Shattered Dreams (The Believe Series Book 1) by Angela Fattig Page B

fucked you until she was tired of you or until she started to show.”
    He flops down on the couch and buries his face in his hands. “I didn’t ask for this,” he says. “I never wanted kids.”
    I move closer. “Well you better get ready,” I say, “You don’t have much of a choice now.”
    He looks up at me with fear in his eyes. “You know what my childhood was like,” he says. “I didn’t want kids because I was afraid of becoming my father.”
    “I don’t see that happening,” I say. He furrows his brows, so I explain. “The difference between you and your father is he didn’t give a shit that he hurt you or your mom. I think that’s why she left. You, on the other hand, will love this child and hopefully its mother. You know what he did was wrong, and because of that, you will be a better father than he ever dreamed of being. In spite of his best or worst efforts, you are a better man.”
    He sighs. “Should I find her and apologize?” he asks.
    “You need to do more than apologize,” Alicia says as she enters the room. You can see by her eyes that she’s pissed. “I said more to you than I should have last night and this is how you repay me? I stupidly trusted that you would do the right thing. Shannon won’t admit it but she is crazy about you, even after just that one night. Now go and make it right, no matter what you have to do.”
    Jareth flinches. If the situation wasn’t so serious, I would laugh. Seeing a bad boy Chicago cop scared of a woman is priceless.
    She goes to walk to my side and stops. Turning back she says, “And by the way, it is yours. Shannon doesn’t sleep around no matter how she makes it look or sound. You were the first in a long time. She doesn’t give it up easily.”
    “Fuck,” he says and stands. “Where did she go?”
    Alicia crosses her arms and glares at him. “Are you going to make it right or worse?” she asks.
    “Look,” he says running a hand through his hair. “I felt something for her that night too. I left because it scared the shit out of me. I don’t know if I can offer her what she needs most as I don’t do relationships. Hell, I haven’t the slightest idea where to start, but I will say this, I will do what it takes to make it right. I will be there for her and the baby. Just tell me where she went, please.”
    Alicia stands there watching him. She nods. She must see that he means what he says and walks over to a side table.
    As she’s writing she says, “I don’t know what’s in her past. I just know it was bad, but when she is feeling sad or hurt, she visits her mom’s grave.” She turns back and hands him a piece of paper. “This is where you will find her. I know she can be stubborn and hard headed, just don’t give up on her. She needs someone other than me in her life to love her.”
    Jareth takes the paper. He looks at it as he slowly nods. “I won’t give up Alicia,” he says and slowly looks up at her. “Thank you.”
    She nods. “You can thank me by making it right,” she says. “Now go.” He nods and walks out the door.
    “Well, that was interesting,” I say.
    Alicia turns to look at me. “You can say that again,” she says rubbing her forehead.
    I reach out and pull her to me. Her arms go around my neck as she lays her head on my chest. “Promise me that if there is anything you ever need to tell me you will,” I ask, “no matter what it is.”
    She lifts her head and smiles. “No need to worry about that,” she says. “I have no secrets, but I’ll promise anyway.”
    My gut tightens as I think about the secret I’m keeping from her. I kiss her forehead and try to push the uneasiness away. “Are you ready to go?” I ask. “We’re already running a little late.”
    “Yes,” she says, “Sorry about all that.”
    I take her hand and lead her towards the door. “What do you have to be sorry for?” I ask as I place her warp around her shoulders. “None of that was your fault. They’re adults