Page 18 of Reconcile

“And whose fault was that?”

He takes a deep breath, seemingly keeping himself under control yet again. “I didn’t come here to fight.”

“Then what the hell do you want?”

“I told you, Piper, you have two choices.” I despise the sickening feeling of fear in my belly. “You can let me find a house for you and our daughter,” he continues, ignoring my fury, “or you two can move in with me until you can find somewhere more appropriate.”

“You. Asshole.”

“Language, Piper.”

Yeah, I might actually go to prison. But I try to think about Audrey. I can’t leave her.

“I’m not moving in with you.”

“Okay, then I’ll find you a house...”

“I’m not taking any of your money. I don’t want that life for her.”

“What life? The best possible start she could get?”

I roll my eyes and clutch my stomach. “I don’t want her growing up like we did.”

“So, you’re going to deny her the better things in life as, what, some kind of fuck you to your parents?”

I shake my head. “I haven’t denied her anything.”

“Bullshit, Piper. I get that you don’t want her to be a spoiled brat, but living in a tiny apartment and going to public school...”

“You’re the worst kind of elitist. I can’t believe you.” I shake my head in disgust at the man standing before me. “You were the one who always fought against our upbringing.”

“And I’m not saying we should schedule her to the max and make sure she has no joy, but she’ll have everything I can offer her. And it’s a lot.”

I feel sick, but I’m hoping my face doesn’t show it. “Your parent’s money. Are you really that proud of that?”

“I have a job.” I cock my head to the side, challenging him because no matter how much he’s making with Linc, we both know the purchase of a house for Audrey and me would come out of his hefty trust fund.

“I don’t want your money.”

“Fine. Then move in with me because my kid is not living here another week.”

“She’s not yours,” I say through gritted teeth with tears welling up in my eyes. I hate him with everything I have in me.

“She. Is. And you will do this.”

I laugh facetiously, “No. I won’t.”

He takes a step closer to me, his large body crowding mine. “She’s mine too. I didn’t know about her or I would have been there for her.”

“Bullshit, Sawyer,” I spit out, my anger unleashed. “You really think that eighteen-year-old you would have stepped up? Do you think you’d have pulled your dick out of my sister long enough to do that? And all the other women?”

His dark eyes somehow turn darker as they search mine. “Is that why you didn’t tell me? To punish me for fucking your sister? For some goddamn high school drama?”

His words gut me. I’m sure to him that’s all it was. Puppy love drama. I was just a fuck to him. He has no idea why I’m so angry. “Fuck. You.”

“Listen to me...” His eyes hold mine, both of us glaring at each other with absolutely no trace of tenderness, not even a minuscule amount. No... all that’s left is hate. “You’ll either move in with me or you’ll let me buy a house that’s good enough for my daughter.”

“You arrogant prick! What makes you think I’d ever agree to either of those things?”

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