Page 101 of Clear Shot

“That’s not how family works,” Johan says, coming to stand directly in front of me.

“We’re not…family,” I say.

“No?” He points to the divorce papers on the counter. “Until those are signed, sealed, and delivered, we are. And even when you sign them, you’re my niece or nephew’s father, so we’ll always be family, whether you like it or not.”

I roll my eyes. “How many times do I have to say it? I got?—”

“—a vasectomy.” Johan gives me a little shove. “My sister isn’t a liar. If she did cheat, she would tellmebecause she knows I would get to the bottom of it and forgive her, even if you didn’t. So if she says she didn’t, then something went wrong. Have you been to a doctor?”

“No.” I stare back at him in annoyance. “I don’t need to see a doctor.”

“But you’re going to. And I will physically drag you there if I have to.”

“I dare you to try,” I growl, standing up straighter.

“We’re not doing this,” says Anders, as he, Jordan, and Decker separate us.

I guess that’s why they’re here.

“What can it hurt?” Jordan asks.

Since when is Jordan the fucking voice of reason? What alternate reality is this?

“You do the paternity test and go get your little swimmers checked—once that’s done there can’t be any more accusations or he said/she said. There will be facts and we can put this to bed, one way or another. You don’t have to be with Hana, butyou do have to do the right thing on the off chance the baby is yours.”

His choice of words gives me pause because it’s obvious this was all discussed ahead of time. Otherwise, Johan would have knocked him out for insinuating Hana is lying. Instead, they’re being cautious—handling me carefully.

And that just pisses me off.

“You guys are wasting your time,” I growl, reaching for the bottle of whiskey and twisting the cap.

“You don’t need any more of that,” Jordan says, plucking it from my hands.

I lunge for it, but I’m half-drunk, sleep-deprived, and running on empty so I’m woefully inept and he dances out of reach.

“You need a shower, and then we’re going to do the paternity test,” Johan says. “So go upstairs and clean up. And I will drag you there. Don’t test me.”

“Fuck you. This isn’t your business.” I do my best to stand up to him but my stomach is about to revolt and the room is starting to spin.

Fuck.

“Come on, buddy. It’s shower time.” Jordan puts an arm around my waist. I try to move but wind up stumbling and almost falling.

“Dude.” Anders shakes his head. “Why are you fighting this? What’s the worst thing that can happen? You find out that this was a huge misunderstanding and maybe you get your wife back?”

I don’t respond becausethatisn’t even close to the worst thing that could happen.

“Talk to us,” Jordan cajoles. “We’re your friends. Jesus, we’ve been through everything together.

“You don’t understand.” I can barely choke out the words.

“Thenexplain.” Johan is still giving me a death glare.

Normally, I’m not afraid of him but I’ve never seen him so intense—or so hurt. And that’s the part that makes this hard.

“I… can’t.” My voice is barely discernible, but they hear me.

“Youcan. You just won’t.” Johan looks disgusted. “But regardless of what you want, youwilltake the test, you will go to the doctor, and you will support your child.” Johan is definitely not fucking around.