Page 51 of Let You Love Me

But it won’t happen again.

“Lane, talk to me. Did I do something? What did I—”

“She’s not my sister,” I blurt.

Meeting his gaze, I watch as he struggles to comprehend my words, and I take pity on him. “Teagan, Sophie is my daughter. I’m sorry if you misunderstood, but she’s not my father’s. She’smine.”

Shock colors his expression and I hate it. I want to wash it away.

“But . . .” His eyes cloud, and I can practically see him counting back the years, trying to discern how it’s possible.

“I was almost seventeen when I got pregnant.” I force something resembling a smile, but it’s brittle and weak and my chin wobbles.

I hate that, too.

“Bet you’re glad we’re just friends, huh?”

Chapter 12

TEAGAN

Lane climbs inside hercar while I stand there, frozen.

Her words replay in my head as I try to make sense of them but for some reason, they won’t compute.

“Lane, wait,” I yell, scrambling for the car, but it’s too late. She’s already pulling away as I run after her and reach out.

I miss the back of her car, my hands finding nothing but air as she drives out of the parking lot and onto the road.

I’m too late. Took too long to process.

I’m a fucking idiot.

“Shit!” I shove my hands in my hair, the red glow of her taillights disappearing from view.

She’s not my sister . . .

Teagan, Sophie is my daughter . . .

Bet you’re glad we’re just friends now, huh?

I close my eyes as the truth sinks in.

I’m a damn fool, a complete and utter fucking moron.

The evidence was all there. Lane never once led me to believe Sophie was anything but hers, and yet I just assumed, saw what I wanted to see.

The memory of the hurt flaring in her eyes stabs me in the chest.

Any chance I might have had of convincing her we should be more than friends has died with my blunder, I’m sure of it.

Ifyou still want her . . .

Do you?

I do. Of course I fucking do.

My answer comes quickly, like a punch to the gut, along with the knowledge it’s no longer as simple as wanting her.

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