House of Cards (Not in the Cards 1)

Family/Children, Hurt/Comfort, Romance, Slow Burn Courtney W. Dixon 103 15th Mar, 2026

epub 2.57 MB

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Overview

"I never wanted nor was I supposed to be a father. Now, I'm having to foster care for a 14-year-old grieving boy."

Calvin Abernathy
Life is good. It’s exactly how I want it. No relationships. No kids. I own a business, and I have a nice home. I can do whatever I want and sleep with whomever I want. To make life even better, I have a hot neighbor that I love tormenting. His annoyance gives me great pleasure because he’s cute when he gets flustered. Too bad he has so many kids and a new boyfriend.

When my perfect life turns on its head after my friends die in a tragic accident, I end up with their teenage son in my care. To say that I’m freaking out is an understatement. I have no idea what the hell I’m doing. So, with my tail tucked between my legs, I ask for Seth’s help. Now, our growing friendship has me wondering if having a relationship would be so bad.

Seth Griffin
My neighbor, Calvin, is a jerk. He’s always making fun of me and turning my kids’ toys left in his yard into these totems. Weirdo. He’s annoying, and I hate that he’s hot. However, when he comes to me after becoming the guardian of a teenager, I decide to help him—just for the boy’s sake. Eventually, a close friendship develops between us, and feelings arise, but I shouldn’t want my neighbor.

I’m finally dating again after being abandoned by my ex-husband. While I would never cheat, this friendship with Cal is getting complicated, and I need to decide what to do about it. Then, my new boyfriend’s red flags are revealed, making my decision easier. It’s Calvin I run to now. It’s Calvin I want.

Tropes:

♠️ Neighbors
♠️ Unexpected Father
♠️ Single Dads
♠️ Pseudo Enemies to Lovers
♠️ Eventual Best Friends
♠️ Finding Love After Heartbreak
♠️ Hurt/Comfort
♠️ Bonding Through Poker
♠️ Found Family
♠️ Medium Burn
♠️ ‘I’ll Always Be There for You’

Sex before the relationship, grief, reluctant fatherhood, on page non-consensual breath play that led to bodily harm (not MCs), bullying of a child (not by MCs), abusive/narcissistic parent (not by an MC), death of friends, death of a secondary character, death of a parent, alcohol consumption, mentions of cheating and abandonment from previous relationships (not MCs).

387 pages

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