Page 126 of Forsaken Oath

I shrug, drumming my fingers on my leg. “Someone made a compelling case.”

Dad leans back, his expression thoughtful. He takes a slow sip of his coffee, the mug obscuring his face for a moment. When he lowers it, his eyes are steady on mine.

“Thirty-one years ago, your mom and I were struggling. In the eighteen months after Graham was born, she’d had three miscarriages.” He pauses and blows out a breath. “This is really her story, yeah? But she doesn’t like to talk about those dark days, so I know she wouldn’t mind. We never intended to lie to you, son. We were waiting until you were old enough to understand, and then somewhere along the way, I forgot.”

I scoff, shaking my head.

“Yeah, I know,” he says with a chuckle. “It sounds stupid, but it’s true.”

“What happened?”

He sighs. “After the third loss, your mom, she wasn’t in a good place. We found out it was unlikely I’d ever have any biological kids naturally.”

“Cora and Abby?” I interrupt.

He dips his head. “Miracle babies. You ever wonder why your ma helicopters those girls? Shit, Beau, Abby moved across the country just to get a little space.”

I chuckle, letting my head fall forward. I stare at the same hardwood floor that’s been in their living room my entire life.

“Your ma and I, we decided to get some help with conception. It was the hardest decision we ever made, but we wanted a big family.” Dad’s voice is soft, tinged with the echoes of old pain. “We went to a fertility clinic in the city, the best one we could find.”

He looks at me, his eyes a little glassy. “From the moment we realized she was pregnant, you were our son. You weremyson, Beau. I’ve never, not once, thought of you any differently.”

The conviction in Dad’s voice, the raw emotion shining in his eyes, hits me square in the chest. It’s a physical ache, a tightness in my throat that makes it hard to swallow. I look at him, really look at him, and see the man who’s been my rock, my constant, my true north, for my entire life.

The man who taught me how to ride a bike and throw a perfect spiral. Who showed me what it means to be a good man, a loyal friend, a devoted husband and father. Who’s loved me fiercely and unconditionally from the very beginning.

I know beyond a shadow of a doubt that he's always been and will always be my dad in every way that matters. Biology be damned.

“I know, Dad. I know.”

After a moment, he chuckles, the sound warm and familiar. It breaks the tension, easing the tightness in my chest. I find myself smiling in response, the corners of my mouth tugging up of their own accord.

“Guess that’s not what you came over here for, hm?”

“Actually, Dad, it’s been helpful. But I gotta run. I need to swing by a mechanic,” I say, pushing to my feet.

“The Hellcat okay?” he asks as he stands too.

“Yeah, it’s good. This is something else.”

“Alright, son. Thanks for stopping by. Maybe I’ll see Eloise on Sunday?” he asks, rocking back on his heels.

“That’s the plan.” That’s the fucking plan.

I pullup to the Seven Pines Garage, my truck kicking up a cloud of dust as I roll to a stop in front of the open bay doors. I don't bother parking in a proper spot, leaving the engine rumbling as I hop out and stride toward the entrance with determined steps.

The garage is a hive of activity, the air thick with the acrid scent of motor oil, gasoline, and sweat. The staccato clangs of metal on metal echo off the concrete walls as mechanics work on various vehicles in different stages of repair.

“Yo, keys go in the box,” someone calls from inside the second bay.

I stalk toward the first bay, calling out, “Nate Thomas?”

A tall figure emerges from behind a lifted pickup truck, wiping his grease-stained hands on a rag. He moves with a lazy swagger, all cocky confidence and easy arrogance.

“Who’s asking?” Nate drawls, tossing the rag aside and sauntering toward me. His lips curve into a smirk, his dark eyes glinting with a challenge.

He looks me up and down, taking his time, like he’s sizing me up. His gaze lingers on my clenched fists, and his smirk widens. “Well, if it isn’t Carter. Check it out, boys, the Alley’s little kingpin is gracing us with his presence today.”

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