Teller
The secrets end today.I made a promise to Charlotte to spill this week. Somehow, it’s already Friday. I’m running out of time if I want to keep my promise to Charlotte.
Rock and Hope invited us over for breakfast. When we arrive, Heidi and Blake are already there.
Perfect timing.
It’s just the six of us and the kids. I’m never going to have a better opportunity to tell Heidi without a larger audience.
After breakfast, we’re still sitting at the table, sipping coffee and eating coffee cake.
“This is good, Heidi,” Rock says, stabbing his fork into his slice.
She beams, always happy to accept compliments. Especially from Rock. “Thank you.”
I catch Rock’s eye and nod, slightly tilting my head in Heidi’s direction.
Rock frowns and sets down his fork. Now? His expression seems to say.
Didn’t he lecture me on how this can’t go on forever?
“Uh, I wanted to talk to you guys about something,” I begin.
Heidi sets her fork down and grins at me, then Charlotte. “Are we wedding planning?” she asks with a hopeful lilt in her voice. “I know you said redheads can’t wear pink, but I saw this gorgeous champagne tulle dress with pink butterflies. It would be so perfect on you, Charlotte…” Her voice fades when Charlotte doesn’t respond.
Heidi tries again. “Am I going to be an aunty?” she asks with even more excitement.
Charlotte flinches. Under the table, I slide my hand over her leg and curl my fingers around hers. She squeezes my hand twice as if urging me not to lose my nerve.
“Not yet,” Charlotte answers.
My gaze lands on Hope, who has her hands braced against the table like she’s preparing herself to jump up and comfort Heidi.
Even Alexa and Grace stop to stare at us, although they lose interest quickly.
Heidi’s smile fades and her confused eyes dart from Rock, to me, to Charlotte, then Hope. “What’s going on?”
“Why you being so twitchy, bro?” Murphy sits back and slings his arm over Heidi’s shoulders.
I hate that I’m about to wipe the easy smirk off my best friend’s face. After this announcement, things will never be the same between us.
“I’m not trying to be twitchy. There’s something I’ve wanted to discuss…” My voice falters. “News I want to share with you.”
Rock clears his throat. “What Marcel wants to—”
“I got it,” I cut Rock off. This has to come from me.
Releasing Charlotte’s hand, I rest my elbows on the table and lean forward. “Shit, I don’t even know how to say it, so I’m just going to spit it out. Rock and I found…Well, this will sound nuts, but it turns out Rock is—Rock’s my, uh, father.”
Blank. Heidi and Blake’s faces. Totally blank.
I got the words out, right?
Heidi frowns.
Blake twitches and sits forward. “What do you mean, Rock’s your father?”
“What are you talking about?” Heidi drops her gaze and absently twirls one finger through her long, brown hair, pulling it in front of her face and studying the ends. “How can Rock be your father?”