Home is Where the Heart is by Christie Mack Read Free Book Online

I cherish our friendship so much. By starting something with him, knowing my track record with guys and relationships, I think I’m afraid I will make a mess of it, and then our friendship will be completely destroyed. I can kiss it goodbye.”
    “All those other times obviously ended wrong, because they weren’t right for you. I think you’d do great in a relationship; you just haven’t found someone you can actually be in a relationship with yet. But I completely understand where you’re coming from, and if that’s truly how you feel about Nick, then you have to tell him. I know you’re going to feel like you’re breaking his heart, but you’re going to break his heart even more if you’re not honest with him and string him along, just like Jordan did with me. Trust me—it’s not a nice feeling.”
    “I know; you’re right.”
    Gabby and Cassie’s heartfelt conversation ended when Cassie’s phone began ringing. She didn’t know the caller, reading Unknown on the screen, and she wondered who would be calling her so late into the evening, but she pressed answer anyway.
    “Hello?”
    “Cass? It’s Jordan.”
    Of course, she knew it was Jordan; she recognized his voice, and obviously Nick had given him her number since they were hanging out tonight. She was going to have to thank him when she saw him, meaning—rip him a new one.
    “How old is Jake?” Jordan asked her through the phone. His tone sounded serious, and she wondered if he had assumptions about Jake being his son.
    “He’s five,” replied Cassie. She didn’t sugarcoat her response; there was no need to lie about the answer.
    Without saying another word, she ended the phone call.
    “Who was that?” asked Gabby.
    “That was Jordan,” said Cassie, tossing her phone from hand to hand. “I’m guessing he’s had time to process the fact that I’m a mother, or he’s been talking to Nick, put two and two together, and come up with the conclusion Jake could be his child.”
    “Good old Nick,” mumbled Gabby. “What are you going to do?”
    For the first time, Cassie knew she had her answer. “Nothing. I don’t have anything to hide from Jordan. He is Jake’s father, but that doesn’t mean he has to be Jake’s dad if he doesn’t want to be. I'm not forcing him to be something he doesn't think he can handle. I've done okay on my own. I'm sure I can handle the next thirteen years of his life until he turns eighteen by myself."
    Cassie had handled life as a single mother for five years already. She didn’t need Jordan co-parenting with her if he couldn’t handle taking on the role as a father. She was perfectly capable of doing it alone, and she would make certain Jordan knew it.

A s soon as Cassie swung open the front door and revealed Jordan standing on her front porch at ten o’clock at night, she knew why he was there.
    “Is he mine?” His question pierced through her veins the same way she imagined it would if she were on trial for murder. Jordan shook his head as frown lines formed on his forehead. He looked furious, and he probably had every right to be, but she wasn't going to feel guilty for choosing to become a single parent instead of consulting Jordan about his role in raising their child.
    Cassie didn’t say a word. What else could she say?
    “You know what? Don’t worry. I already know the answer,” he said shortly, and deep down, she knew that already.
    He turned to walk away as Cassie let out a deep breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. Everything happened so suddenly. Jordan stopped, turned toward her, and walked back until he was standing in her doorway again.
    “Fuck, Cassie! Why didn’t you tell me I had a kid? I had a right to know I’m a dad." The frown lines slowly disappeared from his face, but he still didn't look happy. In fact, his eyes looked troubled and tired. This time, he was expecting her to answer his question.
    “You’re asking the wrong person that question, and it’s late,