“Because it might make Daddy sad again.”
Brenden looked at Stephen, who had no idea what Nicholas was talking about.
“You can tell me anything. You know that, right?” Brenden asked as he wiped away the tears from Nicholas’ eyes. “Why would your dad be sad?”
“If my other dad comes to visit, you won’t come and visit us anymore. And then Daddy won’t smile anymore.”
Stephen smiled, and so did Brenden. “What if I told you that won’t happen?” he said, stepping closer to Brenden and Nicholas.
Nicholas stopped crying and looked at Stephen. “Hey,” Brenden said, getting Nicholas’ attention. “I’m not going anywhere. I’m here for good. That’s because I’m your other dad,” he told their son. Nicholas gasped and looked between Brenden and Stephen, and he wondered if his son really understood what he just heard.
“You’re my daddy?” he said in surprise.
“Yup,” Brenden said with a chuckle and Nicholas cheered. Stephen felt a small weight lift off his shoulders now that Nicholas knew the truth, there was no more hiding things.
Julian walked in surprising them all. “What’s got you so excited, Nick?”
“Grandpa!” Nicholas yelled and wiggled against Brenden to be let down.
He ran over to Julian babbling a mile a second telling him that Brenden was his dad and how he won’t have to worry about his dad being sad anymore. Julian was listening, but his eyes were on Stephen, and he knew what his father was asking him. He shook his head, letting his dad know that Brenden still didn’t know about the baby.But he will soon.Stephen decided that before the day was over, he would corner Brenden and tell him they were having another baby. He prayed that Brenden would be willing to listen to reason.
** ** ** ** **
“Hey, Young, wait up!”
Stephen stopped just short after getting off the elevator, hearing his name being called out. He turned and saw Baker coming his way. Stephen mentally groaned, Baker was an utter annoyance that he could deal without after having such a good morning. Usually, he would blame it on hormones due to his condition, but he didn’t think that was the case dealing with Baker.
Stephen had heard the rumors around the office of the kind of guy Baker was, and it wasn’t good. He’d barely missed the other man the last time he was there. He watched Baker as he walked as if he was cocksure about something. On a professional level, he knew his job and got things done, he was professional and worked well with other teams. Baker stopped in front of him.
“Baker, what can I do for you?” Stephen asked briskly.
“How do you like working here, is it better than the office in Chicago?”
Stephen had a pretty good idea that was not the question Baker was going to ask. “It’s like any other office—busy, bad guys are everywhere. Is that all? I have work to do.”
“No,” Baker responded shoving his hands in his pockets. “Yeah, well, maybe.”
Stephen wasn’t buying the innocent flustered look. “What’s up?”
“Do you want to go out with me this weekend?” Baker asked with the cocksure smile on his face.
“I can’t, I have plans this weekend,” he answered truthfully. His life was too complicated right now, and he didn’t need to complicate it more by adding Baker, or anyone else, to it.
“With who? Smith?” Baker scowled.
Stephen took a deep breath and let it out slowly. “What the fuck does Smith have to do with me?”
“Please, I see the way he watches you when you aren’t looking.”
“I don’t know what the hell you think you’re seeing, but who I spend my time with is none of your damn business.” Stephen turned and walked through the glass doors, he even ignored the barb thrown in his direction when Baker whispered, “Fucking Ice Prince.”
** ** ** ** **
Brenden looked at the number on his cell phone screen and his eyebrows creased together in confusion.Why would she be calling me?He debated on whether to answer the call or not. He hadn’t spoken to her since the night he told her he wasn’t looking for a wife. Curiosity got the better of him.
“Paige, what can I do for you?”
“Well, someone doesn’t sound happy to hear from me.”
