Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 102185 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 511(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 102185 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 511(@200wpm)___ 409(@250wpm)___ 341(@300wpm)
I dart my gaze to my mug again, drowning in his words and trying to think of every way this scenario might play out. I can’t think clearly with my mind playing tricks on me. Setting the mug down, he reaches between us and takes hold of my hand. He tilts his head to catch my gaze, and when he does, he asks, “Is Jacob’s father in his life?”
“Yes,” I reply, barely audible to my own ears. “He’s your son, Griffin.”
CHAPTER 23
Griffin
“Come again?”
Leaning toward the beautiful brunette, I angle my head to place my ear in direct hearing distance. Squeezing my eyes shut to clear the haze that’s come over them, I take a deep breath. I heard Cricket perfectly fine, but my body wasn’t ready. I wasn’t ready. Now I am.
As if she’s been holding her breath, she exhales. “Jacob is your son.” Throwing her hands in front of her, she adds, “So to answer your question, his father is now in his life.”
“As the naked man sneaking from his mom’s window? Great first impression.” I walk into the living room, needing room to think. Her steps sound against the floor before promptly stopping at the threshold. Is she worried about me? I don’t know how to comfort her and process this information at the same time.
With my back to her, I stare out the front window, watching a truck with a bed full of white chairs drive by. The wedding . . . I really fucking wish this didn’t come out when we are being torn for her attention.
Locking my fingers on top of my head, I turn back, and say, “I would have preferred meeting him at birth instead of in the yard at three years old.”
“I would have preferred that, too, but it’s not how it’s happening. We’re here now. Tell me what you’re thinking.”
I can see the way she’s lodged behind the far side of the island as if she needs the protection, or maybe she needs some distance of her own. “I don’t know what to think.” I drop my arms to my sides and glance toward the front door like Jacob might return any minute. “Where is he?”
“The park is an area of the property that only the family has access to, behind a metal gate with a keypad. He’s safe.”
“I’m not worried about his safety. I’m worried when I’ll get to meet my son.”
“Well, that’s not going to happen right now.” She moves around, running her fingers over the stone counter and stopping just before reaching the edge. “No.” She shakes her head like I’ve crossed some invisible line she’s drawn. Staring at me, she snaps, “I need to talk to him first. He’s three. He won’t understand some guy just walking in and claiming to be his father.” Her irritation grows before my eyes as she finally leaves the border of the kitchen and comes to stand a few feet in front of me. Waving her hand between us, she tries to level me with a glare. “We’re not just hard launching you as his father to a three-year-old and all of Dover Creek. You and I need to figure out a few things first.”
“Dover Creek isn’t a concern of mine. I’m not from around here. Remember?” The question seems to strike, causing her head to jut back. Pointing at where I assume is the park buried somewhere on this property, I say, “Jacob is.”
“If Jacob’s your concern, then we need to work together to make this a smooth transition for him.”
“He’s not changing schools his senior year. He’s meeting the father that he should have had all along.”
Crossing her arms over her chest, she says, “I don’t like your tone.”
“I don’t like this whole fucking situation, but I’m doing the best I can under the circumstances.” I close my eyes to gather my scattered thoughts, so I can get better control of my reaction. “I know you better than the thoughts that are trying to seize the opportunity. You wouldn’t have told me if you didn’t want me to be in his life.” Her mouth drops open.
“Is that being used against me?”
There’s no way I’m telling a woman to calm down when I wasn’t calm myself. “No. Not at all.” I take a breath and even my tone. “We both agree that this is not ideal, but this is the hand we’ve been dealt. I want to meet him. That doesn’t mean I’m going to blurt out that I’m his dad. I want what’s best for him, Cricket. Considering his age, this might be a slow process—”
“That sounds like you plan to be in his life. Does that mean you’re sticking around? Because if you’re not—”
“I’ll stick around.”
“You didn’t have an answer for me the other day.”
We’re standing here like two strangers arguing over the last bagel at the coffee shop. “Now I do.” I move closer, take each step with caution, not because I fear her reactions. I don’t want her to fear mine. “We’re on the same side just like we were an hour ago. I promise that I don’t want to hurt Jacob, but I won’t hurt you either.” When I get close enough to reach out and touch her, I say, “I didn’t get a chance to tell you how much I enjoyed last night. How much it meant to me.”