Page 35 of Playing It Forward

“I’m the oldest. Adam is next. Then, Hugo and Isaac. And, finally, Ruth. The baby girl.”

“I’m not surprised you’re the oldest.”

He grins. “Because I’m a natural born leader?”

“Because you’re bossy.”

He barks out a laugh. “That too. How about you? Any siblings?”

“I have two brothers and a sister.”

“Do they live on the island?”

“Nope. I’m the only one left.”

“Ever think of leaving?”

“I’m not leaving as long as Dad is alive. No matter what he thinks. He needs my help. Besides, this is my home.”

The only place I’ve ever felt is home. Even before when Mom was alive, we never lived in one place very long. Never created a home.

“Fair enough.”

This is it. I couldn’t ask for a better segway. “Which means you won’t be around for the baby. I’m not complaining. I’m fine with it. You can send child support. You don’t need to rearrange your whole life for us.”

He scowls and a muscle in his jaw ticks. “I will be involved in this child’s life.”

I appreciate his words, but he’s not being realistic.

“How will that work? You live in Steel City. I live here. You travel to games during the season. I can’t travel around. I have a job.”

“You could give up your job. I earn enough money for all of us.”

My nostrils flare. “I am not giving up my job.”

I know better than to rearrange my life for a man. Mom was always changing her life for a man. And yet no man ever stayed. Nolan won’t stay either. His life isn’t here on Smuggler’s Hideaway.

He raises his hands in the air. “I was merely putting it out there.”

“Yeah, well. Put it back wherever it came from. I’m not quitting a job I’ve worked my mermaid tail off for.”

He taps his fork on his plate. “I won’t ask you to quit your job again. I guess I can stay here during the off-season.”

“Here?” I motion to the house.

I don’t want him here. Liar. No, seriously, I don’t. I can’t keep my walls up if he’s here all the time.

“As much as I’d love to stay in this house with you – preferably in your bed – I promised I wouldn’t pressure you anymore. I’ll find a place to stay on the island. I can always stay at the resort.”

“The resort?” I scrunch my nose. “It would cost a fortune.”

“I’ll figure it out. I’m not letting you raise this baby alone.”

“It would be easier if you did.”

“I haven’t taken the easy way in life thus far. I don’t plan to start now.”

His blue eyes are filled with determination. Too bad his determination isn’t about me. But it’s not. He’s not interested in me. He’s only here because I’m having his baby.