Total pages in book: 133
Estimated words: 132332 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 662(@200wpm)___ 529(@250wpm)___ 441(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 132332 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 662(@200wpm)___ 529(@250wpm)___ 441(@300wpm)
“My husband,” I correct.
“Not yet,” Carter mutters. “Ask me to tattoo anything else on you, Char. Anything but that.”
“Char, it’s fine.” Marcel finally joins the conversation. “I’ll ask Bronze if he’ll do it.”
“Just make sure it’s on my day off,” Carter says.
While Ravage and Wrath follow Carter to his loft, I look up at Marcel. “You still want to go, right?”
“Do you?”
I’m not sure how to answer. Every time we’ve been there lately, it’s felt like an emotional crotch-punch. Either someone’s announcing they’re pregnant, talking about being pregnant, or joking about doubling-up on their birth control. If it’s not that, it’s tension between Rock and Marcel thick enough to slice with an ax.
“Charlotte?” He seems to sense my inner conflict. “I’ll do it. Soon. This week. I’ll tell them.”
This time he sounds determined and has actually given it a time frame. “I thought you wanted to go get tested again?”
He bites the inside of his cheek and flicks his gaze away. “Come on. We both know I was using that to delay the pain. From everything I’ve read, there’s no other option.”
It wasn’t unreasonable to want a retest, but I’m not about to hand him an excuse to postpone this again. “Good. Just tell me when. You won’t have to do it alone.”
“Thanks.”
Dread settles in my chest. It won’t take long for Heidi and Murphy to realize that I’ve also kept this secret. Suddenly my fear of losing them is bigger than my desire to have Marcel tell the truth.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
Teller
The secrets end today. I made a promise to Charlotte to spill this week. Somehow, it’s already Friday. I’m running out of time if I want to keep my promise to Charlotte.
Rock and Hope invited us over for breakfast. When we arrive, Heidi and Blake are already there.
Perfect timing.
It’s just the six of us and the kids. I’m never going to have a better opportunity to tell Heidi without a larger audience.
After breakfast, we’re still sitting at the table, sipping coffee and eating coffee cake.
“This is good, Heidi,” Rock says, stabbing his fork into his slice.
She beams, always happy to accept compliments. Especially from Rock. “Thank you.”
I catch Rock’s eye and nod, slightly tilting my head in Heidi’s direction.
Rock frowns and sets down his fork. Now? His expression seems to say.
Didn’t he lecture me on how this can’t go on forever?
“Uh, I wanted to talk to you guys about something,” I begin.
Heidi sets her fork down and grins at me, then Charlotte. “Are we wedding planning?” she asks with a hopeful lilt in her voice. “I know you said redheads can’t wear pink, but I saw this gorgeous champagne tulle dress with pink butterflies. It would be so perfect on you, Charlotte…” Her voice fades when Charlotte doesn’t respond.
Heidi tries again. “Am I going to be an aunty?” she asks with even more excitement.
Charlotte flinches. Under the table, I slide my hand over her leg and curl my fingers around hers. She squeezes my hand twice as if urging me not to lose my nerve.
“Not yet,” Charlotte answers.
My gaze lands on Hope, who has her hands braced against the table like she’s preparing herself to jump up and comfort Heidi.
Even Alexa and Grace stop to stare at us, although they lose interest quickly.
Heidi’s smile fades and her confused eyes dart from Rock, to me, to Charlotte, then Hope. “What’s going on?”
“Why you being so twitchy, bro?” Murphy sits back and slings his arm over Heidi’s shoulders.
I hate that I’m about to wipe the easy smirk off my best friend’s face. After this announcement, things will never be the same between us.
“I’m not trying to be twitchy. There’s something I’ve wanted to discuss…” My voice falters. “News I want to share with you.”
Rock clears his throat. “What Marcel wants to—”
“I got it,” I cut Rock off. This has to come from me.
Releasing Charlotte’s hand, I rest my elbows on the table and lean forward. “Shit, I don’t even know how to say it, so I’m just going to spit it out. Rock and I found…Well, this will sound nuts, but it turns out Rock is—Rock’s my, uh, father.”
Blank. Heidi and Blake’s faces. Totally blank.
I got the words out, right?
Heidi frowns.
Blake twitches and sits forward. “What do you mean, Rock’s your father?”
“What are you talking about?” Heidi drops her gaze and absently twirls one finger through her long, brown hair, pulling it in front of her face and studying the ends. “How can Rock be your father?”
“Well, apparently DNA doesn’t give a shit what lies your family fed you.” The fake amusement I try to inject into my voice grates on my own nerves. Why am I acting like a victim here?
Heidi drops her hair and stares at me. “You’re serious? How long have you known?”
I promised myself a long time ago that I wouldn’t cause Heidi any more pain. But I can’t tell her one more lie.