Page 51 of Wasted

"We can't remember," he cut me off. "We got really drunk, and the next morning, we woke up together with no memory of anything. We both realized we fucked up and agreed to be friends and go our separate ways. A few weeks later, she showed up in Nashville with two pink lines on a stick. We both assumed that something had happened, but we didn't know anything about conception dates, fertility windows, and all that stuff until later. After we found out it was a girl, Kylie told me that she thought there was a chance it was Caleb’s. By then, Kylie and I had become pretty close."

"So, how did you find out River wasn't yours?"

"Kylie tried to call Caleb a hundred times, but he wouldn't answer. I told her that regardless, I would help her raise River. After River was born, Kylie had to know, so we did the DNA testing, and it came back that I wasn't the father, but the father and I shared a bloodline. Then Kylie found out Caleb was sick. She didn't tell me she was going to see him until it was over, but I wasn't angry. I was glad he got to meet River before he passed away."

"I had no idea." My brows furrowed, thinking back. "But that makes so much sense. All he ever wanted was a family with her, and he was so happy his last few weeks." My gaze flicked up, meeting his. "So why are you telling me now?"

"Kylie and I agreed we'd let everyone believe River was mine, but now she wants Wyatt to adopt River after they get married. She wants her to grow up in a two-parent home out here where we grew up."

"And how do you feel about that?"

"I feel like I owe it to my brother to make sure his daughter has the best life possible with the best opportunities possible, and I think that having two parents living in the same home, showing her what real love looks like, and loving her unconditionally is what's best for her." I smiled. "And having a super cool uncle that spoils her rotten."

"Will Kylie bring her to see you in Nashville?"

"We haven't worked out all the details yet."

"I think whatever you and Kylie decide will be what's best for River."

A low rumble of thunder sounded, and Cole looked up to the sky. "We should probably head back."

I nodded, gripping my towel tighter as I pushed to my feet. We quickly moved to collect all of our belongings before riding the gator back to my house in silence.

Chapter Twenty-Eight

Cole

It was just before sunrise, and I left Taylor sleeping in her bed to come to deal with my mother. I knew she'd be up sipping her coffee at the kitchen table before she started her day.

I burst through the front as anger radiated off me. I was furious at what my mother did to Taylor.

My mother's lips curved into a smile as she looked up from her coffee. "Good morning."

I clenched my fists at my sides. "Where's Taylor's money?"

Her dark eyes rolled skyward as she waved a dismissive hand. "Oh, son. Who knows what that girl does with her money."

"The money Caleb left for her, where is it, mother?"

My mother's face twisted into a sneer. "She coerced him. That girl is a..."

I thrust my hand up, palm out. My mother's mouth snapped shut, her words dying on her lips. "You are my mother, and I love you, but you need to stop right there because you have no idea what you're talking about."

"She's the reason you left."

I shook my head. "No, she's not. I was already leaving."

"Well, she's the reason you didn't come back."

"Where's the money?"

"Well, I was going to talk to you and Kylie about that." She straightened her spine, squaring her shoulders. "We put it in a trust for River. That's what Caleb would have wanted."

My brows slammed together, a deep furrow forming between them. "What?" I dragged out the word. "Do you hear yourself?"

Her spine stiffened as she pushed back her chair, the legs scraping against the floor. She rose to her feet, squaring her shoulders like a soldier preparing for battle.

"Caleb left that money for Taylor to make sure his wife was taken care of after his death. If he knew what you were doing to her, he would be furious."

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