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"That’s it!" I flungit back to rub at my forehead "That’s exactly it There is a very real possibility that ould’ve broken up anyway, and Parker was getting too attached as it was If I had let our relationship go on, only for it to end months or years down the roadit would crush him This is why I don’t letscared!" he yelled, and I ju in and out of his life I get that, and I think you’re right in not wanting that for hi yourself the chance to be with so Parker the chance to ever have a dad because the first guy in six years who you’ll give the time of day, you push away after only a ­couple weeks"

"I’ him There are also ­people who put their kids in plastic bubbles because they don’t want theonna do that too?"

"Do not belittle er slowly left Coen’s face, leaving only pain "You’re an aruffly as he rounded the couch and walked toward ainst a wall "But you’re scared of getting hurt, and you’re terrified Parker will get hurt as the result I get it I swear to God I get it"

I shookjaw He couldn’t understand No one--­unless they were in an Actually being a father hasn’t crossed my mind And, no, I don’t knoould have reacted if Parker had asked me if he could call me that; but I knoouldn’t have made me bolt for the door Because I knew he ca kno to pissyou so damn bad But I do know this I know that your son is the coolest fking kid I’ve ever ht of ht, not just after Parker went to bed I know that I want a lot hts just like it And I know that what did freak ain when you were telling hly and looked ahen his thu to save all of us a lot of hurt down the road This can’t work between us"

"How do you figure? Because last night and thisthe opposite"

My cheeks heated and I tried to push away the ether "Aluments Have you realized that?"

"Yeah," he said without uments ended? Just like this one With you inwhat you want"

"That’s not so to be proud of, Coen It can’t be healthy for ­people in a relationship to have hts What if Parker starts catching on to that? And I don’t willingly go into your ar so I don’t have any other option!"

Coen just sot soue because you’re a bitch and I’m a dick, and neither of us kno to keep ourto protect yourself and Parker, and I’ue because that’s our way of talking through things We get loud, yeah, but we don’t scream at each other, we don’t throw shit, and you will never in your life see ue? Who fking cares, Reagan? At least we don’t have to worry about our first fight At least we don’t have to worry about communication issues This is hoe talk, and e’ve talked everything out, we’re fine"

"Always the charmer, Coen You really think you can callbecause you tried to justify it?"

He looked at , "Yeah, Duchess, I do"

"That’s not how--­" My words cut off on a high-­pitched whiainstinto his kiss before I pushed hi one "You’re not ain, and in doing that you’ve tried to find reasons to be pissed If anyone should be mad here, it’s ht I would run You tried to take away ht you wanted to break up, then this wouldn’t be happening But I knohat you’re trying to do, and I’ to let you"

"I’m--­"

"Scared You’re scared, baby, I know"

My jaw trembled harder and tears pricked at the back of ument a thousandto be here, fighting for our chance What Parker said scared you today Not me You But like I said, I know you don’t want to break up I know you want this just as bad as I do We can go back a few steps, we can slow things down I won’t cohtwhatever it takes for you not to be scared"