Page 14 of Ugly Duckling
Choosing anything sucked.
Because there was no doubt in my mind, no matter what I chose, someone would have something to complain about.
“What do you want?” Cutter asked.
“If I win…” I tapped my chin. “You have to run a marathon.”
“Deal.” Cutter rolled his eyes. “Bro, you’re on your fourth or fifth beer. The race starts at seven thirty in the morning, and it’s supposed to rain all day tomorrow. You’re going to fuckin’ quit halfway through.”
“No, I won’t.” I scoffed. “Running is easy. I know that we’ve discussed this already, but you need to listen. I may not be able to podium, but I will be far from last when I finish it.”
“We’ll see.” He sounded so confident that I almost felt sorry for him.
“You ready to go run, baby girl?” I asked my daughter.
Six months ago, I had no clue that she was mine.
I was just a man denying himself literally everything in life.
No relationships, and certainly no kids on my agenda.
Six months ago, I’d thought I’d been done with children.
Then Audric, one of my club brothers, had literally whacked me upside the head with the news that I’d somehow slept with his wife.
Though, he hadn’t been mad that I’d done so.
Truthfully, I hadn’t realized I’d even done it because I’d been drunk off my ass at a club party.
From what I knew, so had she.
Though, she’d been able to recuperate a whole lot faster the next morning and leave before I’d even known that I’d slept with her.
She’d wound up pregnant, and she hadn’t shared a thing with anyone but her best friend. Her best friend had left that secret at Laney’s grave, and hadn’t told a single soul until she’d fought her own demons off long enough to share the news with Audric.
Audric had already suspected the father of his “daughter” was someone from the club. He’d just never suspected me.
Hell, I wouldn’t have suspected me, either.
I was usually religious about condoms and always provided my own no matter what. This time, though…I didn’t know what happened.
Would never know, because Laney had passed away several years ago now in a car accident that had also taken another club member’s son along with her.
They’d been able to save Lottie, thank God, but Apollo’s son, Tavi, and Laney had died.
Lottie had officially been living with me for six months now, and we had a good routine going.
I hadn’t thought it was possible to fall in love with another living soul until she’d walked into my life.
Now, I couldn’t imagine life without her.
Which was why I hadn’t considered not running this race with her.
I just hoped that she cooperated long enough for me to run it.
“Race! Yes!” She pumped her little fist.
Since the race was literally a mile and a half down from my subdivision, I decided to walk there.
