Page 60 of Broken Daddy

Russ sounds so sure of it. I wish, in this moment, I could let go and tell him everything. How scared I am to be a mom—how scared I am to give up on the opportunity I have to go to Germany, if they pick me. How confused Nathan makes me.

But as much as Russ loves Nate, he’d never be okay with the two of us together. Aside from the age difference, I doubt he’d be happy about his little sister climbing into bed with his best friend.

Trying my best to smile reassuringly, I promise Russ we’ll catch up soon. Maybe I can convince Nathan to let me drive into the city if I go straight to the gallery and don’t stop anywhere else.

Closing the door and locking it firmly behind me, I turn and put my back to it. It hadn’t occurred to me howhardlying to my brother would be. Or how much I need his support.

My eyes start to fill with tears as it hits me just how alone I am. Tipping my head back, I refuse to let them fall.

* * *

“What were you thinking?”

Nate drops his laptop bag near the front door and looks around for Eva. I gesture up the stairs to indicate she’s playing in her room.

“Did I miss dinner?”

Ignoring my question, he strides toward the kitchen. His nonchalance makes my blood boil and I stalk after him, fuming.

“Nathan!”

“What?” He whips around, the few inches he has on me seeming like a long way. His green eyes are piercing.

“You told Russell. He came here today.”

With another glance at the staircase, Nathan moves in closer. His body is so close to mine, it makes my skin heat up and prickle. I try to shake it off; must be the hormones.

“I thought it best more people than just the two of us know what’s going on.” His voice is low, a rumble that pulls at my core. I sway on my feet and try to find that annoyance and frustration I was feeling all day while he was at work.

“Well, you should havetold meso I wasn’t surprised by him showing up on the doorstep. Besides, your brother knows, too, so it’s not just us.”

“If something happens, Gen…”

“Nothing’s going to happen.” I say the words firmly, but I don’t feel them.

Nathan is the one who came to my apartment, picked me up when the tires were slashed, stomped downstairs with a billy club ready to beat someone to a pulp.

But hereIam reassuringhim.

Maybe he’s just as scared as I am. The way his eyes drop to my belly, I bet he is.

“I thought he was here about…”

At the mention of the pregnancy, Nate’s eyes snap to mine. Impulsively, he reaches out and circles my hand with his, tugging me close.

“I made a promise.”

He murmurs it, so close I can feel his breath on my lips.

My eyes flutter.

Nate leans in.

And then Eva appears at the bottom of the stairs.

“Ice cream?” she chirps.

Chapter24

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