Page 32 of The Addendum

“Richard.”

I stopped and leaned down, meeting Jaxson’s eyes.

“I know we kid and joke, but I’m here if you need me.”

“I’m fine.”

He shook his head. “You’re as far from fine as you can be. I know you, and I know when something is on your mind. Whatever this is must be big. You look terrible.”

“I just didn’t sleep much.”

“Is Katy okay?”

I hesitated. “She’s fine.”

He shook his head. “About as fine as you are, I imagine.”

“Take Gracie and Kylie to see her today. She needs that.”

“What do you need?” he asked.

“Nothing you can give me,” I said honestly and shut the door, walking away.

Reid was at the table, his laptop open, his fingers flying over the keys. I wasn’t surprised to see Maddox and Aiden there. They were all drinking coffee, and I poured a cup before sitting down.

I had never been uncomfortable with my friends before now. Never worried about what they thought of me, because we all saw one another plainly. The good and the bad. We’d seen one another through all the ups and downs.

Maddox spoke. “Richard, we all know you’re in shock. We’re here for you.”

I looked at my best friend. “I can’t remember her mother. I dated a lot of women, Maddox. None of them meant anything to me. No one had ever cared for me in my life, and I was the same way. The only thing I was really passionate about was my career. Making money. Getting awards. Sticking it to the next guy. Climbing up the next rung. Nothing meant anything to me…” I trailed off.

“Until Katy,” Maddox finished.

“Yes. I was a dick to her at first, too. She was like nothing I had ever known. Her sweetness, her warmth changed me. I wanted to be that man for her. I wanted her love.”

“We understand.”

“This has hurt her already. And it’s going to hurt more.” My voice became thick, and I had to swallow before I spoke again. “Jesus, I’m gonna hurt my kids with this. You know what they mean to me. It’s killing me.”

Aiden leaned close and clapped my shoulder. “You don’t even know what she wants. And your kids know you’re human, Richard. It’s not like you’re going to tell them you used to be a serial killer and the evidence you hid just came to light. You’re gonna tell them they have a sibling. They can decide what they want to do with that information.”

“And Katy will forgive you. Last night was an epic mindfuck for all of us,” Maddox added.

“Tell me about it.”

Reid stood, filled his coffee cup, and sat back down. He met my gaze, his frank and honest.

“We all have pasts, Richard. I went to prison. I stole—I mean, I allegedly stole millions of dollars. Your sperm jumping an overeager egg is hardly criminal. It’s biology.”

I blinked, because really, I had no response to that.

He lifted a shoulder. “Let’s face it, a kid is better than jail. She’s pretty, and she seemed highly intelligent. Kinda looked like you once I made the connection. She walks and talks all by herself, so it’s not like she got dropped off, needing to be looked after. Maybe she just wants to know you.”

“Felt like she wanted to kill me.”

“Well,” he drawled. “She probably takes after you in that department. Center of attention and all.”

Maddox’s lips quirked. Aiden smothered a chuckle. I had to smile.