Page 21 of Everything But Mine

His eyebrows go up. “No shit. How’d you swing that?”

“She needed somewhere—needs somewhere.” I keep my voice even. “I have space.”

Diego doesn’t react right away, just studying me, sharp eyes flicking over my face. I don’t give anything away. He leans forward, forearms resting on his knees. “Is that a good idea?”

I huff a laugh, humorless. “Time will tell.”

He grins because I’ve just proven his point. “You know it’s not, right?”

I rake a hand through my hair, pressing my palm against the back of my neck, searching for the right words, but nothing comes out. Diego catches the movement, his gaze narrowing. His voice shifts, losing its usual sharp edge.

“What aren’t you saying?”

“Look, it isn’t my shit to tell, you know? It’s Amanda’s.” My jaw tightens, but I don’t have to say more. Diego watches me for a second longer, then exhales through his nose, piecing it together.

“Oh, shit.” His eyebrows lift. “She broke up with the fucker, didn’t she?”

He hates Daray as much as I do because he isn’t only a cheating bastard, he’s also friends with my half brother.

His dark brown eyes try to find mine, but I avoid them. “It’s really complicated. She needs someone.” My pulse ticks in my throat.

Diego lets out a low whistle, eyes wide, shaking his head. “Did he knock her up?”

“She’ll kill me if I tell you.”

“You’re not! I’m just a smart one.”

I look him in the eyes and nod. Then add, “He cheated on her for months. Knocked her up, too.”

His shoulders sag. A breath leaves him as if this hurts him. Amanda is his friend too. His jaw tightens, fists curling at his sides. He won’t lecture the way his dad does, but he’s a big brother to four sisters that he’d go to war for—so would I, for what’s worth. Quiet disappointment rolls off him. Uncle Tony—his dad—hammered that you don’t lie or use people. You treat any woman the way you’d want your mom or sisters treated. My friend took better to it—me being a manwhore and all. Diego holds doors and keeps promises. He won’t even take someone home unless it means something. He won’t touch them unless they’re sober and able to say the word yes.

“Jesus. What a goddamn train wreck. Poor Mandy.”

“She’d kick you in the nuts if she heard you call her Mandy. Cut them off, too, if she heard the pity you’re throwing her way”

“Fuck off. She’s my Mandy.” I know he’s just trying to get a rise out of me. He succeeds, anyway. “Is she keeping it?”

I nod. “I think so. We made a budget.” I cringe when I notice my slip.

“We, Eric?” His head jerks back, standing abruptly. “A fucking budget?” He drops back down, closer now. “Is that why she stayed with you?” I glance away, but he’s already locked in. His voice drops, more serious now. “You do know the ship’s sailed, right? That baby ain’t yours.”

The words hit in the center of my chest, knocking off my center of gravity for a few seconds. I clench my fists on my knee. I already knew that, obviously. Diego’s words, however, make it something I can’t ignore. Still, it’s a shock to him when I stand up and, with my bigger frame hovering over him, I slice my palm through the air.

“That kid’s way more than Daray’s son.”

It comes out louder than I intend, and a few heads turn.

Diego lifts his hands defensively, even though he’s smirking, unfazed. “Alright.”

“I mean it. You know the piece of shit father I got. Biology means fuck all to me.”

He studies me, letting me stew in my own discomfort “You don’t want her going back to him.”

I exhale sharply. “Of course I don’t. Screw him.” The thought of her going back to him after what he’s done makes me sick to my stomach.

“But it’s not just that.” He tips his head, narrowing his eyes at me, testing a theory. “You’re not just thinking about her. You’re thinking about the kid. You want that baby.”

My shoulders tighten. “I don’t know what I’m thinking.”