Page 111 of The Bluffing Game

“Did you have any other news to give me?”

“No, that’s it.”

“Okay, well, I need to speak to my sister.” I head to the door, and I’m surprised when he steps forward and holds it open for me.

“Ladies first,” he says.

Who knew he’d be so polite?

“Thank you.”

I hurry out, and I see Lucia, Izzy, and Rosie all standing there with expectant looks on their faces.

“Did you hear anything?” Rosie asks.

I nod slightly and gasp. She rushes over and grabs me.

“He doesn’t want to know me.”

I can’t stop the tears from coming. They release like a dam is broken and run down my face uncontrollably. I sob as she holds me close, and I feel Izzy and Lucia next to me, rubbing my back.

“It’s going to be okay,” Rosie says.

“He doesn’t want to know me. He’s got his own family, a wife and kids, and I guess he’s just living happily ever after. He doesn’t even want to say hello. He doesn’t even want to see me. What sort of man has a kid and doesn’t even want to see them?”

I sob and sob for what feels like ages until I feel someone standing over me. I look up, half-expecting to see Dalton. My heart drops when I realize it’s not him. It’s Jimmy, frowning, looking concerned.

“What’s going on?” he says in a gruff tone.

“Nothing. I’m fine. I’ll be fine.” I take a deep breath.

Rosie continues to rub my back. “She just found out that her birth dad wants nothing to do with her. He doesn’t want to see her. He doesn’t want to know her. He doesn’t even want to meet her, and that sucks.”

Jimmy looks at me and frowns. “It means that much to you? Don’t you have a mom and dad?”

“Yeah, but he’s not my biological dad.” I bite down on my lower lip because I don’t want to be rude in front of Rosie. I know she loves her dad. “I just really wanted to find the man who was biologically connected to me to see if we could build a connection.”

He watches me for a couple of seconds. “You should let it go, girl,” he says and then rubs his forehead. “I mean, Sage. You should let it go. What you don’t know can’t hurt you. If he doesn’t want to be found, if he doesn’t want to contact you, there has to be a reason. It’s likely for you,” he says. “Don’t take it personal or anything. I’m sure if he could meet you, he’d feel differently.”

I look up at him and offer him a small smile. “Thanks, Jimmy. I guess you might know who he is.” I sniff.

“Why do you say that?” He looks taken aback.

“I mean, Brett said that you might know him, and it’s okay. I’m not going to ask you to tell me who he is. I’m not going to show up at his door. I’m not Parker. I’m not a psychopath. I just … is he happy with his family?” I ask Jimmy, and he recoils.

“I couldn’t say,” he says, swallowing hard. “I should get back to the bar.”

“Okay,” I say. Because I’m hurt. I’m hurt that he won’t tell me more, but maybe he thinks I’ll do something that I shouldn’t.

“Sage,” he calls out to me. He steps forward again and offers me a rag. “Wipe your tears, girl. You’re going to be okay. You got friends and people here who love you, and that’s what matters. Sometimes, what’s in the shadows and the dark should stay in the shadows and the dark. It can only hurt you.”

“I guess,” I say. But I don’t believe it.

All I feel is rejection and hurt and pain. My own dad knows that I exist, and he wants nothing to do with me. There is nothing that feels worse than that.

Chapter 30

DALTON