Page 38 of Stepping Into Tomorrow

“You said you don’t care about Isabella?” Roman asked it more as a question than a statement.

“Why would I?” Had she said something? Did Roman know?

“I guess you won’t care that I happened upon her crying up on the hill Monday night.”

What? Was it because of something I said at the house? His guts twisted and his rib cage ached at the thought. The last thing he wanted to do was cause her more hurt. God, the woman was dealing with enough without the added stress of his freakout. He needed to have a conversation with her and put everything on the table and let her know she wasn’t alone in this. He’d make this right.

“I gotta go . . . check on something. Can you watch the pigs?” Nash asked.

Roman nodded, the corner of his mouth quirking up into a smile. “Sure.”

Nash headed towards Nova’s house.

“Hey, Nash?” Roman called.

He turned to his brother. “Yeah?”

“It’s okay, you know.”

“What is?”

Roman swallowed. “To move on.”

“That’s not what this is.” Because I don’t deserve to.

Roman nodded.

Nash spun around, jogging towards Nova’s, taking a shortcut through the woods. He exited the trees as Isabella appeared on the porch, carrying a big box. He increased his pace until he was in front of her, and he took the box from her.

“What the hell are you doing? You shouldn’t be carrying shit.”

Isabella blinked up at him, redness staining her cheeks as her eyes glowed with anger. “Thanks for your unsolicited advice once again. But I’m fine.” She pulled the box back, but he didn’t let go.

“Nash? What are you doing here?” Nova asked, shutting her front door while balancing another box on her hip.

Eli walked down the stairs with his iPad balanced on top of a bin. “I can’t go fishing today, Nash. My mom is making me help with the Juneteenth fundraiser so I can practice being social,” Eli explained, matter-of-fact.

“Not here to take you fishin’, bud. I was hoping I could talk to your mom.”

Nova emptied her supplies into the back of her truck. “Not you too.”

Too? Had Ricky been here? That little asshole.

Bella dropped her hold on the box. “We have to get going or we’re gonna be late, right, Nova?”

“Yup. You gonna hold those paper products hostage, bro?” Nova questioned, leaning against her truck.

He set them in the back and lifted Eli’s bin before shutting the tailgate. Isabella was already inside the car by the time he’d finished.

Nova studied him. “You got something you need to tell me?”

“She’s pregnant. She shouldn’t be carrying your shit.”

Nova’s mouth twitched. “It was paper plates and compostable utensils. Hardly a concern. Plus, it’s her body and her baby. She gets to make that call.”

His jaw pulsed. It’s my baby too!

“See you later,” Nova said before climbing into the driver’s side.

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