Nate perched on the corner of Roman’s desk, and Roman leaned against the window. It would have been a shame if it cracked and he fell right out of it. A real shame…
Nate pointed to my face. “You’re thinking something evil.”
I folded my arms, scowling at him. “No, I’m not. You can’t prove it.”
Roman huffed, his eyes on his phone. “I’m getting Ade on a call. No sense in having a family meeting without him.”
“I’m not here for a meeting. I’m here to murder you,” I grumbled.
Adrian chose that moment to pick up. “Who’s murdering who?”
“Ben is planning on murdering me,” Roman explained.
“For valid reasons,” I yelled to be sure Adrian heard me.
He laughed. “What could they possibly be? Did you realize he stole your face again?”
I glared at the phone. “You wouldn’t appreciate having to share a face with an asshole, especially not when he made it so you missed the first four years of your daughter’s life.”
A beat of silence, then Adrian uttered, “What?”
Thankfully, Nate took over, explaining everything. I didn’t have it in me to say it again—not when I’d only just stopped myself from going on a murderous rampage.
Roman was looking at me, searching for something I wasn’t willing to give him. Deep down, I understood he’d made a mistake, but like he’d said, there was nothing he could do to get the years I’d missed back. I’d forgive him eventually, but not yet. Not today. I had to stay mad, or I wasn’t gonna make it.
Adrian’s first response was, “Do either of you know how to properly use condoms? Do I need to run a class?”
Leave it to the owner of a sex club to bring up contraceptives. He had a valid point, but now was not the time for making points.
“At least I used one,” Roman muttered.
“Broken condom or not, that ship has sailed,” I replied.
“Yeah. I guess it has.” Adrian let out a heavy breath. “So what’s next? A paternity test, I’m assuming?”
I closed my eyes. “I’m not there yet. Mazzy and I are going to talk tonight. I’m hoping I’ll get to meet Katty soon, but I wouldn’t blame Mazzy if she wants to keep her away from me. I’m a deadbeat, after all.”
“Hold on,” Adrian cut in. “If that’s your child, she has no right to keep her from you. Roman, Nate, I’m assuming your lawyers can put you in touch with someone in family law who can handle this.”
“Sure,” Nate said. “I’ll make a call after this.”
My eyes flew open. “No one’s making any calls on my behalf.”
“Fine,” he conceded. “I’ll put you in touch with a lawyer who can help you.”
I narrowed my eyes at my brother. “I shouldn’t be surprised the two of you are thinking about lawyers and paternity tests when I’m sitting here fuckingdevastatedI missed the start of my kid’s life. Hell, while I was babysitting and loving on my nephew, my own daughter was living in the same city, and I had no idea. So, excuse me if the conversation going on around me is royallypissingme off.”
The room went silent, except for my panting breaths. I had to get myself under control before I went into cardiac arrest. I’d never felt so outside of my body, like someone else was holding the reins, and I was just…there.
Roman pushed off the window and came to me, arms wrapping around me so tight, I couldn’t have fought my way out of his embrace if I’d tried—and I wasn’t trying. Shoving my face into his neck, I sucked in great gasps of air.
“Sorry,” Adrian said quietly. He didn’t back down often, so he must have meant it. “I can only imagine how you’re feeling, Benny.”
“I wasn’t thinking,” Nate said. “Of course you’re devastated. We’ll figure this out together. And no more lawyer talk until you bring it up.”
“I’ve got you.” Roman’s arms tightened. It didn’t matter how mad I was at him; he was still the other half of me, and I needed this hug right now. “You’re gonna be the best dad, Ben.”
I shook my head. “I’ve already failed her.”
