Nik brow furrows as he asks, “Which man?”
Oh, crap!
I start, “Tata, nemoj!”
But it’s too late, dad blurts out, “The fuck bastard, Jess!” Dad can’t say Jace properly.
Nik turns to me, his eye twitches and he repeats, “Jace? As in, that Jace?”
Oh, Shit!
I don’t normally swear but this is an Oh, Shit moment! Nik looks about ready to kill someone, namely Jace, and dad seems to like this because he’s smiling like a loon.
I’m just about to answer when someone walks into the doorframe and I freeze.
Jace Weathers looks into the open apartment and freezes, too.
I choke out, “Jace, what are you doing here?” Nik steps forward to stand next to me.
Jace looks from Nik to me to Dad and greets, “Hi. It’s been a long time, Tina. ”
You don’t say?!
Jace still looks good, a little more mature looking but still tall and handsome. He looks at dad and says in greeting, “Marko. ” Then he looks at Nik and says, “I’m Jace. ” He holds out his hand for Nik to shake.
Oh, no. I don’t want Nik to get arrested for assault so I quickly take Nik’s hand and squeeze it.
Nik utters, “I know who you are. I just don’t know who you think you are to come here today. ”
I jump back in fright when Jace is pushed in the back. He flies forward into the apartment and there stands a fuming Nat behind him yelling, “GET OUT YOU FUCKER, YOU AREN’T WELCOME HERE!”
Nat stalks in followed by Mimi, Lola, Trick, Ghost, and Max.
I ask a shrill, “What is everyone doing here?!”
Nat looks at me and says, “Your dad called me. I left dinner and called for backup. ”
Dad storms over to Nat, kisses her cheek and puts an arm around her shoulder. Dad loves Nat. Always has. They have the similar abrupt personality and bond over it.
My face falls and I ask, “You left your date for me? Honey, you shouldn’t have done that. ”
She smiles and pats my hand, “Don’t worry, I’ll reschedule. ”
Jace stands, straightening his jacket. He looks at Nik and says loudly, “I’m the father of Tina’s child. That’s who I know I am. ”
A long silence follows.
Nat is the first to react. She steps forward and whispers, “You dare call yourself that?”
Rage fills me. I look at Jace and ask slowly, “Do you even know when Mia’s birthday was?” Jace looks down at his shoes. I continue quietly, “Or the first word she ever said?” The rage builds and I yell at him, “When did she cut her first tooth, Jace?” I close my eyes and breathe deep before saying calmly and quietly, “All you were was a sperm donor. Mia didn’t have a father. ”
I burst into tears and croak, “I needed you so badly when she died. My dad had a breakdown mourning my mom. When he needed me the most I couldn’t be there for him because I was organizing Mia’s funeral as well as my mom’s. And you didn’t even come to her funeral. ” I nod my head and state, “Twenty five fucking messages, Jace. That’s how many I left. If it weren’t for Dad and Nat, I don’t know where I’d be. But I’m good now. No thanks to you. ”
Max looks disgusted as he asks, “You didn’t go to your own daughter’s funeral? What kind of man are you?”
Ghost looks livid, he steps forward and spits, “You need to leave right fuckin’ now. ”
Trick growls, “You forget you ever knew Tina. ”