Chapter 17
Two Weeks Earlier
"Thanks for coming," Logan expressed, then took a deep breath. "It took me some time to go through the will and follow through on a few other things, but now that I have what I need, it's time to discuss next steps."
"I just need to know why Braelyn is here."
Star had barely looked at Braelyn, but once Colt came over and told her he had to rush her to the hospital and that she might be carrying his baby, she'd been walking around like she'd been gut-punched by life.
"I'm getting to that."
"Starlah, I'm not—" Braelyn began to explain.
"Don't. If I wanted to talk to you, I would have done that a few days ago when I came to the hospital. The baby's fine, right? Congratulations."
"Star, Braelyn's not the enemy," Colt interjected, tapping his hand on the handles of his chair. "She's actually devastated."
"About what? Fucking Creed and hiding the pregnancy, or fucking you and not knowing who the father is? I barely looked her way at the funeral, let alone any other time, so if you don't mind, shut the fuck up talking to me, Colt. We're done."
"Starlah, I need you to relax," Logan intervened. "You asked me why she's here, so I'll tell you, but I'd rather she speak first. You deserve answers, and she wants you to ask her anything."
Star sat, her leg violently shaking as the man she once loved betrayed her, then had her betray the man she was falling for. She never once wanted Swift's mother to think she was moving recklessly, but she also made no apologies for tossing caution to the wind and falling for her son.
She'd held her breath since the day Swift showed up, watching him from afar, listening in on conversations.
Still, when he took to Chevy so well and then took over the mechanic shop, leaving his own responsibilities behind, she knew before he even caught her that day she fainted that she wanted him.
Star shoved a tear from her cheek and muttered, "Talk."
"Damn," Colt whispered when Braelyn shook her head. She didn't want him and Starlah at odds. All she wanted was to deliver a healthy baby and start anew.
"It happened one night, and we both were drinking. I was pissed with Creed because, as usual, he stood me up," Braelyn explained, her hand sliding over her stomach.
Her eyes lowered as tears spilled onto her dress, which covered her stomach. She knew if she didn't get this out, she'd never be able to move on.
"Cassie had a shindig, like she always does, and although Creed usually goes, this time, he didn't. Reggie brought some pills.
I don't know what kind, and we ended up drinking after popping a few.
Then we all started dancing, and I stumbled, but Colt caught me.
Most of the night, he actually looked at me as if he was angry.
I needed to lie down and…" She pushed out a puff of air. "I woke up, and he was there."
"So, it happened once?" Starlah probed. She had no clue why she needed more details, but she did.
"No," Colt answered. "Not that night. It happened three or four times. Those pills made us feel crazy." He gulped, then looked at Starlah. "And she was there."
"Great!" Starlah laughed, then tossed up her hands. "All it takes is for someone to be there, I see."
"But it was just that one night," Braelyn added. "A week later, Creed and I made up, and then we had sex. It's just a huge mess, but I'm sorry, Starlah. I love and miss Creed so much. I couldn't even enjoy my pregnancy, wondering if this was his baby or not."
"So what's the verdict?" She tapped Logan's desk, waiting for him to speed up the process.
"I'd rather show it to you if Braelyn is fine with it."
"I am. This is about Creed. Of course, his sister deserves to know, and I didn't want anyone telling you. I wanted to because I really am sorry."
Logan opened the envelope, extracted a document, and slid it in front of Starlah. Her vision was blurry, but she blinked a few times, took a deep breath, and picked it up.
"Creed Davion Steel is not excluded as the biological father, due to a probability of 99% or higher, which is considered a positive confirmation."
As she read silently to herself, her brows crinkled. She was confused, considering Creed wasn't even alive to provide a DNA test.
"A sample from Creed's autopsy was used to perform the test," Logan explained. "It was the only way I could have a DNA test unless we tested you. Braelyn wanted to make sure the results were as accurate as possible."
Starlah couldn't believe it. On one hand, she was devastated that Colt had been so careless, so reckless, but on the other hand, she had a niece or nephew on the way.
That meant God hadn't abandoned her. A loud wail escaped her mouth when Braelyn stood up and quickly waddled toward her.
She didn't care if she pushed her away. She finally could bring them all some joy after the tragic deaths of Lucky and Creed.
"Star, I wish it hadn't happened this way, and I swear I'm not here to take anything. I wanted my son to know—"
"Wait… " Starlah coughed, trying to catch her breath. "It's a boy?" Braelyn grinned and nodded her head. "I have a nephew on the way?"
"Yes, you do, and I'd really want you to be a part of his life."
"Of course, I want to be."
Star leaped from the chair, pulling Braelyn into her arms as they both sobbed like two babies in a nursery. Logan sat, evilly eyeing Colt, whose hands weren't fully clean. He'd heard their plan, but he couldn't advise two consenting adults how to proceed.
"Colt, do you have anything you want to share with Star?"
"I, uh…"
He cleared his throat as he sat up. In his heart of hearts, he knew he was doing the right thing, but he also knew it would probably break Starlah's heart. He decided, though, that he couldn't worry about that when an unborn child was entering the world without a father.
"I'm going to help her raise him," he announced. Starlah's celebration quickly ceased. "I'm not trying to replace Creed. I could never do that, but he needs a man in his life."
"He could have one, but who the fuck said it had to be you?" Star fumed, looking at him, then Braelyn, and her jaw dropped. "Are you two…"
She looked at Logan, who sighed.
"Can we get the rest of this over with? I think I'm about to fucking throw up."
"We can, but I'd like to finish with you sitting down. This will take some time, but Colt can leave. Braelyn will meet you outside."
"Leave? If this has anything to do with Braelyn, I'm staying."
"Then both of you can get the fuck out," Starlah spewed. "And as for the mechanic shop, don't come back. So help me God, if you do, I'll have Swift kick your ass."
Colt laughed, then covered his mouth when she brought up the man he knew had been pining over her. It stung to know a man she'd barely seen in years had come into town, like a knight in shining armor, but he also knew he made it easy for Swift to swoop in and take his girl.
"Star, no. Colt's just trying to be supportive."
"Let him support you, but that baby in your stomach will be well taken care of. I won't deprive my nephew of anything I have or what Creed is entitled to but let me be very clear. Colt Shaw can go straight to hell."
Logan sat smiling with his legs crossed while the Starlah he knew finally took control of her life. He knew she still had a ways to go, but he'd be with her every step of the way.
"Colt?" he spoke, motioning for him to stand. "Braelyn will see you outside."
Colt stood up, kicking his chair back, and grinned. He could have left without further incident, but he had to be the self-righteous asshole he was and give his parting words.
"You know you're going to be lonely for the rest of your life, except for that damn dog, Chevy. Hell, he even betrays you for snacks. You're miserable and judgmental, and when Swift gets what he wants out of you, you'll be right back outside like the rest of these bitches, looking for me!"
Braelyn gasped, clearly surprised at Colt's actions and words.
"No, I didn't want Braelyn like that, but at least she knows I'm still a good man, despite not being perfect. Enjoy your lonely life, trying to save that damn farm, too, and be careful because the people that—"
Colt was on a rant, spewing so much hate that he had no clue Logan had come from behind his desk, waiting to escort him out.
When he saw Starlah sitting in silence as Colt tore her down, one insult at a time, he couldn't take it anymore.
He pulled his right fist back, which landed like a boulder on Colt's left jaw, knocking him out.
"Logan!" Starlah screamed, her body trembling while Braelyn stood completely stunned. She knew Colt's feelings were hurt, but she'd never heard him speak in such a vile way. "Is he dead?" she whispered.
"Fuck no, but if he ever speaks to you like he just did, he'll wish he was. Let me call Sheriff Jakes. Something tells me that Colt knows more about your brother and father's murder than he's telling."