Free Forever in my Heart: Book 3 in My Heart Series by Aleya Michelle Page B

same way you look at her, bro; she is not going anywhere in a hurry that’s for sure,” he exclaims with honesty. It makes me grin, I guess knowing I will have Roxy’s support is what is getting me through each day.
    “I just hate myself for doing this to her. Goddammit, one fucking night is all it was, I’m so bloody unlucky.”
    “Yep, just how drunk were you?” he interrogates me and shakes his head at my irresponsibility no doubt.
    “You sound like my old man,” I point out at his comment.
    “Put it this way, I remember bits and pieces and flashes before and after the sex, then creeping out of her room but that is it, nothing more. I was never that type of guy Pete, but I remember just how badly I was hurting back then.” I recount those miserable months without Roxy.
    “We all do fucked up shit. It’s about taking responsibility now, Kade. And when you become a father, even if it’s with Stacey, the baby will be the only thing that matters, trust me,” Pete declares and shit that hits home. I needed to hear it; the baby is all that matters.
    “Yep,” I reply thinking about having a cute little surfer boy or daddy’s girl following me around at the beach is a nice vision, just not with Stacey in the picture.
    At that thought I down my next shot, then chase it down with my beer.

    W e spend the next hour playing two games of pool and I’m not noticing how much I drink.
    I don’t get legless very often but what is it about drinking that makes me not able to stop? The refreshing taste to start and then of course the feeling mixed together is my guess. The pub has definitely helped with my mood and made me feel more relaxed.
    Well, that and the shots. I’m feeling a little numb now, but my stupid brain makes me think of Roxy home alone, then it reminds me that she is probably thinking about Stacey’s having my baby.
    Does she secretly hate me for making her life so complicated?
    Will she leave me when it all gets to be too much?
    “Fuck, Pete, now I’m feeling drunk. Why the hell did I have to sleep with that chick?” I question my best mate since we were nine.
    “Who knows Kado, shit happens. Don’t beat yourself up about it,” he replies being supportive now after the last lecture. I have to realise what’s done is done, even if I would give anything to erase it so that it never fucking happened in the first place.
    “I have to beat myself up about it. I don’t want to be a father to her baby. I had finally stopped freaking out about having a baby with Roxy sometime down the track, sooner rather than later actually, and now this fucking happens.”
    “Roxy will treat the child like her own anyway, Kade, so don’t worry about that,” he assures me. I know without a doubt, Roxy is a selfless woman; she would go above and beyond for me.
    “There are no guarantees Roxy is really going to stick around, Pete. I mean if Stacey gets her back up, you should see the bitchy side of her; life will get way more complicated,” I announce to him feeling infuriated and melancholy all at once.
    I feebly stand and feel myself sway slightly as I make my way back to the bar. “Jim Beam and coke and another tequila shot. Thanks, Joe,” I say trying to sound less drunk than I feel.
    I’m fucking wishing I didn’t have to work tomorrow. Good thing I changed my early classes, thinking I might be having a late one.
    Ten am is a much more reasonable time to be there instead of seven-thirty. If my swaying and demeanour are anything to go by I will be paying for it tomorrow.
    Roxy
    I happily spend the night in my comfy pyjamas, as Kade and Pete go like the Aussie men they are to the local pub.
    I decide to catch up on all the fun things I haven’t done for a while, like excitedly surf the net for clothes, shoes and jewellery.
    The important things in a woman’s life right?
    I must admit internet shopping is still just as fun. I am thrilled when a few of my favourite stores have some amazing sales right