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"Ohhh yeah, wrong person for that conversation. We’re all part of the Shit Dads Club."

"Helpful, man."

"Look, I know nothing about parenting—and I have zero desire to learn—but if you’re trying, how badly can you really fuck it up?"

I glare.

"No, seriously," he says, suddenly more grounded. "You’re not your dad. And I’m pretty confident you’re not gonna be a rapist or a nonce like mine and Carina’s fathers. So... you’re already doing better."

"Wow, the bar is in hell," I mutter.

My phone lights up with Tess’s name.

"Hey, Hurricane. You good?"

"Yeah! I’m fine!" she says in a tone that screams the opposite.

"What’s wrong?"

"Nothing! It’s just..."

Silence.

"Carina left, and then the house got all quiet, and I just... wanted to hear your voice."

Before I can respond, she keeps going.

"Gosh, that’s so pathetic, isn’t it? I’m so embarrassed.Seriously, I’m fine. Forget I even called."

"Hurricane?"

"Hmm?"

"I’ll be home soon. Put some music on. Cook something—that usually helps."

"Oh! Good idea. Okay. Thanks. Love you."

"Love you too."

She hangs up. I start to stand, and Nate does the same.

"So, we’re saying I love you now?" he teases, waggling his eyebrows.

I roll my eyes, heading for the door.

He claps me on the back in a half hug. "Seriously, man. You’ll be a great father."

"You and Carina gonna start popping out kids soon?"

He shudders. "Abso—fucking—lutely not. We are not about that life." He laughs. "You have fun though."

I use the drive home to think.

Nate’s right, I guess—I’m not my father. I’d never do what he did.

It’s all happening so fast. Too fast.

Tess and I are only just starting to find something that resembles normal, away from the bloodshed and chaos.