“It was very stupid of you to fill your head with fanciful notions.”
“We belong together,” she sobs. “Why won’t you give us a chance?”
“For fuck’s sake, Pepper!” I shout. “There is no us!”
“Don’t do this. I’m different from Lauren and the other women you’ve dated.”
I seize her throat in a bruising hold and jerk her to me, pressing my nose against hers. “It’s. Fucking. Over.”
“I’ll do whatever you want,” she cries hysterically. “I love you.”
“You’re fucking pathetic.”
She throws her arms around my neck. “I can’t lose you.”
I roughly push her away, and she crumples to the floor. “Have some fucking dignity.”
“Dom, please.”
“Come here again and I’ll have you tossed out on your ass.” I leave her broken and crying.
“Aww, my grandbaby is so handsome,” my mother coos. “Yes, you are.”
Hunter giggles, flailing his chubby arms excitedly and blowing spit bubbles. My folks babysat while my lawyer and I met to discuss the next steps. Sandy Rucker abandoned Hunter without a bottle or a single diaper. I gave my mom and dad money to buy him the important baby essentials. I’ll get the big stuff later. I parked my ass on the sofa and haven’t moved since getting back. Pepper and the possibility of being a father plague my thoughts. She could be pregnant. The image of her midsection expanding with my child stirs my cock, and I refuse to examine the why.
“I may not be his father,” I remind her.
“Bite your tongue. This is my grandchild.” She protectively cradles him against her bosom. “He’s the spitting image of you at this age.”
“Your mother’s right.” Dad turns his attention from his favorite crime show to chime in. “There’s no denying the strong Stone genes.”
It’s obvious they’re already in love with him.
Jensen walks through the front door. “So, this is my nephew,” he says, ruffling Hunter’s tuft of hair.
“You two were supposed to keep quiet for now.”
“He called and heard Hunter babbling,” Mom says.
Drew comes in, and I give her a reproachful look.
“Since Jensen knows, there’s no reason for Drew not to.”
He’s pissed at me, so I’m surprised he came.
“I’m going to start dinner,” Mom says.
“I’ll take him,” Jensen offers.
Mom hands Hunter off and goes into the kitchen.
“Cute kid.” Drew sits beside me.
“Thanks.”
“I spoke to Pepper today,” he says for my ears only.
“Not now.”
