Page 27 of Ace of Spades

One who just had his tongue down my throat last night.

The other who might be the man my mother never spoke of—my dad.

And they’re friends.Fabulous.

"So," Brody says, trying to lighten the mood. "I might have been a father for… you’re how old?"

"I turn twenty on New Year's Day."

His eyes widen at that. And I swear I can hear Levi curse under his breath, but there's no way I'm going to look him in the eye at the moment.

I doubt he even knew I was that young last night when we gave in to our attraction.

And I wasn't about to tell him.

"Twenty years. Okay… alright." Brody says, definitely not sounding like he's any of those things.

He clears his throat and lets out a nervous chuckle, raking his fingers through his perfectly styled hair. "I'm sorry, Sienna. I think I'm a little at a loss for words at the moment."

"Rare for this one," Maggie mutters.

"Please, don't take it the wrong way. It's not anything to do with you… I'm sure you're a lovely girl," Brody continues.

I take a sip of my coffee, letting the cup shield me from the uncomfortable feelings currently rising up into my chest.

The feelings I've set aside for the entirety of my existence. Mom never made it weird for me growing up. She took such good care of me without the help of anyone but the occasional times Aunt Lu stepped in.

But a man, we never needed one. Until she got sick. And I wondered what life would be like if I had someone else to help care for her.

Of course, I wondered if he might be out there. But then what if he somehow did know about me and just had no interest in getting to know us. I wondered if he had a thrilling life and family of his own somewhere while mom and I struggled.

Now, being here, sitting in front of him. In his giant house on an island. I realize, that there might be an even bigger fear deep in the depths of my heart.

That he would come to find out about me… and still not want me in his life.

And that's the thought that decides to seize control of my muscles as I set the coffee mug on the table and slide my chair back.

"I'm so sorry," I stand. "I should’ve never—"

Brody stands too, his eyes flying between Levi and I as if he's looking for some backup from his friend.

"You don't have to go," he says in a hurry. "Are you hungry?"

Am I? I don't know.

At the moment I feel like my insides are churning and my heart is about to thump right out of my chest.

Millions of scenarios ran through my mind on the way here. But him being accepting of this—a daughter showing up on his doorstep. Somehow I let that unlikely outcome be the one I latched onto.

"I… could eat," I say, hesitantly.

"Bacon? Eggs? Biscuits and gravy?" Maggie asks.

"Make it a feast, Mags," Brody says, turning to her. Then beaming with his eyes back on me, he says, "It's not every day that I learn I'm a father."

Wait… is he though?

I don't even know ifthat'strue.

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