Page 65 of Reconcile
“It doesn’t have to. Say the word and I’ll make love to you every second of the day.” He takes my hand in his and kisses my knuckles.
“I don’t think we’d get much done.”
“Who the fuck cares?”
I laugh at that and don’t pull my hand from his. “I don’t know about us. But there’s one thing I do know—that you’re a good father, an amazing father. And you deserve to have that title.”
His eyes widen as he searches my face. “What are you saying?”
“I’m saying I want to tell Audrey the truth. That you’re her dad.”
“I want that. More than anything, I want that.” His eyes are shining with hope, and I know I’ve made the right decision.
“Let’s do it then.”
“When?”
“Now.”
He looks shocked as he stands up. “Right now?”
I stand and take his hand in mine. “Right now.”
There’s no going back, but somehow, I’m not afraid of this next step. He loves Audrey. That much I’ll never doubt.
39
SAWYER
We’re going to tell Audrey she’s my kid. It’s actually happening. I don’t know exactly what I feel, but I think it’s as close to giddy as I’ve ever been.
We walk into Audrey’s room where she’s playing, and Piper sits on her twin bed, patting it. “Audrey, can you come here for a minute?”
My heart is beating way too fast. I think I’m too young for a heart attack, but who the fuck knows?
Audrey puts down the dolls she was playing with and studies her mom cautiously as she walks to her. “What?”
Piper smiles and pulls her onto the bed. Audrey giggles and squirms before finally settling next to her. “Do you remember what I told you about your dad when you asked me?”
Audrey thinks it over as I stand there with sweaty palms, still wondering if my heart is okay. “Yeah. You said he’s a friend.”
Piper nods her head slowly, her smile looking forced. I know this can’t be easy for her. “That’s right. He was.” She turns to look at me, Audrey’s eyes following and widening as something clicks. “Sawyer is your dad.”
Damn, she’s good at just ripping off the Band-Aid.
Audrey stares at me in shock. “Swearer is my dad?”
I smile and then nod my head, forcing my legs to move me closer to her. “I am.”
She turns to Piper. “Really?”
Piper lets a small laugh escape. “Yes, really. Is that okay?”
Audrey looks at me again. “Where were you?”
And yeah, I think I just died. At least a little piece of me did. Piper looks like she’s about to rescue me and take the blame, but I shake my head in her direction and kneel in front of Audrey. “I was, um...” I force a smile, even though a part of me is so goddamn angry at myself for my past actions. “I was an idiot. I needed time to grow up, and I’m so sorry I wasn’t here for you and your mom.”
I can’t look at Piper. I can’t. I think it might kill me to see the disappointment on her pretty face. Audrey seems to be thinking it over. “You’re here now though.”
