AllFreeNovel
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My heart races, and I don’t know how to feel or what to think. I take one last look at the boy’s photo, a toddler at this point, and allow the image of him to burn into my memory. Then I walk off the back of the porch.
“Where are you going?” she asks, trailing me.
“I got some thinkin’ to do,” I tell her without turning around. Right now, I need to be alone, but she doesn’t take the hint. The only thing that stops me is her grabbing my hand and spinning me around.
“Can you at least give me your number? I want to stay in contact with you.”
I study her, then swallow hard. “Tell me what you hoped to accomplish by coming here, Laurel. Chelsea obviously doesn’t want me involved so what can I really do?”
She tilts her head and looks at me. “You can be a father to your son. It’s your right.” She digs in her purse and hands me a business card. “My cell is on there. If you change your mind about wanting more information, call or text me. I did my part. I can’t make either of you do the right thing for Dawson, but I can sleep better at night knowing I told you. The ball’s in your court now.”
After she’s finished, she turns on her heels and walks toward the B&B. Once she’s out of sight, I go to my truck, crank the engine, and mindlessly drive around.
Never would I have imagined that today I’d wake up and discover I’m a dad. This news was so unpredictable, I feel as if I’m living in an alternate universe. Of course, it’d come when Rowan and I took the next step in our relationship.
This could change everything.
The plane lands on the runway in sunny Phoenix with my heart lodged in my throat. All I can think about is how Rowan will react to me being a dad and the fact that my son lives hundreds of miles away from me. I took off work, needing some emergency vacation days, but couldn’t bring myself to tell Rowan I was going out of town. How do I even explain this to her when I barely understand it myself?
Regardless, as soon as I have all the details, she’ll be the first to know. While Dawson bears an uncanny resemblance to me, it’s important to have proof that he’s mine. Once I have that, I’ll figure out my next steps.
Chelsea has no idea I’m here, and my nerves get the best of me as I’m handed the keys to a rental car. Showing up unexpectedly is not what I wanted to do, but after I spoke to Laurel two days ago, she suggested it’d be better to blindside Chelsea because she’d never agree to meet me otherwise. I’m not the type of man who gets a woman pregnant and walks out on my kid, and even though I didn’t know, I can’t help feeling guilty for missing Dawson’s first two years of life. After seeing how much Riley’s in love with his kid and how much pride he takes in being a dad, it’s a dagger straight to the heart.
Considering my life was finally going in the right direction with Rowan, I feel like the universe is laughing at me. Riley always said I’d hurt his sister, and though I’d never do it intentionally, this could be what it takes to screw things up.
I feel uneasy as I drive to Chelsea’s apartment. I’ve never felt this level of anxiety before, but it’s like my mind can’t stop racing, and my heart is pumping in overdrive.
I park, wondering if this is the right decision, but my mama raised me better than to be a coward. My conscience couldn’t handle not stepping up, and running away from my problems isn’t a way to solve them. Not to mention, if she does need help supporting my son, I want to contribute any way I can.
After a deep breath, I get out of the car and walk down the sidewalk until I see her duplex. I take the stairs two at a time, and when I get to her door, I hesitate for a moment. I can hear cartoons playing and child’s laughter on the other side. Sucking in another breath, I tap on the door.
The handle jiggles, and the hard wood swings open. Our eyes meet for the first time in three years.
“Diesel,” she gasps, then swallows hard. “W-what are you doing here?” she stutters, looking around until she realizes I’m alone.
“I’m askin’ myself the same question,” I say honestly.
Her brows furrow, but she keeps her voice in a hushed tone. “How’d you get my address?”
“Laurel found me.”
“Fuck,” she whisper-hisses. “I told her to stay out of this.” Chelsea looks over her shoulder. “I’ll be right back, sweetie,” she says before stepping outside, but leaving the door cracked open.
