AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“Not sure I can help you with that, my friend. But you’ll figure it out. After all, you’re a Kincaide and you’ve got a million resources at your disposal, I’m sure.”
A million and a half, at least.
But that’s the answer, isn’t it?
The weight that’s been holding me down is lifted, and suddenly I can breathe. I take a big swig of my remaining beer, relishing both the easy way the frothy liquid slides down my throat and my newfound sense of direction.
“I’m going to give her exactly what she wants.”
Mack’s brows rise, and his mouth ticks up in a smile. “What’s that?”
“The truth, and a choice.”
20
LACY
“I’m gonna fucking kick his ass.” Travis takes a long pull on his beer and slams the glass onto the table, causing white foam to bubble over the mouth of the bottle.
“Easy there, cowboy.” My fingers curl around his fisted hand. “No one’s kicking anyone’s ass.”
My brother has been in a foul mood ever since I told him what Ridge did. Arlene and Otis flush with cash is only the start of a major, never-ending headache. And while Travis broods, I try not to wallow in my heartbreak.
“Lacy, if I see his smug, pretty-boy face anywhere near you—”
I snag his beer and hold it out of his arm’s reach and try to ignore my thundering heart at the thought of coming face-to-face with Ridge. “You’ll do nothing.”
He snatches the bottle from my grasp. “I’m not promising anything, but the way I see things, his asshole move finally opened your eyes.”
Travis still thinks Ridge’s only part in this should be to pay my medical bills and for the baby’s expenses.
He can’t fathom Ridge has any other use and doesn’t know what a good father looks like. Why should he? The only thing Otis Hallman has ever been good at is getting high.
I sigh and roll my eyes, not wanting to argue with him about anything, least of all Ridge. While I stack our lunch baskets and move them to the side of the table, my brother tips his head back and nearly finishes the beer in one gulp.
He wipes his mouth with the back of his hand. “At least one good thing came out of all this.”
My brow arches and my lips quirk, curious what he thinks the silver lining is.
“You don’t have to be hitched to the likes of Ridge Kincaide anymore. Good riddance. You don’t need him.”
My lips press together to stop silly words, fed by my even sillier heart, from springing out of my mouth. Travis has it all wrong, but I can’t possibly tell him that I do need Ridge, and maybe more importantly, all I want is Ridge.
More than a week has passed since I last saw him, even though he’s called and left several messages. After the first message, which I made the mistake of listening to, I now delete them all and refuse to pick up the phone when it’s him.
His message only tore at my heart. He was a wreck, drunk even, and maybe more shattered than I am. But I can’t think about him. About how the end of us is hurting us both.
We’re through.
Done.
We have to be.
“While we are no longer together, we’ll be forever connected by the baby.” My hand rubs my belly, and I can’t help but smile, even if it hurts to think about the future I’d briefly envisioned with Ridge going up in smoke.
“Fuck, don’t remind me.” Travis hangs his head for a second.
Here I thought things might finally change. Building a life with Ridge might finally rid me of the Hallman stigma. But Ridge is out, and Arlene and Otis are spending like the end of days is near.
