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“I’m sorry,” I say, not knowing what else to say to smooth this over.
“Sorry? I’m so sick of men. Men like you. Men who just flit around and mess with women’s hearts and then move on. I should’ve known.” She circles back to the fridge, shoving the things she bought back in her grocery bags. “You’re just scared.” She flips around and grabs her purse, shoving it on her shoulder. “Grow up, Hudson.”
“Can’t we talk about this? Be civil.”
Her mouth drops. Guess that was the wrong thing to say.
“Civil about what? That you want to break up with me because you’ve developed feelings for your baby mama?”
My head rears back. “I never said anything about Palmer.”
A condescending laugh erupts out of her, but she quickly sobers. “Do you think I’m stupid? I knew from the get-go that your situation isn’t normal. Living side by side, the constant going in and out of one another’s home. The hugging, the inside jokes when you use sign language with each other. All the signs were there, but I was the stupid one who ignored them.”
“We’re just friends raising our baby.” I’m telling her the truth, but she’ll never believe I didn’t realize my feelings had changed until recently. When Matt came into town and threatened to steal her away from me.
“And now?” She puts her hand on her hip and cocks it.
I’m not going to tell her anything before I even divulge what I’m feeling to Palmer. “Listen, I’m trying to be nice about this. I just think we’re looking for two different things here.”
She laughs, one that suggests I’m unbelievable. “Yeah, I want you, and you want your baby mama. So, let me get out of your hair so you can go track her down.” She storms over to the back door.
“Can’t we be adults about this?”
She whips around, and there’s pure venom in her eyes. There’s a long silence, and my gaze shifts to the knives in the block on the counter, wondering if she’s about to make a mad dash for one.
“Goodbye, Hudson. Have a great life. If you see me around, do us both a favor and ignore me.” She walks out, slamming the door behind her.
Well, I obviously fucked that up.
She pulls out of the driveway, tires squealing in pure heartbroken teenage girl fashion. I feel like a complete shit.
I blink, realizing that even though what I just did sucks, it feels right. I need to find Palmer and confess my feelings before she does something with Matt, but I have no idea where they’re going.
I run next door and barge through the door. Harper and Adley are sitting on the floor in the family room while Harper paints Adley’s nails.
“Daddy!” Adley holds up her hand. “Pink.”
“Those look pretty.” I give her a smile then turn my attention to Harper.
Harper holds the nail polish mid swipe on Adley’s other hand, staring up at me. “Are you training for a marathon? Why do you look so flushed?”
“Did Palmer say where they were going?” I ask as nonchalantly as possible.
She turns back to Adley and continues to paint her nails, but I don’t miss the smile she’s trying to fight. “Why?”
I decide to cut the shit. “Harper, you know why, so just tell me.”
The movie is still on the TV while Harper does her nails, so thankfully it grabs Adley’s attention away from our conversation.
“Finally biting the bullet?” Harper asks.
“Harper.” I can barely hold any niceness in my tone.
She laughs. “Glacier Point Resort. Eating, and well, you know what else.”
Shit. I have to get there before she sleeps with him.
I bend down and kiss Adley on the cheek.
“Daddy?” She turns her head to watch her movie.
As I head toward the door, Harper calls, “A thank you would be nice.”
Turning around, I peek my head into the family room. “Thanks.”
She smiles at me, one that’s too sweet for Harper, and says, “You’re welcome.”
I run out to my truck, put the key in the ignition, then my own tires are squealing when I put the truck in reverse.
