Page 98 of Broken Daddy

Even here, everything was fine. Until Nate. Until he turned cold and distant and told me to leave.

That’s not true,the little voice whispers in my head.What has Nate ruined?

I swallow, blinking blindly as a montage plays through my head like some cheesy movie. That first night at the restaurant; a hookup in the alley. But then seeing him at the gala…the way he is with Russ, so supportive and serious. Their deep laughs. The way he is with Eva, fostering her curiosity, patient with her. Even how immediately he accepted Brutus, despite acting like he hated the idea of having a dog.

He's sogoodeven though he acts sogrumpy.

I wish I could call Russ right now. Longingly, I stare at my cell on the counter and want to pick it up and dial his number and spill everything. The affair, the pregnancy, how torn I feel over Saucer, my feelings for Nate.

Feelings for Nate? Where did that come from?

But my face heats, even though I’m alone, as the realization hits. I can’t deny it anymore. It hasn’t been just physical attraction drawing me to him. It’s much,muchmore than that, which is why…

I need to leave.

Staring down at the neatly stacked meals ready to be frozen, it’s like my brain finally catches up to reality and clicks into motion.

I need to get the hell out of here, because I’m in love with Nathan Sharpe. My brother’s billionaire best friend, the single dad trying to protect his daughter fromme.

Good thing I still have a few weeks left on the lease.

Chapter42

Nathan

Nathan,

Sorry for making you and Eva uncomfortable and for bringing trouble to your door. I really enjoyed my time here and I hope you two enjoyed the food. There’s a lot more stockpiled away for you. Hopefully it’ll get you through until school starts back up, but I know you know how to order takeout. Tell Chris, Jenson, and Mel I said bye.

Tell Eva, too. And tell her I said I’m sorry.

Gen

I stare down at the note on the counter as Eva enthusiastically lets Brutus out into the backyard. Out of the corner of my eye, I see her run after him, dress flying around her knees.

She’s gone.

What did you think was going to happen, you idiot? You told her to leave.

I just didn’t expect it so soon.

Damn. I’m going to have to tell Eva.

This is what I’ve been dreading the whole time, not that I ever thought of a way around it. How best to break it to her? Would it have been easier if she could’ve said goodbye to Gen face-to-face? No, maybe a clean break is better.

It doesn’t feel better.

My phone buzzes, startling me out of my reverie.

Russell’s name shows up on the screen. As if I didn’t feel guilty enough. Habitually, I squash all thoughts of Gen before picking up.

“Hey, Russ.”

“Nate. What’s going on?”

His voice is tight. I have no idea why, because just days ago when we talked he wasthrilled. Thrilled that Gen’s stalker was temporarily behind bars until they found him a permanent home, thrilled to find out I made the guy bleed.

“What do you mean?”

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