Page 106 of Sugarloaf Ridge Lies

Chapter Thirty-Three

Jerry

Liv and Daynah retreatto the kitchen for snacks and tea. The worn timber floor of the porch creaks as Finn paces back and forth. What’s going on with him? Is it our news or something else?

“I’ll grab us a beer,” I say and leaving him to his pacing.

When I return, Finn is sitting on the porch steps, elbows on his knees, eyes on the weeds that litter the garden path. I tap the bottom of the beer bottle on his shoulder.

He reaches for it, but I can’t tell if he’s smiling or not.

I sit beside him and take a long pull from the brown bottle. “Wanna tell me what’s on your mind?”

Finn gulps at his beer and huffs out a breath. He takes off his dusty hat and rakes his hand through his wild hair. “You’re not rushing into this, are ya?”

Fuck me. One minute he’s happy Liv and I back together and now he’s doubting it? Is it because we’re having a kid?

“No. Do I have your support or not?” I bite out.

“Woah, settle down. I’m happy for you, Jer. But I’ll be honest with you. You barely know her.”

“I know her enough to recognise I’m in love with her.”

He scrapes his hand down his face. “Yeah, okay, but—”

“How well did you know Daynah, when you fell head over heels, huh?” I bump my shoulder against his.

“Forget about me and Daynah for a sec. Tell me... how well does Liv know you?”

I swig from my bottle and shrug. “We’ve talked.”

“Mate, I like Liv, I do. But she wants to bring up a child with you. That’s a whole different ball game.”

“And?”

“I’m guessing she doesn’t know the truth about the bakery?”

“No, why? You think she’ll run a mile?”

“No, but it might explain why you want to father her child. Why you’re ready to go all in.”

I rub my fingers across my forehead. “That’s not the only reason, Finn. I fuckin’ love her. I’d do anything for her.”

“What about the father? Daynah told me a while back the baby isn’t yours.”

Flames lick at my insides when I imagine another man holding Liv, touching her.Impregnating her.

“He won’t be a problem.”

“No? How can you be sure?”

“Because Liv said.”

His eyes widen. “She’s been in contact with him?”

I open my mouth to speak but close it. I have no idea because we barely scratched the surface as far as he’s concerned.

He grips my shoulder. “I’m glad you’ve found love, brother. I truly am, and I’m sure I don’t need to remind you of this, but that child, one day will wanna know the truth.”

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