The Daddy Box Set

I shook my head, my voice almost reduced to a whisper. “It’s not what I wanted, Hunter. I love Vince. I wanted nothing else but for him to be happy and healthy.” I kept my eyes locked on him, telling him everything inside my heart. Vince was like a son to me. He was the son of the most special person in my life.

But now, everything seemed to be melting in front of me. Desperation threatened to kick in and turn me into a blubbering idiot.

“What the hell are you talking about? You don’t know anything about being a parent. You’re not even his mother! Hell, you’re not a mother at all! You’re just a chick who lives next door to us!” Hunter was screaming at me, throwing those painful words like daggers.

I leaned against the wall as my legs wobbled. I was cold and empty on the inside as realization sunk in. I could have killed Vince because I wasn’t a mother and didn’t understand what happened. And on top of that… I was a nobody to the two people I loved most outside of my mother.

“How can you say that to me? I’ve done nothing but give up my life for both of you lately. I planned to do it forever.” I kept my eyes on the floor, my head all messed up. I couldn’t muster the courage to look up at Hunter. “Nobody loves Vince more than me besides you.” I glanced up as tears dripped down my face. “And this nobody loved you too.”

Hunter stopped talking for a moment, his eyes going wide as he sucked in a deep breath. “Look, I’m sorry. I’m just…I don’t know.” He ran his hands through his hair. “I think it’s best if we take a break from each other until I figure out how I feel after this.” His voice was resentful.

I couldn’t have cared less about what he felt at that moment. He’d crushed me with his abusive words. I stood up from my seat on the floor, staring at his eyes with a blank expression. “I couldn’t agree more. Tell Vince where I am when he asks. Tell him that your nobody neighbor has gone back to her own life, and not because she wanted to, but because you forced her to.”

I turned and walked out of the hospital, not daring to look back. My heart was torn in two as I pressed my hand to my lips and tried to hold back the scream beating against my teeth. Mine never was a fairy tale story with a happily ever after. Hunter wouldn’t be running and chasing me down the hall. He wouldn’t stop me from walking away from the hospital by taking me into his arms and professing his undying love for me.

That shit didn’t exist. Not for anyone I’d ever know, and certainly not for me.

My mother and Bailey had known exactly what would happen. They were right about Hunter. I should have listened to them before it was too late, but I didn’t. I gave love a chance, and she fucked me over good, turning me into a slut who got used by a man who was emotionally unavailable.

Excellent.

I turned to the parking lot and ran to my car. I got in and attempted to put the key in the ignition. For some reason I couldn’t, my hands shaking wildly. I threw the keys instead and buried my face on the steering wheel. It was not the most comfortable place to stay, but it would do for now. I could weep inside of my car without anyone seeing. I could scream and shout in pain all by myself for as long as I needed to.

I couldn’t believe how things had turned upside down in a blink of an eye. Everything was just fine that morning, but now there was nothing left of my beautiful budding relationship with Hunter.

Hunter was the best man I had known before this happened. I still could not believe why he had changed in an instant. He was a completely different man.

It might have been my fault. I had neglected his son, and I had to face the consequences. I’d screwed up without knowing it, and now I had to pay the price.

My chest contracted tightly as I screamed again, my world dissolving before me. It was bad enough to love and lose someone, but to feel like the center of someone world meant everything to me.

And now I’d gone from being everything to being the thing that scared me most.

Nothing to no one. A nobody.

Chapter Thirty-One

Hunter

We had to go back to the hospital the next day for observation. Something was a little off with Vince’s blood sugar, and I wasn’t taking any chances. I’d forced myself not to think about Kylie and the way I’d treated her the day before. It hurt way too much to consider what I’d done.

“Good boy, Vince. You’re doing great.” The nurse had closed the syringe and cleansed the portion where she had injected. The doctor was staring at Vince’s other test results, scrutinizing for any discrepancies and problems in his health.

Vince opened his eyes slowly as the nurse pressed a cotton ball to his arm. “All done, buddy. Great job.”

They left for a few minutes, and Vince turned his attention on me, worrying his eyes. “Dad. Where’s Kylie?”

“She’s working, little man. Nothing to be concerned about.” I forced a smile and held his hand. “We’ll see her soon. I heard you were helping her yesterday when your sugar went low.”

He smiled and nodded. “I love helping her. I would do anything for her, Dad.”

Fuck me. Thankfully, the doctor walked back into the room, saving me from the conversation.

“Vince is doing well today. We’ll do a three-month test to make sure he’s good unless you have a concern and need to bring him in. Don’t hesitate to do so, or just call if you need to. Diabetes takes some getting adjusted to.” The doctor extended his hand, and both Vince and I shook it before I helped my boy off the table.

“Thanks. We appreciate you.” I gave the doc a sincere nod.

“No problem.” He knelt down and looked at Vince. “Good job on taking your shot, Vince. You’re a pretty strong kid. Just start resting a little more often when you feel dizzy, okay? And make sure someone else knows that you’re not feeling so good next time. As soon as it happens.” He patted Vince’s head, applauding his superb job and cooperation to keep himself safe.