Wait…for fuck’s sake, he abandoned her, didn’t he? Is that why Cove appeared so detached, calling himspermdonor? Has Nate ever been anything to Cove, or is this a facade? She’s here with him now, though, so that must mean something? Maybe they’re trying to make amends.
I’m a firm believer that it’s never too late to try andmake things right. But not everything is forgivable. Or at least, necessary to forget.
I don’t have enough ammunition to question it since everything is sudden news to me. I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt until proven otherwise.
But my gut tells me something is very wrong.
“So, what changed? Why get to know her all of a sudden?”
He rolls his eyes and I know it shouldn’t, but my skin crawls. I’m becoming very protective over this woman. “Cove reached out a while back, crying about how much she wanted to know me, and I caved. Figured I could try. Misty and Emma don’t have a clue, and I intend to keep it that way. Don’t need someone interfering with my life and ruining the family I already have. I had the idea to introduce her to Austin initially as a buffer, and it turns out they really hit it off. It worked out that he’s my business partner’s son. Well, soon-to-be partner. We’re in the middle of a deal. Days away from making it official, actually.”
“You caved? Nate, she’s your fucking daughter. That’s not interfering with your life. She has a right to be there.”
“That’s what they keep telling me. I’m trying, Stetson. Give me a break. She’s a wild one. Argues with fucking everything and nothing like I expected. Her mother was never that way.”
“Maybe because she’s not her mother. She’s her own person. Ever think of that?” I know I’m getting defensive, but this side of him is not a good look, and I don’t give a shit how long we’ve been friends.
He squints, staring at me like he’s sizing me up. I don’t like it. “You stay away from her, Stetson. She’s got baggage. Don’t let her fatherless sob story make you feel bad for her. And not to mention, she has a boyfriend she plans to marry. I need this relationship to work out.”
I’m talking to a stranger.
I rear back, his comment registering like a concrete block on my chest. “Marriage? That quick? Didn’t you just introduce them?”
“Yes. Marriage. I guess when you know, you know. It’s for the best.” Stone-cold Nate McIntosh is back. I know it’s been a while since we’ve seen each other, but I don’t remember him ever being this much of a dick.
Or maybe it’s because I’m learning about his hidden secret, when all along I thought we knew everything there was to know about each other. I’m at a crossroads in my mind. In more ways than one, I owe Nate my loyalty. He helped Abbi through some of the hardest times in her life, one of the main reasons I’ve always respected him so much.
But hearing him talk right now…he sounds nothing like the man he once was. The friend I once had.
“Does Cove know about this marriage proposal?”
“She does, and she’s on board with it. I mean it, Stetson. Stay away from her. She’s no good. Don’t test me on that.”
“The thought never even crossed my mind,” I tell him, lying through my goddamn teeth. “Just showing I care because you know…she’s your fucking kid, Nate.”
“Good, because she’s a part of my world now. She has no business being in yours. Let’s keep it that way.” Nate inspects the wilting flower field. “Now, where do we start?”
“You take this end and I’ll start over there. Make sure you cover the roots and pack the new soil down deep.”
That conversation did not go as planned.
I thought doing something labor intensive with Nate before dinner would be a good time for us to catch up. Also expected him to be a bit more open and forthcoming about this life bomb he dropped. By the shock Abbidisplayed, I could tell she was just as blindsided as me, which only confirms the level at which Nate went to keep Cove hidden.
She doesn’t deserve to be someone’s dirty secret.
Such a disgrace to her dignity.
I went into this conversation hoping for answers, and all I got were roundabout responses that aren’t gonna cut it for me. Never did picture myself playing detective, but here I am.
If Nate is the reason I can’t have Cove, then I want to know damn well why. Austin is nothing but a measly stone I can easily kick to the side.
It’s my best friend that will be the challenge.
CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO
cove
“Whatever our souls are made of, his and mine are the same.”
