Page 243 of The Bluffing Game

“What about what I want? Maybe I don’t want to stay with him. Maybe I want to stay with Rosie, Lucia, and Izzy.”

“And we don’t want you to stay with them because that will just put a threat on their backs. I’m sorry.”

“Okay, well, that’s bad news. Is there good news to come or …”

He shakes his head. “So, I’ve been in contact with your father.”

“Oh.” My eyes light up.

“And unfortunately, he’s married with kids. His wife doesn’t know he has another child out there. She’s particularly jealous.”

“But did he have me before he married her? Would she be upset?”

“It’s going to be a no-go, Sage,” he says, shaking his head. “Unfortunately, this is not a situation that is going to have a happy ending. Your dad is, for all intents and purposes, cut off to you. I’m sorry if that sounds harsh. I’m not really sure how else to say it.”

I can feel tears welling up in my eyes. The information has been too much. I feel heartbroken. I feel sad. I feel like nobody wants me. Nobody needs me. I feel like everything in the world is crashing in around me, and I don’t know what to do.

Maybe this is the consequence of fooling around with a man with a son. I remember the way Toby held my hand and squeezed it, the way he looked up at me with his big brown eyes and said he wished I could be his mommy. And at that moment, I wanted to say, I want to be your mommy too. But when I looked over at Dalton with his stoic expression, I could tell he was horrified by what Toby had said.

He is not interested in marrying me. He is not interested in being in a relationship with me. All he wants from me is sex, and it’s not even like I can blame him. I knew from the get-go that he wasn’t looking for the same thing that I was.

“I’m sorry, did you need me to explain that again?” Brett says.

I blink rapidly at him. I completely spaced out, and I’m not sure what he just said.

“If it’s about my dad, go ahead, I guess. Is there any way I can speak to him, maybe go reason with him? Maybe if he sees me and⁠—”

Brett lets out a deep sigh and rubs his forehead. “I don’t know what to say. At this time, it’s a no-go.”

“What do you mean, at this time? Is there possibly a time when⁠—”

I see that he’s clenching his fist, and he looks upset about something.

“This is why I don’t like to get involved in these things,” he mutters under his breath and shakes his head. “I don’t know what to tell you. I just … I think that your dad is making a good decision. There’s enough going on in your life right now, and you really don’t want to cause yourself any more harm, nor do you want to bring harm into Rosie’s life.” He pauses. “Is she doing okay? Is she dating anyone? I noticed that⁠—”

“You noticed what? That she’s not flirting with you like she used to? What did you expect? You completely ignored her. You gave her nothing back. Did you think she was just going to keep flirting with you like a fool?”

He presses his lips together. “That’s not why I brought her up.” He mumbles over his words.

I’m surprised. I’ve never seen Brett like this before. He always seems so calm and in control.

“Look, I don’t even want to talk about this right now. I’m sorry.”

“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.