Probability of paternity: 99.9%
Jacob Miller is confirmed as the biological father.
My real name. The one I barely use anymore. The one that belongs to the person I was before I became Ghost.
I fold the paper and hand it back to Ash. “Okay.”
“Okay?” Titan looks at me. “That’s all you have to say? You just found out you’re going to be a father, and your response is‘okay’?”
“What do you want me to say?”
“I don’t know. Something with more than two syllables.”
I look at Bonnie. She’s searching my face for a reaction I don’t know how to give.
“I’m not unhappy about it,” I say finally.
It’s not enough. I can see that in her expression. She needs more from me. But I don’t have more to give. Not right now. Not with Ash and Titan watching.
An awkward silence settles over the office. We all know this changes things even if we’re pretending it doesn’t.
Titan breaks it. “So who gets Bonnie tonight? Because if I recall correctly, it’s Ghost’s turn in the rotation.”
“It is,” I confirm.
“Convenient timing.” Titan grins, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. “You find out you’re going to be a dad and you get to celebrate.”
“I’m not celebrating.”
“Sure you’re not.”
Bonnie stands. “I’m tired. Can we be done with this conversation?”
“Yeah.” Ash moves toward her. “Go rest. We’ll handle everything else.”
She nods and heads for the door. I follow.
We walk through the compound in silence. Brothers nod as we pass, but don’t speak. The sun is setting, painting everything in shades of orange and red.
My room is on the second floor, at the end of the hall. I unlock the door and hold it open for her. She steps inside, and I close the door quietly behind us.
The silence continues. She stands in the middle of my room, arms wrapped around herself, staring at nothing.
“You okay?” I ask.
“I don’t know.” She turns to face me. “Are you okay?”
“I don’t know either.”
A small smile tugs at her lips. “At least we’re honest.” She moves closer. “I can’t tell if you’re happy about this or not.”
“I told you. I’m not unhappy.”
“That’s not the same thing.”
“It’s the best I can give you right now.”
She studies my face, searching for something more. When she doesn’t find it, she nods. “Okay.”
