Page 63 of Penn

And I can’t. Those poor kids. Children always know when their parents don’t want them around. It’s a sad life to live.

“It’s not about the kids as much as their mom. Caroline’s a hag. She nags and demands. All she wants is to spend my money and have me gone all the time. It’s really hard to stay at home when you’re only seen as a bank.”

That’s understandable. Assuming it’s true. And I’ve run out of arguments. I mean, trying to set me on fire is still a big blockade, but I might still believe everything else he says. And I did love him once.

Cupping my face, he kisses me softly. “Just think about it. I’ll be in town for a few days finishing up a business deal. You know how to reach me.”

I stare as he walks away. There are so many reasons to walk away and never look back, but there’s one big one that I can’t ignore: He’s the father of my baby. What mother doesn’t want to be with her baby’s father? To have the family you created together?

But then there’s Penn. He’s all in, and he’s already acting like this child is his to raise. I still can’t truly believe he understands the full impact of raising another man’s child, and it’ll all change when the baby comes. He’ll eventually realize he doesn’t have to be woken up at three in the morning for diaper changes and feedings, and then what?

Where will I be then?

Chapter 24

Penn

The engine of my bike fills my ears as I ride around the highways and do everything I can to drive away the pain from earlier. Of finally seeing the man who knocked up Dixie and left her alone to raise their child.

The man who may or may not have tried to kill her.

The man she refused to tell me specifics about to handle in the way I do best.

But the worst part was watching her lead him outside and away from the people who have protected her since she lost everything. Having Dixie touch another man after we agreed we were together was worse than if she’d walked up and stabbed me right in the left nut.

Then she came back inside alone and couldn’t meet my eye. That’s when I knew everything I thought we had was about to be tossed out the window. No matter how much pleasure I gave her, or how secure I made sure she felt, it would never compare to the father of her child.

Her car sits in my driveway when I get home, and I wonder if she’s asleep. Is she in my bed or the guest room? If she’s in my bed, there might be hope. If she’s in the guest room, I’ll know exactly where we stand.

I step into the house, and she’s not asleep. She’s sitting on the couch with Princess in her lap, waiting for me.

“Penn, we need to talk,” Dixie says.

“What’s there to say?” I ask, kicking off my boots. “The guy who knocked you up and demanded you get an abortion showed up singing a different tune. He looks like he can give you the picket fence while I’m just a dirty biker.”

She frowns. “I never said that.”

“You took him outside and away from the rest of us. You talked in private, which tells me everything I need to know.”

Her jaw drops. “Because I didn’t want to have a private conversation in public, you know exactly what was said?”

“Let me guess and tell me where I’m wrong. He changed his mind, and he wants you back. He’s happy you didn’t get the abortion he demanded, and he’s really sorry about trying to kill you. If I was a betting man, I’d say he claims to have already talked to a lawyer, and he’s leaving his wife. He wants to be with you and have the life he promised you before admitting it was nothing but a lie,” I say, leaning against the wall. “Am I close?”

“Yeah, you’re pretty spot on,” she says, her eyes on the floor at my feet.

“Well, there you have it. You get what you wanted.”

“It’s not that simple.”

Snapping my fingers, I wait for her to look at me. “No, simple would have been telling him to fuck off back to his wife and family because you already have a man. A family. A life here that doesn’t involve him.”

“He’s the father of my child.”

“A child he didn’t want!” I shout and hold my hands up. “You know what, this isn’t my fight. You are going to do what you want to do, and I can’t stop you.”

“You can tell me how you feel.”

If she doesn’t know how I feel by now, she’s not paying attention. “This is about you and what you want, Dixie.”