“No, I swear it. That was God’s honest truth.” He tries to take a step toward me, but I push into my brother before turning toRush.
“Get me out of here. I can’t take another second of it.” I make a mad dash for the exit, and Rush is right there with me, protecting me, loving me like only a true brothercan.
I feel like such afool.
Hell, I amone.
Seth
Serena, Trixie, and Lex take off after Sunday, and just as I’m about to join them, Rush comes bounding back in, a look of rage and delirium in his eyes, and as much as I want to duck, I stand a little taller, ready to take it on thechin.
Rush blindsides me with a sucker punch to the gut before going for the upper cut and landing it smack in myeye.
“Shit,” I bark as I stagger back. I’m pretty sure he just put my eye out. There’s no coming back from a blow thatpowerful.
Rush slams me against the wall. “That’s right, you little shit.” He decks me again, and both Marlin and Nolan try their best to pluck him off. “You fucked my sister? It’s unreal! You don’t have a brain, because if you did, you’d realize what a stupid mistake that was. You’re going to pay for this, Baker. I never thought I’d say these words to you, but you are dead to me.” He takes off once again, and I find myself staring in the face of Sunday’s father, Chuck. His eyes are filled with venom, his face red as if he’s ready toblow.
“Do you love my daughter?” His voice rattles the window behind him he shouts it soloud.
“Yes.” I look to Nolan a moment. “Ido.”
He grunts as if it was the wrong answer. “Then why did you let her think you weren’t the father? What kind of coward move wasthat?”
Dad steps over. “Who are you calling a coward? My son just declared his love for your daughter—who, by the way, couldn’t even identify the father of her child. I think that says a lot righthere.”
“Alot,” Momchimes.
Sunday’s father throws a punch and lands Dad flying backward, knocking both of my parents down like bowling pins. Nolan and Misty do their best to help them to their feet as the chaos notches upagain.
“Enough of this,” Nolan barks. “This night wasn’t supposed to go this way.” He glares at me. He looks to my sister, and she gives a tired nod. “The reason we brought everyone out tonight is because we have news to share. Come next Christmas, we’ll be having an addition to the family—one of ourown.”
“Misty!” Mom raises her hands in the air with jubilation. “Is thistrue?”
Misty nods while taking a moment to glare at me. “A little cousin for Seth’s child to play with.” She comes over and wraps her arms around me. “Congratulations, little brother. I’m sorry things are a mess right now. I just know that in a year when we’re both bouncing babies on our knees, none of this will matter. I’m sure you and Sunday will have everything ironed out. It’s going to be okay.” I look past her as Chuck and my parents apprehensively hug it out, and I can’t help but feel a twinge of hope, but as soon as it peeks its weary head over the horizon, it dies back down. I’ve hurt Sunday, disappointed just about everyone I know. I don’t think it’ll ever beokay.
Axel and Shep come over and nod to me as they take off. Great. I’m sure I can kiss any fat donation Collins and Associates was about to gift us goodbye. I’d give anything if I could go back and tell Sunday right from the beginning. But that’s a superhero move, and God knows they don’t issue cowards like me a cape or the ability to time travel. I’ve screwed everything up, and now I have to live withit.
* * *
Sunday isn’t toointerested in hearing anything I might have to say. Trixie let me know in no uncertain terms that I’m not to contact Sunday. She is strictly off-limits. Rush will chop off my dick if I even try—Trixie’s cryptic words, notmine.
I spend the weekend in bed just staring at the ceiling, sleep evading me as I hope to God Sunday will call, but she doesn’t. Monday after my first final, which I’m sure I tanked, I head over to the Mustang Dome. The only thing I want to do is sink a few hoops, do something right for a change, and maybe clear myhead.
No sooner do I step in than I find someone’s already beaten me toit.
“Eli,” I say a little too loud as if coming out of a trance. “Hey.” I nod as I make my way over. I have no clue if Sunday filled him in on the truth, but if not, I’ll gladly put the poor guy out of hismisery.
“What’s up?” He sounds dejected as he shoots for the hoop and makes it in with a rim shot. He chases after the ball and passes it tome.
“Did you talk to Sunday?” I pull my backpack off and drop it to the floor before heading toward the hoop myself. “About thebaby?”
“Yup.” He scratches at the back of his neck as he glances to the exit. “I guess the word is out, huh? Wish I knew earlier, but what can you do? I don’t blame her.” He takes off for the benches, and I follow him. “I tried to contact her over the weekend, but she’s not responding. I went over there this morning, and her roommate said for me to come back.” He takes a seat and drops his head between his knees like he might be sick. “Dude, I don’t know what the hell to do. I was going to head to grad school, but I think I’ll pull out.” He comes up with a dull laugh roaring from him. “Wish I pulled out four long monthsago.”
“Five, but don’t worry about it, man.” I shoot the ball across the room as I take a seat next to him. “It’s not yourkid.”
“What?” He looks my way, the thick look of worry still rife on his face. “Sunday says it’s mine. I’m pretty sure she wouldn’t mess with me. And I was with someone that night. But it’s all a blur. She was right. I was prettytoasted.”
“You weren’t with her. Iwas.”
