Page 30 of Outlaw Heartstrings
I hesitate, not sure what to do here.
His stare softens to match his gentle tone. “Fine. He doesn’t have to know that I’m his father right away if that’s what you want. But I want to get to know him,” Easton bargains, his innate charm quickly weakening my defenses.
I let out a defeated sigh, hoping and praying that I’m not making a terrible decision. “Okay. Fine. Meet me here. Same time tomorrow.”
12
EASTON
My head is still reeling after Alba’s huge revelation this morning.
I’m a father.
Me.
Easton Raines.
Hockey player. Party boy. Confirmed bachelor.
Father?!
Holy shit.
I thought I was home for the summer to relax and recover from my injury, not to have my entire world flipped on its head. Never in a million years did I expect thatthiswas waiting for me here in Fairy Bush.
Messing around with Raya Anderson was a one-time thing. A drunken decision I was never proud of.
It happened on the night my classmates were throwing a going away bonfire in my honor. We were all up at the lookout at Marigold Peak, having a good time. Then Christopher—the douchebag Alba was dating at the time—got all up in my face about…something.
The next thing I remember, I had him pinned to theground and I was sending flying fists through his smug face. My friends dragged me away from the party. The guys read me the riot act as they drove me home. Then they tossed me in bed to sleep off my drunken stupor, and they returned to the party.
That’s when Raya showed up.
She waltzed into my house and made it clear what she wanted from me. On many occasions, she’d let me know that she’d be down to hook up. But I’d never taken her up on that offer.
Raya Anderson was pretty and all—blonde hair, blue eyes, nice body—but I just always had a bad gut feeling about that girl.
However, I was in a crappy ass headspace that night. She kissed me, and a tidal wave of excuses flooded into my brain, giving me the okay to make this colossal mistake.
I was upset after my brawl with Christopher.
I had consumed way more alcohol than my 18-year-old system could handle.
I was days away from leaving Fairy Bush and I’d never see Raya—or this town—again.
So I just went for it.
