Page 10 of Kiss Me Forever

I held up my hand, rage now warring with confusion. “No. I’m not going to say a damn thing right now. I need to talk to my lawyer. My family.” I turned to the Longs. “I didn’t know about this kid. I can promise you that. Because if I had, I would’ve been in her life. I’m sorry about Cassandra, but you just can’t come in here and direct how things are going to be. Because if that’s my kid, I have rights.” Rights that meant I would take responsibility and not have her be treated like an unwanted puppy kicked to the curb. If this was how they acted with me, how the hell did they act with her?

“You suddenly want a child?” Mrs. Long sneered. “Good. Because she’s yours. And you will be an adult and finally take responsibility.”

“Responsibility? You’re telling me that I’m a father, but I never knew. I don’t know what the hell I want, but it’s not your decision, is it?”

Each of them paled as the lawyer clucked his tongue. “Now Mr. Fox, there are avenues⁠—”

I held up my hand, cutting him off. “Let me talk to my lawyer.” And with that, I stormed out of the conference room, my hands shaking. This couldn’t be true, could it? I wasn’t a father. And even if I was, how had I missed twelve years of her life? I wasn’t a deadbeat dad.

The lounge was at the opposite end of the hall from the conference room, and as I moved towards it, I heard Brooklyn’s laugh, and my shoulders eased ever so slightly. I wasn’t alone in this, not with my family, not with the Montgomerys. The Montgomerys never let you do anything alone. But it felt like I was walking through molasses.

I stood at the doorway as Bella and Brooklyn looked over a tablet, both smiling. Were kids her age supposed to have tablets? What grade was she in? Did she have a favorite color? Who were her friends? Did she have any allergies? Did she play sports? Where had she been in her life? So many questions, and I hadn’t even known she existed until this moment.

Brooklyn looked up at me then, as if sensing me, and Bella followed her gaze. I turned from Brooklyn to look at the little girl who might be mine, and I saw the fear there.

“Hello, Bella,” I said, clearing my throat.

“Did they tell you that they don’t want me anymore?” she asked. “I’m a problem.”

Brooklyn tensed, and I moved forward, unsure of what to do. I didn’t know the legalities behind this, or what was true, but I wasn’t about to let this little girl get hurt.

“First, you’re not a problem. Never let anyone tell you that. I don’t know what’s going on, Bella, and if I am your father, then I guess we’ll figure things out. But I didn’t know you existed, Bella. I can promise you that.”

“Mom didn’t mention you.” She looked down at her hands, and I cursed Cassie and her family for doing this. To Bella. To me. To us.

“We’re going to figure it out. It’s on the adults to figure it out. Okay?”

She looked up at me with angry, watery eyes and in that moment, I knew she was mine, and I told myself that I’d do anything to protect this child.

“I don’t know what’s going to happen next, but I’m not going to let you get hurt.”

“Whatever.” She stood up then, and I realized that her grandparents and the lawyer had come in behind me.

“We will talk to you soon. Bella, come with us,” Mrs. Long stated as she held out her hand.

Bella sighed dramatically. “I guess I’ll see you soon. Or not.”

I stared down at her, wondering if I should reach out, or say anything. Instead, I swallowed hard. “No matter what, I’ll talk to you soon.” How the hell was I supposed to let this kid go now? Her grandparents clearly didn’t want her and yet they were taking her away. What the fuck was I supposed to do in this moment?

She met my gaze then, and I didn’t know what she saw, but when her shoulders relaxed, I thought maybe I had said the right thing. The lawyer said a few other things to me and handed me his card, and somehow I found myself standing in the lounge with Brooklyn behind me, feeling more lost than I ever had in my life.

“Reece? Can I call someone for you?” Brooklyn put her hand on my shoulder, and I let out a deep breath. As if her touch pulled me back to reality.

“I need to call my lawyer. And I guess my family? We have to do a DNA test or some shit.” A metallic taste settled over my tongue and I swallowed hard, trying to focus on what life is going to become.

“Could she be yours?” Brooklyn asked, her voice oh-so-careful. I looked down at her, and resisted the urge to count the freckles that I had always been so attuned to.

“She looks just like my mom, Freckles.”

Her eyes widened, going glassy, and she squeezed my upper arm. “Okay. Whatever you need, we’ve got you.”

Lexington cleared his throat as he moved into the room, Dash right behind him. “Seriously, take all the time you need. And well, I want to say congratulations, but that sounds wrong.”

“What the fuck am I supposed to do?” I asked. No one had any answers. Of course.

“Did you know her mother then?” Lex asked.

I nodded. “Not well. I mean, we were seeing each other for a bit, but it wasn’t serious. Then we broke it off, and I hadn’t heard from her since.”