“Try again because this passive-aggressive crap you’ve been doing hasn’t gone unnoticed. Now be a woman and speak your mind.”
“Okay. It's just… I wanted Miracle. I thought when we came here, Tech would sign over his rights and I would keep her.”
Will scoffed, scratching his forehead with an amused expression. “So, let me get this right. You’re upset because he took responsibility forhisdaughter?”
Angela’s eyes turned heated as she glared at Will. “I spent months bonding with Miracle and taking care of her. In my eyes, she was already my daughter. Plus, she’s the last piece of Jenny that I have. She’s been my best friend since I was seven years old.”
Although I saw her perspective, I had no intention of saying sorry. Miracle was mine, and I wasn’t giving her up. All the things she did for Miracle were what any best friend would have done under the circumstances. That didn’t entitle her to my child.
“Angela, I understand where you’re coming from, but I’m not giving my daughter up. Now, I have no problem with you continuing to be a part of Miracle’s life, but that will be more of an Auntie role. If you’re going to be around, you need to respect the fact that Will and I are her fathers,” I told her firmly.
Will smiled at my words. Every time I acknowledged him as Miracle’s father, he would give me this goofy grin. Certain things we wanted were unfolding sooner than we thought.
“So, you’re basically saying I have to come here to be a part of her life.” Her tone had a bit of snarl in it. At this point, I was ready to snap.
“No, that’s not what I’m saying. I said it's too dangerous right now. But let me be clear. I don’t have to do a damn thing. If you want to be involved in Miracle's life, you’re going to kill this attitude you have going on. I will not apologize for not turning my back on my child!” I growled.
Angela’s eyes widened in shock. Everyone always thought that, because I was quiet and reserved, I was a pushover. It was the furthest thing from the truth. I wasn’t short-tempered like most of the guys, but I had my breaking points. I always showed respect to others, and if someone thought they weren’t going to give it back, then I would match their energy. Simple.
Angela sighed in defeat. “You’re right, and I’m sorry. My emotions are all over the place right now. I promise from here on out, I will not give you any more attitude. Just please don’t cut me out of her life.”
“I have no intention of doing so as long as you are respectful.”
She nodded, grabbing Miracle’s hand, and kissing it. “Well, I’ll let you get out of here. Miracle looks like she’s ready for a nap.”
I looked down and saw her slowly falling asleep in my arms. Will and I said goodbye to Angela as she made her way back into the room.
“I can’t believe she was doing all this because you decided to keep Miracle.” Will scoffed and rolled his eyes as we made our way up the hall.
“I know,” I agreed. “I’ve got enough on my plate right now. I’ll ban her from coming here before I let her add to the list of shit I’m dealing with.”
Will halted and put his hand on my arm. “Babe, I keep telling you to take a second and clear your head. Your eyes are puffy andred. Plus, I can't remember the last time I saw you smile other than when you're around Miracle and me.”
“I know, Dimples, but that’s easier said than?—”
Will waved his head, not trying to hear it. “Nope. You can relax. You’re choosing not to.” Gently, he took Miracle out of my arms. “Go find yourself something to do that doesn’t consist of you and your laptop in the same room.” He walked away without giving me a chance to respond.
“Dimples!” I called out.
“Bye, Jacob.”
I stood there for a second, not knowing what to do. After a few minutes, I decided to go to the gym and work out. Before Will, anytime I wanted to clear my head, I would go to the gym for hours. Before I went, I stopped by my room to change into a pair of athletic shorts and a wife-beater.
When I walked through the gym door, I saw it was packed. Viper, Bear, Big Red, Blade, and Torch were on the bench press, spotting each other. On the other side, Cara, Sara, Bianca, and Alice were walking on the treadmills. Well, all of them except for Cara. She was jogging while wearing one of those stomach things women wear. I didn’t know how she was going this hard, like she didn’t just have a baby.
I made my way over to the bench press right as Torch got up. “You next, Tech?” he asked me.
“Hell yeah. I need to clear my head.” I lay down, grabbed the bar, and lifted. I got about three pumps in before Viper broke the silence.
“How are you holding up? It seems like you can't even blink before some shit happens.”
“That’s a fuckin’ understatement.” I grunted as I continued to lift. “First, Will gets attacked, then Sire comes out of nowhere, and then BAM, I’m a father. I don’t know how much more I can take.”
“Well, you know I can relate to becoming an unexpected father. That shit hit me like a ton of bricks,” Blade said.
Everyone nodded because his story was much like mine. The only difference was that his daughters were three years old when he found out about them.
“How did you deal with it?” I questioned as I put the bar down and sat up.
