page115 (2/2)

“Still

an asshole,” Curt gruht have rubbed off on you”

“Are neither of you are going to congratulate ot it He didn’t believe it either He had no idea how to be a good father or husband But daive her up He would learn He would do whatever was needed for the three of theive them what they needed to feel secure To know that he was there for them No matter what

But it did hurt that neither Jake nor Curt had said they were happy for him

“Congratulate you on what?” Jake asked, looking puzzled

“I thought you’d called us here to talk about Aspen’s troubles,” Curt added

He stiffened, straightened “What trouble?”

“Shit You don’t know?” Curt looked over at Jake and grimaced

“I thought Aspen would have told you,” Jake added with a frown

Told hi from him?

But when had she had a chance to say anything? The first thing he’d done on getting home was fuck her Then he’d snuck out of bed before she awoke He ran his hand tiredly over his face He’d have loved nothing ain This tihly To talk to her To check on where her head was But he’d thought this conversation couldn’t wait

And apparently there wason than he knew

He leaned forward “We haven’t had a chance to talk I got ho on?”

“All right, first things first” Jake held up a hand “There’s another reason you wanted to meet with me and Curt?”

It churned in his gut not to knoas going on with Aspen, but he thought it was a good idea to get this shit out of the way first