“Tell them that if their son ever finds himself ready to step up and be a father to his beautiful daughter, I won’t be the one to get in his way. However, that’s as far as my patience and generosity are willing to extend. They might see me as a pathetic, poor little girl who got herself knocked up to ensnare their golden son, but they’re wrong. They were wrong back when I was in Austin, and they’re wrong now that I’m standing on my own two feet here in Brooklyn.”
He gives me his eyes, and I lock them with mine, certain that this will be the last time I see them, even if that breaks my heart for Blake.
“If Blake ever asks about her dad, I will always tell her the truth, Tucker. I guess it’s down to you as to what kind of parental legacy you choose to leave behind.”
CHAPTER THIRTY
EMMETT
Following multiple loops walking around Billie’s block, I climbed into my car outside her building and blasted David Bowie on the radio, anything to distract my mind from thoughts of forcing my way into her apartment and pinning that fucker against a wall.
The look on Tucker’s face when he clapped eyes on Billie … I wanted to smack that smirk straight from his mouth.
When my phone buzzes on the passenger seat, I snatch it up and hit Accept on Billie’s contact.
“Hey,” I rush out, turning the volume down on “Heroes,” the rain having thankfully stopped.
If my adrenaline wasn’t already at an all-time high, the sound of Billie’s soft sobs sends it rocketing.
“He just left, so you’re free to come back. If you want to.”
How could she think that I’d want to be anywhere else than by her side?
“What happened, Bill?” I try to keep my tone light but fail, burning hatred toward her ex infiltrating my voice.
Another soft sob before she swallows thickly, forcing down ashow of vulnerability, like always. “We can talk when you get here.”
I’m already out of my car and halfway across the road.
Tucker pushes open the outside door, and I catch it above his head. He isn’t a small guy, but I tower above him.
The second he notices me, contempt fills his eyes.
This prick doesn’t deserve to inhale the same air as Billie and Blake, never mind have the chance to fuck up the best thing that ever happened to him.
Grabbing the handle, he attempts to shut the door—and consequently me out of the building.
Planted firmly in my palm, the door doesn’t even budge, and Tucker huffs out a frustrated breath.
I stare down at him, a smile born from anger tugging at my lips. I scarcely lose my shit, but for him? I’ll go nuclear on his ass the first chance I get.
Although I don’t know much about him or his background, Tucker Price is everything I hate about certain members of society. Entitlement drips from him, as does a misplaced sense of superiority. I’m sure his rich parents instilled that kind of gross attitude in him, and I’ll be only too happy to be the one to bring him crashing down to reality with a few truths of my own.
Billie shouldn’t take him back. Ever.
My stomach knots because I know that her choice about who she dates really isn’t my call to make. She’s her own strong woman, and that’s precisely why I’m falling in love with her.
“You can leave the door since I’m headed up to see Billie.”
He tries again to slam it shut.
“Who the fuck are you anyway?” he spits, finally relenting and letting go of the door handle.
“Billie’s friend,” is all I offer, still grinning at him from ear to ear.
He rolls his eyes at that, just as I’d expect him to do whenever he doesn’t get his own way. “Don’t you think it’s a little strange tobe ‘besties’”—he air-quotes the word with his hands—“with someone half your age?”
I look confused on his behalf. “Don’t you think it’s a little weird how much you care?”
