idiot, wishing she could see how much I care. How much we both care. I set the glass down a little too hard, and the amber liquid sloshes over the side. A waste of good alcohol. If it were actually helping, I might be more upset about that.

I just let her walk into Mason’s. Why didn’t I follow her? Tell her how I feel?

She was so sure she was doing the right thing, leaving us. Leaving me. I know she’s scared. I’m scared, too. I’m terrified I’ll never get another chance to show her how much she means to me. It feels like a punch to the gut, sitting here without her. I take another sip, hoping it’ll numb the ache.

The door slams open, and Holt strides in with a look that could burn a hole through steel. He spots me and makes a beeline for the stool beside me. He signals Jack behind the bar and snags the beer from him on the way.

“We need to talk,” he says, cracking the bottle open. “I’m not giving up on her.”

I look at him, and it’s like staring at myself in a mirror. “You think I am?”

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