“Why’d you do that?” I ask.
“Checking the temperature of the formula. What’s his name?”
“Jack,” I say, relieved that I finally know an answer.
“Do you have a rocking chair?” she asks. I shake my head, and she sits on the couch. “Crib?”
I shrug. “Some little box thing Tawny brought over.”
“Box thing? Show me.”
I grab it out of the room I decided would be Jack’s and show it to her.
“That’s a bassinet, which will do in a pinch, but he’s growing pretty big already. You’ll want a crib for him. What about a baby monitor?”
I shake my head.
“Diaper Genie?”
“A what?”
“Start making a list,” she says.
“A list?” I ask stupidly. “I wasn’t expecting a kid, and I’m not planning to keep him.”
“He’s yourson, Dex. You can’t just give him away.”
“Tawny did.”
“You’re panicking, and that’s normal. But I can help you through this transition, okay?”
I blow out a breath. “I don’t want to do this.”
She stares down at the baby as he sucks down that bottle. “I know. But you have to.”
I’m not convinced she’s right just yet…but I think I’m starting to face facts.
Regardless, the kid needs supplies, so a few hours later, Target is making a delivery with all of these new products. Milton sends back the dress and manages to get Ainsley’s luggage back, though she has to promise to interview with producers before they’ll release her phone. We also negotiate daily payment while she’s here helping me out.
So far, she seems to know everything about babies, and having her here is pulsing a sense of relief in me I wasn’t expecting. And that’s hard to put a price tag on.
I’m still not convinced this is real, but either way, I’ll need these things for the next few days until I figure out the next step.
CHAPTER 4: Dex Bradley
Completely and Totally Incompetent
What the fuck is that noise?
I’m awakened from a peaceful sleep with…a baby crying?
I glance at the clock. It’s three in the morning.
And maybe my sleep isn’t exactlypeaceful.
I may have had a drink or six before I went to bed.
I like a cold beer after dinner. Or, you know, a couple of glasses filled with whiskey while I stand by my windows looking over the flashing lights in the near distance as I try to figure my life out.
