Kerr froze, his face shifted into confusion, and he crossed his arms. “What do you mean?” he asked in a softer tone.
I looked across the space at Nina. I watched as she ate a piece of cake, looking so happy. “I complimented her in the car, and she forced a smile.” I pointed towards Nina. “I haven't seen that smile slip once since she got her. That is her genuine smile. You made her do that, not me.”
Kerr made a face. “What exactly did you say in the car?”
“I said she looked nice.”
Kerr frowned. “Nice? You said she looked nice? Anyone can say she looks nice. Friends say you look nice. You're her husband. You should have said something a little more. Even if you don't love her, she will be your child's mother. You two should be on good terms.”
“We are on good terms,” I said with a sigh. “This is just…” I waved a hand. “I’m not a soft and gooey person like you are. I don’t know how to..I just…this is…”
Kerr's face softened. “Wow, I don’t think I’ve ever seen you at a loss for words like this.”
“Shut up,” I grumbled, rubbing a hand over my face.
Kerr chuckled. “My advice, and I know how hard this is going to be for you, be nice. Stop thinking like an Alpha and just talk with her.”
I looked away from him, searching the crowd for Nina. I spotted her and felt my shoulders relax slightly.
“Why don't you go and work on that?” Kerr said, pointing his head in Nina's direction. I watched as she moved away from the girls, going towards the punch. I swallowed, suddenly nervous.
“Fine.”
I walked across the room, my eyes glued on Nina. I tried to think of some compliment, something a little more heartfelt than you look nice. I had no problem doing so while we were fucking, so I shouldn't struggle.
But as I got closer, I saw a man pause next to Nina. She was reaching for a drink and turned. I kept walking as he spoke to her. Her eyes widened slightly, and her smile slipped. I watched hurt cross her face, and her fingers tightened on her drink.
“You do realize that Frank only got you pregnant because he had to, not because he wanted to, right? All of this is because your name was spit out of a machine, but if I were Katie, I would have run it again to be sure.”
Rage built up so quickly, and I didn't realize what I was doing until I had done it. I grabbed the man, coiling my arm up, and punched him in the face.
Chapter 17 - Nina
My body froze up as Justin stood in front of me. He had always been an asshole of a person anytime I was around. He was quick to point out my flaws, and anything good going for me was quickly ripped to shit.
He was one of the cruelest people from Jay's pack who liked making my life a living hell. It was like a game for him, waiting to see when I would fall apart.
“Justin,” I gave him a nod, hoping I could just slip away. I just wanted my punch, and then I was going back to my table, my safe space. I didn't want to mingle like Frank said I could. I just wanted to relax, and being near Justin was going to ruin that.
Justin, however, smirked as he stepped close to me. He blocked my path, not letting me slip by. “Evening, Nina. Seems you climbed the ladder.”
I swallowed, trying to search for words. Trying to think of anything. But Justin grabbed my arm, holding me there. “You do realize that Frank only got you pregnant because he had to, not because he wanted to, right? All of this is because your name was spit out of a machine, but if I were Katie, I would have run it again to be sure.”
It hit hard, and I felt tears bloom quickly. I was well aware that Frank only fucked me because he had to. He'd made that very clear. This party was just a cover-up, so he had people thinking he cared, but he hadn't even put it together. Kerr had. He'd spent hours working on making sure this was put together for me.
But before I could even say anything, Frank yanked Justin off the ground and punched him. Justin fumbled backinto the table, taking out the punch and everything else on the table. The gifts all fell off the following table as the first one rammed into it. The tables were loud as they tipped over, and the crash echoed.
Frank snarled at Justin, and my head snapped back to them. “What the fuck are you implying?”
I felt my fingers shake as Frank looked ready to beat the shit out of Justin. I quickly grabbed Frank, trying to pull him back. “Frank, stop!”
Justin wiped at his lip, which was busted. He looked shocked as he tried to pull himself up. “Frank, let go!”
Frank didn't. His fingers tightened around Justin's shirt. “Don't bother lying. I heard you. I heard what you said to her.”
Justin went a little pale, and Frank pulled forward, pulling his hand up to punch Justin again. I quickly yanked him back, stepping in front of him. “Stop. You can't fight with him.”
Frank turned her eyes on me and growled. “I'll do whatever I damn well please! He's not going to talk to you like that.”
