Page 133 of Daddies' Holiday Toy

His eyes are fixed on the floor as he speaks, his tone impossibly quiet and so different than what I’m normally used to.

“I’ve already got three kids, Holly. Bringing another one into the family wouldn’t be fair to them. Or to you.” He hesitates. “Regardless of which one of us is the father…I’m not sure if I?—”

He cuts himself off, jaw tightening.

I don’t need him to finish.

I already know exactly what’s hanging unsaid between us.If you keep it, and it’s mine, I can’t step up. I can’t be there the way you’d need me to.

I thought I’d prepared myself for at least one of them to react like this.

I told myself it wouldn’t gut me because I understood that it was my fault for being so careless in the first place for not telling them I wasn’t on anything.

But hearing it out loud, it splits something open deep inside me anyway.

For a second I have to fight to keep my voice steady. “I get it.”

And I do.

I really do.

None of them signed up to become fathers, or in Reece’s case, fathers for a second time.

This was supposed to be a casual, sexually exciting arrangement with no strings attached.

Yet here I am, telling them they’ve potentially entered into thebiggeststring of attachment there is.

“You might…” He sighs, rubbing a hand over his face. “It might not be the best idea to keep it.”

I’m not sure which hurts worse, knowing Reece is probably right, or realizing how much I’d been hoping for a different answer.

Jack’s voice cuts in again, and this time there’s no mistaking the edge in it now.

There’s frustration there, yes, but also something that feels a lot like anger. “This is what I was afraid of when you two started this mess.”

His gaze flicks between Reece and Liam.

“None of this was supposed to happen in the first place, and now here we are, being forced to deal with the consequences.”

I flinch, and without meaning to unconsciously put a hand over my belly protectively.

Consequences.

I hate that word. I hate that it’s exactly what I told myself less than a day ago when I was with Mallory, because now it feels hurtful.

“I’m sorry. Were you notalsoinvolved in this?” Liam spits out, taking a step forward to crowd Jack’s space. “Because I distinctly remember youalsobeing a willing participant.”

“That’s not the point,” he snaps back.

“Isn’t it?” Liam’s eyes narrow dangerously. “Sure, Reece and I started it, but once Holly gave you the greenlight you were all in. So don’t stand there and put all of this on our shoulders when you’re also part of the problem.”

Problem.

It’s not just what he says, it’showhe says it.

Cold and detached, like this isn’t even about the pregnancy anymore and has all to do with messing around with me when they knew it was better not to.

I feel my shoulders curl inward without meaning to, my arms tightening around myself.