Easton

“Do you really think a guy like Liam Knight would offer this without something in return?” Karson asked.

“You don’t know him, Karson.”

“What if he didn’t know the whole truth?” Karson asked.

“He did. Scar and Liam share everything together.”

“How sweet,” Romeo said. “There has to be some lies going on. All relationships work on lies.”

“Not all of them,” Axton said.

“True, but white lies are the key to any relationship surviving.”

“I didn’t lie to Scar when I was with her. I couldn’t.”

“How did it end between the two of you?” Axton asked. “You never mentioned her.”

“You did look like death when you came off the camp. I always figured it was because of Carla,” Romeo said.

“He didn’t love Carla. We all know that,” Karson said.

Easton glared at his friend. “I did.”

“No. You didn’t. It’s why you went off the deep end. With Taylor around, I bet horrible guilty feelings have been manifesting in all kinds of badness of late. We need to fire Penny. I don’t care that she was rude to Liam. Bastard probably deserved it, but she’s bad for business.”

“Then handle it,” Axton said. “What are you going to do about this thing with Liam? If you have any feelings for Scarlett at all, you’re going to have to nip them in the bud.”

“I, I want to know my son. I do know that. When it comes to Scar, I don’t know. I don’t have a clue what to do. She’s the mother of my son, and I’ve … missed her.”

“You’ve missed her in what way?” Romeo asked.

“I’ve thought about her many times over the years. What I did. How I ended it. It was bad. I don’t know what to do, guys. I’m sorry.” He ran a hand over his face, feeling like the worst kind of man in the world. “Everything is happening so fast.”

When Liam had been in the office, he had truly felt like he could handle anything. He took a bite of the bagel, and the spinning in his stomach stopped. He sipped at the coffee. It was sweet and hot, and went well with the bagel.

“I can’t walk away from this. I have a son, and I want the chance to know him. For him to know me. I played with him last night. With the toy car I bought him. He’s eleven but at least I got the chance of that.”

“You ever thought about petitioning for custody of him?” Karson asked. “She had him for the first eleven years. You got nothing. Now you can have him completely. It’s a win-win for you.”

“No, I’m not going to do that.” Liam wouldn’t allow it. “He’s offering me a chance at weekends.”

“You’re going to be a weekend dad?” Romeo asked.

“For now. I just want to get to know my son.” He paused. “My son.”

“Yeah, it has a nice ring to it,” Axton said.

“Wow, I’m a dad.”

“You’re only just realizing this?” Karson asked.

“No, I mean, I knew that I was a dad, but now that I’m faced with it, and it’s all so new, you know. I’m a father. I’ve got a son.” He ran a hand down his face in an attempt to clear the fog. It didn’t work. “What if I turn into my father?”

He looked at each of his friends.

“Not possible,” Romeo said.

“My father was a monster.”

“Exactly. It’s why you’ll never be him. Already you want to do right by your son. Do you think Liam’s an okay guy?” Axton asked.

“I don’t know. I don’t really know him. Junior was happy around him, and Scarlett, well, she’s more than okay.”

He’d seen the arousal on her last night. It wasn’t exactly hard to see. The dress she wore showed just how happy she was to have Liam’s hands all over her. He wasn’t jealous. Scarlett wasn’t his.

He’d given up that right to her.

“I’m going to do it. Weekends I’ll spend with Junior. If you need me for anything, call me or email me. I want to get to know my son.” He also wanted to get to know the girl he’d left behind.

Chapter Eight

Over eleven years ago

“You’re a hard one to pin down,” Scarlett said, taking a seat beside Easton. He sat on one of the logs, staring into the burning flames.

“Am I that obvious?”

“Did I do something wrong? Is that why you’re ignoring me?” She tucked some hair behind her ear. She’d been considering a haircut for a couple of months. It had taken her years to grow her hair this long, but at moments like this, it always seemed to get in the way.

“You couldn’t do anything wrong.” He smiled. “At least I can tell everyone I know I’ve taught you how to swim.”

“You did, and you were super patient with me.”

“Why didn’t you learn before?” he asked. “You clearly come to camp often. The kids know you.”