But why?
I saw the look on Abigail’s face, too. Even years ago, she never knew about Cove. There has never been mention of another daughter. It’s always been Nate, Misty, and Emma.
Sadly, I see the resemblance. They have the same eyes. Eyes I’ve worshipped and pined after longer than I care to admit. Nathaniel has always been dark featured, and Covetakes after him. Naturally tan skin. It matches up, but I don’t want to fucking believe it.
If I do, then that makes her even more off-limits. However, a part of me remembers a conversation I had with Cove in Chicago, one in which I’m almost positive I remember her calling her father a sperm donor.
It didn’t feel like the time to dive into those types of questions, but now I’m wishing I had. She mentioned he wasn’t around, but to what extent, I don’t know.
I pace in the kitchen of the main house, needing to get away from the crowd for a moment. I can’t think. This week was already stressful enough, knowing I had to be “on” and entertain. Now, add in the woman I’m crazy about being here with another man, and she’s also the daughter of my best friend?
I’m shit for luck.
I need a coffee. And a strong one, at that.
I shuffle through the cabinets, my mind clearly too perplexed to remember where I store the cups. It’s like I’m a guest in my own home. I finally find my brainpower and sigh in relief that I stowed away my favorite cup before the party started. I inspect it thoroughly, making sure the ceramic chip is where I want it. Relief washes over me when I see it, grateful for one thing going my way.
I let the coffee brew and lean forward with my hands above me on the cabinets, fighting to regain composure. I’m known to be patient and controlled. A temper has never been something I’ve struggled with.
But today? I’m lucky if a raging temper is all that I show.
I’ve been driving myself mad with worry, wondering why I haven’t heard back from Cove. Is it because she’s been seeing someone else all along? Did she fuck me while going back home to fuck him, too?
Do I fuck her better?
I can’t figure it out. All of this just seems entirely out of left field.
The moment she stood from the Rover, I saw red. Blinding darkness. The most primal instinct took over, not giving a damn whose hand she held.
It was meant to be mine.Mine.
It’s no secret that this feeling is new to me, but I’m in too deep to bury it. Yet, something in my gut tells me I have to.
Is it because Cove is very clearly taken?
Or is it because she’s Nate’s daughter?
If he knew all the filthy ways I’ve defiled her, he would surely castrate me on the spot. And I’d deserve every second of it.
But in my defense, I didn’t know. Had I known, I would never have touched her. Never attempted to chat her up in the airport and discover how fucking special she is.
And here I thought, starting my evening, my only issue was not hearing from her. It seems much bigger problems were on the rise.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
Nate is practically family. Is he a royal asshole? Yes. But he’s also a man of his word, at least he was. I can’t speak for who he is today. It’s been too long since he came around. But he stood by my family all those years ago during Abigail’s diagnosis. Way before Kyle was even in the picture. There’s this unspoken loyalty our families have with each other.
Which makes deceiving him any further feel like a slap in the face.
I could bury this. Take it to the vault and never speak of it again. It can be a mistake kept in the past where itwas meant to be. Cove has moved on, anyway. I guarantee she’d have no problem considering us a wash.
But the twinging in my fucking heart thinks otherwise.
Maybe if I talk to Nate and see where his head is, I can make a more sound decision? Yeah. That’s what I’ll do. Try to get some answers and see why he kept Cove a secret for so long.
I guarantee Abbi is already drilling him.
The moment the scorched caffeine from the heavens touches my tongue, I feel my mind instantly relax. I’ve always had an unhealthy addiction to coffee. It soothes me, even on the hottest of days.
