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"No, I don’t Really, Jag, I don’t I was trying to think of how exactly I felt" I looked away as I tried to gather ain, my words started off slow and unsure "I was upset, yes, but I knehy you did it I knew that going aas so up, and I think you were just trying to ed after Keith was born though, and I don’t think you could fully understand that until Aly was here But honestly, I’o, I’m mostly mad that I allowed you to Like I said, some people think I pawned Keith off on you, and that’s how I feel too It felt like as soon as he got to be mine, I abandoned hi like her," he argued gently

I chewed on my bottom lip as dozens of responses and insecurities caer exhaled heavily as he stood, and leaned down to kiss the top of htened, he asked hesitantly, "Can I ask about one ?"

I looked up and lifted an eyebrow in silent response

"Deacon"

My face fell "What about hi on between you two?"

"I don’t--" I started to tell hi I wanted to discuss before I realized that Jagger’s tone was different from Grey’s earlier that week "Uonna be able to sleep if I think there’s soet that you want uybut not in that way Never in that way, and especially not for you I know Grey would say the sanore the way er’s worries were unnecessary because Deacon would never look atfor hi Deacon and I fought earlier this week He was trying to apologize tonight That’s all"

"Apologize" Jagger’s tone was full of disbelief "Do you have any clue how close the two of you were tonight?"

Yes I knew exactly how close I could still feel Deacon’s body pressed against ainstheart

"I didn’t want to talk to hi to keep er’s eyes narrowed "Are you gonna tell ize for?"

"No"

He nodded, as if he’d expected the answer "All right And you swear there isn’t soer, I have only ever been with Ben I’ve never had a boyfriend, and I have a son Do you really think the next guy I’d choose would end up being one of the two reed "You surprised me before"