Page 41 of Just Another Chance

“Bro, if she’s already lying, especially about having your baby, that’s not a good sign.”

Fuck.Sawyer is right. How’re we supposed to move forward and build a foundation if she doesn’t trust me? And why doesn’t she trust me? Because of what happened with Chella? Would she really punish me like that and withhold this kind of life-altering information?

“So, what’re you going to do about it?” he asks.

“I’m going to confront her,” I decide. “Ask her point-blank and see what she says. Maybe I’m being crazy, and Owen really is someone else’s.”

“What does your gut tell you”

“That he’s mine,” I say in a low voice.

And I don’t know if that’s better or worse than if Owen belongs to another man. It hurts my feelings to think Addie would’ve slept with someone else right after leaving me and was careless enough to get pregnant.

But it rips my soul out if she’s keeping our child a secret from me because she doesn’t think I’d be a good dad.

Either way, it’s time to find out the truth once and for all.

15

ADDIE

When Tanner calls and invites Owen and I to spend the day with him, my heart flutters with happiness. There’s nothing that I’d like more than for him to get to know Owen better. At the same time, I begin to panic. The more I put off telling Tanner the truth, the more right he has to become angry.

The main reason I didn’t spill it the other night is because I’m scared. It’s as simple and as complicated as that. Neither of us has said I love you and even though what I’m feeling right now can only be described as love, what if he isn’t there yet? What if he won’t ever be? The last thing I want to do is make him feel obligated to me and Owen.

Granted, Owen is his flesh and blood, and Tanner is a good man. So, there’s always the possibility that he will want to step up and provide for his son. I just hate the idea of backing him into a corner. I refuse to do that. I want him to have a choice and room to breathe– I don’t want to be like his dad and force my will on him.

Tanner arrives and, on our way downstairs, I mention that we should probably take my car because we need a car seat for Owen. But Tanner assures me we’re all set. True to his word, when we get to his Mercedes SUV waiting at the curb, my mouth drops. He has a car seat all set up in the back and I turn to look at him, my chest tightening.

“When did you manage to do this?” I ask, completely shocked.

“I had a little help from Nash and Charlie this morning,” he says with a grin. “They had an extra one for Easton, so they said I could have it.”

“Oh.” I’m not sure how to feel about this. “You told your brother about Owen?”

“Of course. And you.” His golden-green gaze darkens. “Is that okay?”

I nod slowly and know that I need to tell Tanner the truth today. But first, I want to have a wonderful day with him and Owen. As a family.

After getting Owen situated, I slip into the passenger seat and look over at Tanner’s handsome profile. “Where are we going?” I ask.

He glances over at me and smiles. “I thought a picnic lunch at the park would be fun.”

His kindness affects me deeply and I can’t even say anything back because my throat closes with emotion and tears prick my eyes. Tanner is a prince. He always has been, and I never should’ve doubted that he would accept Owen with open arms.

“Hey,” he says softly and reaches over to lay his warm hand over mine. “You okay?”

“Yeah,” I manage to say. “This is all just…really sweet.”Oh, shit.A tear slips down my cheek and I turn to look blindly out the window, trying my hardest to blink them back.

Tanner gives my hand a squeeze and doesn’t let go as he pulls the car away from the curb and heads toward the park. He ends up taking us to a cute, little local area that is green with a lot of trees and a jungle gym for kids. I get Owen out while Tanner walks around and opens the back. I turn and see him heave a giant picnic basket out.

“Oh, wow, you really came prepared.” I figured we’d grab some sandwiches at a nearby deli.

“That’s right, sweetheart,” he says. “Today, we’re having a real, genuine picnic.”

I smile and he laces his fingers through mine. Together, with Owen on my hip, we walk down a trail and find a shady spot beneath a large oak tree. Tanner pulls out a large blanket and I sit down with Owen. It’s hard not to feel like we’re a real family out enjoying the beautiful day.

I mean, technically, we are, but Tanner just doesn’t know it yet.

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