Total pages in book: 73
Estimated words: 74143 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 371(@200wpm)___ 297(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 74143 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 371(@200wpm)___ 297(@250wpm)___ 247(@300wpm)
“Allow me to introduce you to the twins’ deadbeat dad.”
“I’m not a deadbeat. My check clears every month.”
“You mean Mommy and Daddy’s money?”
He shook his head, scoffing out, “No one asked you! I don’t know what you think you’re doing, but you need to back the fuck off! I heard she was with someone, and I’m guessing it’s you?”
“You’d be right.” I shoved him away. “And let me tell you, Memphis, knocking her up doesn’t change the fact that she’s always been mine.”
“How’s my dick taste, asshole?! Seeing as you have my sloppy seconds.”
“Ashton, no—”
I punched him.
My fist was in his face before Leo got his last word out. Memphis’s face whooshed back, stumbling to find his footing, and I didn’t stop.
“That’s for knocking my girl up!”
Left hook to his eye.
“That’s for abandoning your twins. You’re the reason Haiden can’t trust me! You’re the reason he won’t let me in!”
Right hook to his other eye.
He fell to the ground, weakly trying to get back up.
“I’m calling the cops!” the bartender threatened, but I didn’t give a shit. I kicked him in the stomach instead.
“That’s for being a shitty ass fucking father to two little humans who deserve to have a real one!”
Another kick to his chest.
“That’s for all the times you cheated on Sage when she’s the best thing you ever had!”
“Enough…” he pleaded, coughing up blood.
In one swift motion, I yanked him up to me before punching him in the face again.
“And that’s for sending Sage to the emergency room with your sorry ass fucking excuse of a cock!” Holding him up, my seething glare was close to his. I hit him with the last truth I wanted him to know.
“You’re so fucking lucky I’m feeling generous, or else I’d put you on your deathbed. And you know what’s even better than beating your ass right now? That you’re just a sorry piece of shit who gets to live with the fact he left one of the best women I’ve ever known. One who is hot and sexy while still being the best damn mom in the world. You’ll never get to see how sweet Haven is, how adorable and funny with half the shit that comes out of her mouth. She’s brave, witty, going to do big things one day. You’re never going to see how smart Haiden is, how clever and strong. How he protects and looks out for Sage like it’s his fucking job!”
Memphis grimaced; he didn’t try to hide it.
“Despite the fact you abandoned him, he already knows what it takes to be a real man. He’s loyal, genuine, and loves his mother and sister with everything he has. Everything that Haiden and Haven are is because they have the love of that woman. They don’t even miss you. They don’t even need you. You mean nothing to them. Do you hear me? Fucking nothing!”
“Ashton! The cops are on their way.” Leo grabbed my arm. “Let’s go!”
I slowly nodded, saying the last thing I needed to express, “You’re nothing more than a sperm donor who couldn’t get her off.”
With that, I let him go, and he dropped to the ground like a rock.
“Now…” I kicked him one last time because why the fuck not. “We can go.”
Chapter 27
—Sage—
I tried to put on a brave face for my babies, but my efforts were pitiful. They could always read me like a book, and they absolutely hated seeing me sad, especially Haiden.
“Sage, you can’t eat another tub of ice cream.” Aspyn tried to take it out of my hands, and I growled at her.
“You’ve eaten three tubs in the last twenty-four hours.”
“I don’t know what you want me to do or say. I’m devastated. I love him too, and I can’t believe he lied to me like that.”
She bowed her head, kicking around her feet.
“What?”
“Nothing…”
“Don’t nothing me. Why do you look like you’re biting your tongue?”
She took a deep breath, raising her eyes. “Okay, hear me out before you go all mama bear on me. Promise?”
I nodded. “I promise.”
“So … what if Ashton wasn’t lying?”
“What do you mean if he wasn’t lying? Of course he was lying.”
“But what if he wasn’t…”
“Are you saying what I think you’re saying?”
“Maybe…”
“Aspyn!”
“What? It’s not that farfetched, Sage. You know how Haiden is. He’s so territorial about you and Haven. He always has been. We’ve been telling him he’s the man of the house since he was in diapers. I could see him putting Ashton through the wringer. This is the first man he’s ever met. Your boyfriend. I mean, come on—he watches reruns of Dennis the Menace all the time. It’s his favorite show and the movie. Plus, Brady shows him how to pull pranks and stuff. The shoe fits, babe.”
“I can’t believe you’re saying this. Haiden is a good boy.”
“I know he’s a good boy. He’s a great boy. He’s just protecting you, and he doesn’t want to share you. He’s never had to. I could see him doing what Ashton said, okay? I’m sorry.”