Page 60 of Full Out Fiend

What the hell is he doing here?

Fielding crowds my space, trying to usher me into the car before Anthony reaches the driveway. I press my hand to his chest in protest. His eyes flare, and he opens his mouth, ready to object—but this isn’t his battle to fight.

“It’s okay, but please let me handle this. Just follow my lead…”

The conflict etched in every line of his handsome face is unmistakable as he studies me. Finally, he takes a step back and raises both hands, giving me enough room to slip around him and come face to face with my ex-fiancé.

I tentatively shuffle forward two steps. Fielding shifts beside me in a silent show of support. I have to stop myself from smirking at him in my periphery—there’s no way he could sit this one out completely. He’s too protective. Even though I told him I wanted to handle this, I’m grateful for his support.

“So it’s true?” Anthony demands, glaring from me to Fielding, then to me again before he gawks at my stomach in disgust.

I gulp past the lump in my throat and pray my words don’t waver.

“I don’t owe you any explanations or have anything to say to you, Anthony. Fielding and I were just on our way out.”

“Daphne, stop,” he demands, taking a step closer as Fielding tenses beside me. I reach back and stroke a hand down his arm—reassuring him that I’ve got this.

Anthony continues. “It doesn’t have to be like this. Even if you wanted to keep his bastard child, I’m willing to make it work. Don’t throw us away because of your mistake. We can figure this out…”

“Throw us away?” I challenge, eyebrows raised.

He says it like he believes it—like I initiated our demise.

I plant my feet wide and cross my arms under my chest. “I didn’t throw anything away, Anthony. You ruined us. I tolerated a lot over the years, and maybe that was my mistake—putting up with too much for too long. But the second you had Andy text me from that plane, you sealed our fate.”

“I didn’t think—”

I hold up a hand to stop him. I’m not interested in his excuses. My life has changed more dramatically over the last few months than I ever thought possible. The idea of him and me, of us together… it doesn’t even make sense anymore. I haven’t healed from the ordeal. But I’m over it.

“That’s right. You didn’t think. You decided a free shot in Vegas was more important than my feelings or the sanctity of our relationship.”

“Come on, Daph. We weren’t even married yet. You didn’t really expect—”

I cut him off again. His face morphs from annoyance to disdain as I refuse to let him speak. He’s not used to me interrupting him—or standing my ground.

“You’re absolutely right. My expectations were wildly low to begin with. If I’m honest, part of me never expected you to be faithful. I was settling, because I spent the last ten years believing you were the best I could do. Thank God I realized my potential before it was too late,” I quip, cocking one eyebrow for emphasis.

Fielding huffs a barely audible laugh beside me, catching Anthony’s attention and reminding us both of his presence.

I’m shocked that he’s stayed out of it until now—just like I asked. After the scene around the dining room table, I highly doubted his ability to hold his tongue.

Anthony takes two steps toward us—and Fielding immediately moves closer, placing one hand on the small of my back in a silent show of support.

Anthony sneers for several seconds before finally coming up with something to say. “People are gonna talk, Daph… the girls at the salon… all our friends. What’s your grandma supposed to tell everyone at church?”

Fielding’s hand flexes against my back at the change in tactics. What he doesn’t know is that I’m more than used to the guilt and shame he’s using to try and get me to go along with things. Anthony can be wicked with his words, but no one can top my mother.

When I don’t react like he wants, he pushes harder.

“Everybody we know is going to be talking about the girl who cheated on her fiancé, got knocked up by this douche and threw away her life to have his baby.”

Oof. Too far. I’m not even a little surprised when Fielding shifts forward and starts in.

“Shove off, asshole. Do you even hear yourself right now? You’re not going to shame or manipulate her into getting back together with you. You’re wasting your goddamn breath.”

“He speaks,” Anthony mocks.

What he doesn’t know is that I asked Fielding to leave this to me. And he did. Until things escalated, at least.