back. I had never in my life been afraid of Dirk Littlewood, but something in the way he glared at me gave me pause. I suddenly wished I’d told Kimberley to call Brock.
“You think I’m jealous that Ty and Kaylee had a baby together? You think I have feelings for her?”
I did the only thing I knew to do. I shrugged. Honestly, I didn’t know what to think anymore.
He stood and walked around the back of the chair and leaned against it. “What the fuck is that supposed to mean?”
I flinched at his words. “I’m…I don’t know, Dirk. You seem very fond of Kaylee, but I’m not sure what’s wrong. That’s why I’m here. Your mother asked me to come talk to you.”
He laughed and looked away before glancing back at me. “You’re the last person I want to talk to, let alone see.”
Hurt raced through me, and it felt like a million needles stabbed into my body all at once. How had he come to hate me so much?
Tears pooled in my eyes as I stood frozen in place. It took me about a minute to control my emotions before I could speak. Even then, it came out so weak sounding. “I see. Then I’ll let you be so you can attempt to drown away your sorrows.” I met his eyes, and as much as I knew it would hurt, I said, “I can’t help but wonder what your father would think, though.”
That made him straighten up some.
I motioned around the room and then to him. “To see you so…weak.”
“Weak?” he repeated with a smirk.
“Yes, weak. You’re running from something, and no matter how many pints of whiskey you drink, you’ll never be able to outrun it, Dirk.”
The corner of his mouth twitched up as he let out a scoff. “What about you, Merit? What are you running from?”
My heart raced in my chest. With a voice that cracked with sadness, I answered truthfully, “My heart.”
That caused his smirk to fade in an instant. “Your heart? What about it?”
Tears pricked at the back of my eyes as I blinked rapidly.
Do not cry. Do. Not. Cry.
“I’m tired of it always hurting.”
I’m tired of you always hurting it, I thought.
He frowned and then looked away.
“Michael stopped by earlier to help your mom with some chores.”
His body visibly flinched.
“Your father wouldn’t want you to do this, Dirk. I don’t know what you’re going through, and I won’t pretend I do. A part of me feels like I’ve lost my own father, and even my mother, if I’m being honest. She’s pulled back into herself so much after filing for divorce, and right now I really need…”
He jerked his head back up to look at me. I couldn’t help the tear that slipped free.
“You need what?” he whispered softly.
I stood straighter and lifted my chin in a sad attempt at strength. “I need her, as I’m sure your mother needs you.”
With that, I turned to leave, but his voice stopped me in my tracks.
“Do you ever plan on telling me about the baby?”
My breath left my lungs all at once, and I bent over for a moment, trying to breathe. I shivered, and my entire body felt heavy. I could hardly move, like every ounce of blood drained out of me in one swift motion.
Slowly, I turned to look at him. “Wh-what?”
He smirked again. “I know you’re pregnant, and I know it’s my baby.”
My heart slammed against the wall of my chest. He knew. How had he found out?
“Answer me, Merit,” he spat out. I could hear the anger in his voice.
I swallowed hard and forced my mouth to work. “Of course, I was going to tell you. I…I just didn’t know how.”
He laughed. “Seems pretty simple to me. You walk up to me, look me in the eyes, and say, ‘I’m pregnant.’”
A rush of anger replaced my anxiety. “You think it would have been that easy?”
It was his turn to shrug, and it enraged me.
“Every time I went to tell you, I couldn’t.”
“Why? Too much of a coward?”
I opened my mouth to defend myself, but it was true. I had been a coward. Then he drove the knife in even further.
“Did you do it on purpose?”
His words felt like a slap across my face, and for the briefest moment, I thought maybe he regretted them, but the expression on his face was gone as quickly as it came.
I stood tall and crossed my arms over my chest. “Of course not. I’m not