“I understand,” she said.
“Do you?” I asked, ungraciously. “Because I hold you partially responsible for this. And quite frankly, the only reason I’m letting Felix back in your class is because he adores you and I don’t want him dealing with anymore trauma. But one step in the wrong direction, and you’ll deal with me on a very unfriendly level.”
“Ms. Moretti, please be assured, this will never happen again.”
“You have my cell phone number, should you have any questions.”
“Yes,” Ms. Watson confirmed.
I nodded again and made my way over to Felix. “Fox, I’m heading out, bud.”
“Okay, Auntie,” he said, hugging me, then going back to his friends. I lingered for a minute, watching him, until he waved, and I was summarily dismissed.
Walking out of the school, I headed to my car, my phone buzzing just as I started the engine. “Sabrina Moretti.”
“Hey, Breezy.”
“Oh, hi, Stoney,” I said, putting my car into reverse.
“Got the results back.”
I put the car back into park. “Wow. And?”
“He’s my kid and I have no intention of signing away parental rights.”
I closed my eyes and nodded.
“Did I lose you?” he asked.
“Sorry, no. I’m here,” I said. “Are you okay with all of this?”
“Am I okay your sister got pregnant and didn’t tell me? No. Am I okay I’ve missed six years of my kid’s life? No. Am I okay that Felix is my kid? Fuck, yeah.”
I bit my lip. “I’m really sorry my sis—”
“Not your apology to give, sweetheart,” he said. “So. How do you want this to play out?”
“I don’t know, honestly. I just don’t want to lose him,” I rasped.
“I’m not gonna take him away from you, Sabrina.”
“Really?”
“Fuck, you seriously need to stop thinkin’ the worst of me.”
“You’re right.” I sighed. “I’m sorry. I’m not used to this. Ria and Luca kind of sheltered me from more than I would have liked. Ria slept with a lot of men, and they were usually bikers or men who were of loose morals as Mama says. I’m freaking out, honestly, but I want Felix to know you. Does any of that make sense? I don’t mean to offend you.”
“Baby, you’re not offending me. I love that you’re unfiltered. I always want you to be honest with me. I promise I’ll always be honest with you.”
“I noticed.”
“You wanna meet for dinner and we can hash some of this shit out?”
“That might be a good idea,” I said.
“Your place, or do you wanna go out?”
“My place is fine. Fox is with Luca tomorrow night. Does that work?”
