The Closer You Come (The Original Heartbreakers, #1)(105)

Jase didn’t need a DNA test. In his heart, he knew the truth. Break out the pink cigars. I’m a dad.

He was scared as hell he’d do a bad job with Hope, maybe scar her emotionally because he had no idea how to love a kid, and she’d have to spend a few decades in therapy, but he did love her. Just a few minutes alone with her had sealed the deal.

You’re really my dad?

I am.

I’m glad. I’ve been dreaming of you my whole life.

He’d toppled head over heels then and there. And yeah, for a guy who’d professed to never want kids, he’d sure fallen for this one fast and hard. But then, he hadn’t known what he’d been missing.

“I found out I was pregnant the day before Jase’s sentence,” Daphne said. “I was scared, but I thought I could find another guy and everything would be okay. Jase had no money, no prospects and no future. I wanted someone who had those things. But the one I picked stuck around only until I began showing. I got a job as a receptionist at a law firm and went to night school to become a court stenographer, knowing I’d need a way to support the baby on my own. And I did it. I finished, was making something of my life, but Jase was still in prison. I just...I didn’t want Hope to see him behind bars.”

Good call. But if he’d known about her, at the very least, he could have been there for her, providing money, a home, food, clothes. Anything she’d needed, everything she’d wanted.

“Where does she think he’s been?” Beck asked.

Daphne plucked a piece of lint from her shirtsleeve. “In another country, helping starving children.”

A saint rather than a sinner. Of course. “I’ll be telling her the truth,” Jase said. “Soon.” The thought of his own daughter fearing him caused him to break out in a cold sweat, but he wasn’t going to lie to her or risk someone else telling her. He also wasn’t going to allow her to think he’d put other kids before her.

“He’s been out for over six months,” West said, anger tightening his voice. “You’ve had plenty of time to create another lie about her dad’s return.” The wound on his forehead had begun to heal, but the wounds in his soul had begun to leak their poison.

He once again smelled of the most potent alcohol.

“Well,” she said, casting Jase a look filled with remorse. “I thought about it, I did, but I wasn’t sure how Jase would feel, if he would care. But I was just fooling myself. I see that now. I was scared. I’ve been in a stable, loving relationship for almost three years now, and I didn’t want to screw that up. But Tyler is in the military. The army. He’s currently overseas, left last week, and he’ll be gone for six months. That’s why I decided to answer Beck’s email.”

“Is he good to Hope?” Beck asked.

It was a question Jase had asked, as well.

“Very. He loves her like she’s his own.”

But she’s not his. She’s mine. And he adored that little girl with every fiber of his being.

“You’ll have to tell him about me, Daph.” Jase pinned her with a hard stare. “I’m going to be a part of Hope’s life.” Now and forever.

“I know,” she said, surprising him. “If he’s able, he’s going to video chat with me later tonight. I plan to tell him then.”

“And that’s going to make everything better?” West exploded. “You left without a word, hid a secret for nine years and think you can come back as if you’ve done nothing wrong?”

Daphne stiffened.

“West,” Jase said. “I love you, man, but I won’t let you talk to her like that.”

“Someone has to look out for you.” West’s gaze practically spewed fire as it landed on Jase. “I didn’t before, but I will now.”

He closed his eyes for a moment, drew in a breath. This was what guilt did, he realized. Tore down. Left you in a rut. Unable to move forward. And Jase didn’t want to live like that any longer. He didn’t want his friends to live like that.

He stood, walked to the couch where West and Beck sat and eased onto the coffee table in front of them, his attention remaining on West. “Let it go,” he said softly. “It’s time. The past is a noose around your neck, and it’s choking the life out of you.” He looked to Beck. “You, too. You just hide it better.”

Both men focused on something other than Jase and remained silent.

“I want better for you. I want better for me.” He patted each of their knees. “I want my friends back. The ones who see me as an equal, not someone they owe.”

Again, silence.

“I’m asking you to move forward. Therefore, you have to move forward,” he continued. “You’ve paid enough. I’ve paid enough. We’re going to enjoy life. Finally.” He gave them another pat before standing and meeting Daphne’s watery gaze. “I’m really glad you found your happily-ever-after.”

“Me, too. I hope you find yours.”

“I’m working on it.”





CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

BROOK LYNN SANG and danced through the kitchen as she put together orders for You’ve Got It Coming. Twenty-three sandwiches and six casseroles. But the growing business wasn’t what had put her in such a great mood. Jase had come over last night, and he’d rocked her world. Stripped her, touched her. Loved her.