Page 43 of Just Another Chance

I’ve never felt so betrayed in my life. And the fact that it was Addie who did it makes me begin to doubt everything.

“Tanner, you have to understand that when I left here, I thought you wanted to be with another woman.”

“Yeah, I get that. But, Addie, this is huge. You didn’t think I’d want to know that I have a son?”

Guilt washes over her face. “Of course, but I was alone and scared. I’m sorry.”

“But you came back. For fuck’s sake, Addie, we’ve been seeing each other for almost two months. What were you waiting for?”

Addie squeezes her eyes shut then looks at me sadly. “I didn’t want to burden you or force you to be a father.”

“But by keeping him a secret and not telling me, you didn’t even give me the courtesy of a choice.” I can feel my anger building and I am trying my damndest to keep it in check. “And what if you never came back? I’d just never know that I had a kid?”

“I wish you could see this from my perspective.”

“I’m trying,” I say through gritted teeth.

“No, you’re really not. Two years ago, I was told you didn’t want me anymore from two different people and then saw you kissing another woman. So, yes, I was devastated and ran away because that night I had planned to tell you I was pregnant.”

“You should’ve come and talked to me.”

“I was waiting for you to come to me!”

“Fuck!” I try to wrap my head around this mess, but the frustration keeps building. I lost two years with Owen. So many “firsts” that I didn’t get to share, and I wasn’t even there for his birth. I know this isn’t all Addie’s fault, but at the same time, when she returned to town, why didn’t she tell me sooner? “What were you waiting for?” I ask wearily. “I just don’t understand.”

“I…” She hesitates.

“What? For Chris sakes, Addie, talk to me.”

“I didn’t know how you felt.”

“About what?” I snap, annoyed.

“About me!” she blurts out.

“What does that have to do with Owen?”

“Nothing,” she murmurs.

She’s closing down, hiding things again. I can feel it and I clench my fists. “Why can’t you communicate with me? Jesus. Lots of people co-parent even if they aren’t together anymore. So, I guess I’m not understanding why you shut me out. Because even if I had broken up with you and started a new relationship– which I didn’t– that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t want to know about Owen. I’m not my father or Randy. And by keeping Owen away from me and a secret, it’s like you’re lumping me in with them and assuming I’d be a shitty dad.”

“No! That’s not it at all. God, Tanner, I never meant that. I know you’d make an amazing father.”

I pop up off the couch and begin to pace. “Really? Because your actions speak a helluva lot louder than your words, sweetheart,” I growl sarcastically.

Addie starts massaging her temples and I hate that this is how the conversation is turning, but what did she expect? That I’d be okay with her keeping our son from me? Secrets destroy relationships and I abhor them. My dad used to hide things from my mom all the time and they fell apart long before she passed away.

“It’s probably best if I leave,” I say.Before I say something that I’ll regret.

“Tanner…” Addie gets up. “Please, know I never wanted to keep Owen from you.”

“You could’ve fooled me.” I shake my head, unable to look at her right now. “I’ll see you later.” Without another word, I stalk out the front door. But, of course, close it quietly behind me because I don’t want to wake the baby up.

My baby.Ourbaby. I can’t believe I have a kid.

I release a pent-up breath, swipe a frustrated hand through my mussed hair and try to decide what to do. The obvious solution is to go get drunk with one of my brothers. I try Sawyer first, but he doesn't answer.Typical, unreliable fucker.Pulling up Nash next, I hit send and he answers right before it goes into voicemail.

“Hey, Tan, can I call you back in a few? Easton just had explosive diarrhoea and I think we have to run to the paediatrician’s.”

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