Deal Breakers (Dealing with Love 1)

SHE’S BEEN WITH HIM for over two years? Shit. This definitely throws a wrench in my get Devyn back plans. Drew said she’s not living with him so they’re obviously not that serious, but still. I grit my teeth when I think about where she spent the night last night. Now I really don’t like the guy. I need to figure out exactly where they stand so I can plan my next move. I may have been a total man slut back in the day but I would never condone cheating. I’ve always thought that if you’re unhappy enough to even think about cheating, you need to figure your shit out or leave the relationship. Besides, I wouldn’t dream of sharing Devyn once I finally had her. No fucking way.

I pick up my phone and dial Brody as something comes to mind.

“Hey, asshole! Are you done unpacking yet?”

“Almost,” I say. “I still have to hang photos and shit but other than that, I’m done. Are you planning to watch the games tomorrow?”

“Do you have to ask? What’s up? You wanna hang?”

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“My satellite isn’t hooked up yet so I was hoping I could tag along with you. Maybe you could see what Drew and his sister are up to and ask them to join us?”

Brody laughs. “Ah, I get it now. Well, lucky for you my plans happen to include hanging out at Drew’s house. I’m sure he won’t mind an extra guest. The hot sister should be there for your viewing pleasure.”

“What? I don’t want to see the sister! I’m just looking for a place to watch football.”

“Right, buddy. Are you in, or what?”

I smile. “Yeah, I’m definitely in.”

DEVYN

I’M JUST ABOUT TO walk out the door when Drew says, “Hey, a couple of the guys are coming over to hang for the games. They should be here in about an hour. Will you grab some extra chips and beer while you’re at the store?”

I freeze with my hand on the doorknob. “Which couple of guys?”

“My friend Brody and that guy you knew in college.”

“Riley?” I shriek.

“Yeah. Why? Is that not okay? I know he was kind of a dick but he promised me he’d behave next time he saw you.”

I look down at the faded sweatpants and threadbare 49ers t-shirt I’m wearing. “Drew! Why didn’t you tell me earlier? We can’t have people over when I look like this! I don’t have time to get ready and shop for groceries!”

He gives me a fleeting glance. “Who cares what you’re wearing?”

I groan and look down the hall to make sure Nathan is still playing in his room. “Drew, there’s something you need to know about Riley.”

“What?”

I blow a hair out of my face. “Well, there’s no good way to say it. Other than to come straight out with it I guess.”

He scrunches his face. “What the fuck are you rambling about?”

I take a deep breath and exhale. “Riley is Voldemort.”

“What does Harry Potter have to do with this? You’re not making any sense.”

I roll my eyes. “Think about that for a second. Riley is he who must not be named.” I give him a few seconds but he still looks lost. “Oh God, fine! Riley is Nathan’s father. Is that clear enough?”

“What.The.Fuck. Are you shitting me right now?” he bellows.

“Keep your voice down!” I whisper-shout. “Nathan doesn’t know yet. And I just told Riley yesterday.”

“Yesterday? You saw him? Where? And what do you mean you just told him yesterday? I thought he walked when he found out you were pregnant!”

“At the coffee shop across from Jackson’s house. He and Riley apparently live in the same building. And I didn’t exactly get the chance to tell him I was pregnant. We never even dated. We were friends…and we hooked up one night. He didn’t know I ever had a child until you told him.”