My heart aches at the words. “He’s surrounded by people… women.”
“It’s not the same. He didn’t grow up with what we did, Cal.”
The pain in Hayes’s voice cracks my heart open.
“I gotta ask you something,” he says. “And it’s none of my business, but I have to know… do you want more than he’s offering?”
I stare at my hands. Because what I want is dangerous. What I want is a man choosing me on purpose—not because I’m pregnant, not because I’m convenient, but because he wants… me.
“Because from where I stand, from what I see, there’s more than co-parenting going on.” I snap my head up, and he nods. “I didn’t say anything to Foster. I’d never put pressure on him since you’re my sister. It really is between you and him, but I just have to tell you…”
“What?” I swear my heart is lodged in my throat.
“I’m Team Callie every day of the week. But I’m also Team Foster. I want the best for both of you. And the fact that you’re making me an uncle together makes me pretty fucking happy, but raising a baby is going to bring you guys closer. Hell, you’re living with him. You’re holding his hand, and the ease between you when you’re together…” He shakes his head. “I’m not warning you against him. He’s worth the work it’s going to take, but it is going to be work, Callie. It’s going to take time.”
“Sure sounds like a warning.”
He shakes his head. “It’s not. I love the guy, and I think the two of you would be awesome together. I guess I’m just saying that I don’t want to see either of you get hurt.”
“We really are just co-parenting together. I’m living there because he wants us to be friends.”
He quirks an eyebrow, and I’m pretty sure we both know there’s more to it, even if I desperately wish what I said was true. It’d make it easier on my fragile heart.
“I’m serious. He wants to be part of his child’s life and thinks we need to become friends in order to give our baby a good family life.”
“He’s not wrong.”
“But?” Now I quirk an eyebrow.
“There’s clearly tension between you.” He’s quick to raise his hand. “I do not want details, but you slept together once and conceived a baby. Who’s to say that tension won’t boil over again? I just want to say, don’t go into it lightly. You both have to hold one another accountable.”
“When did you get your psych degree?”
“Maybe because when I went after Leighton, I knew the score. She came with three kids who were in it with us. Their hearts, their feelings would be affected by the outcome of our relationship. And it worked for us. It’s the best thing to ever happen in my life. I want the same for you. If that’s with Foster, awesome, but I’m only asking you to give him time. I know you’ve been screwed over in the past and?—”
“We’re not anything,” I remind him.
He huffs. “Right now, maybe. I don’t see it staying that way. Just be patient.”
“Are you warning me because you know I suck at patience?”
He chuckles. “Well, you do. And he does too.”
“Okay.” I pat his knee. “I hear you.”
“What did you hear?”
“I heard that if it goes south—which it won’t because we’re only going to be co-parents—that you’re not necessarily going to take my side.”
He shakes his head. “Of course that’s what you got from it.”
I jump up and stand in front of him. “Well, congratulations, Uncle Hayes.”
He stands and holds out his arms. “Congratulations, Mommy. I hope your kid’s first word isn’t fuck.”
I laugh as he wraps me in his arms. “It most likely will be. You’re really good with it?”
“Yeah, I’m good, but you two need to stop keeping secrets. I do not want to be surprised at a press conference ever again.”
