“I learned by trial and error, a lot of Internet research, and plenty of calls to my mother.” Sometimes in complete tears. Especially when Ledger had been an infant and she couldn’t figure out why he was crying. Or why he wouldn’t nurse. Or what to do when he was teething. Or had a fever. Or…
The list was long. Raising a child was certainly humbling.
Once she pulled back the covers, Zeke placed Ledger in his bed, swept his hair off his forehead, and stared down at their son. “He’s perfect, Ky.”
Holy shit.She needed to stop letting this man affect her every time he didn’t act like a cocky asshole.
“I’m sure your parents thought the same about you when you were that age,” she murmured as she carefully removed Ledger’s shoes. She’d deal with the rest of his clothes, his teeth, and dirty face later.
After tucking him in, they quietly left the room and she shut the door completely because she wanted to talk to Zeke without waking up Ledger.
“I have something to ask you.” She headed out to the living room with Zeke on her heels.
“Gonna get you some scratch soon, Ky.”
“While that would be helpful, that’s not what I need to ask.” When they reached the living room, she turned to face him.
Holy shit, the man was drop-dead gorgeous. And it seemed that having a kid was humbling him, too. But at his core, she had no doubt he was still that arrogant asshole. One ready to get into a fight at the drop of a hat.
“Was he good for you?”
“Fuckin’ great. Spent some time with my mom. She ain’t happy ‘bout not tellin’ him who she is.”
“I’m sure,” she mumbled. “Soon. I promise.” Though, the thought gave her anxiety.
“Not soon enough, Ky.”
“Once I figure out what’s the best way to do it. I think we should both be there when I tell him. Then we can slowly introduce everyone else.”
“The best way to do it’s just fuckin’ tell him, Ky. Can do that this weekend.”
This weekend? “Maybe. I’ll let you know.”
“Ain’t no maybe ‘bout it. This weekend,” he insisted.
“Zeke—”
“That’s what you wanted to fuckin’ ask me? For today’s report?”
Oh, he was good. He was trying to keep her from arguing by changing the subject. “No.”
“Then, what?”
“I…um…” She bit her lower lip. He was not going to like what she was about to ask. He’d be fine with the request itself, but not the reason for it. Because of that, she braced herself to deal with the blowback. “I have a date Friday night and I figured you could stay here with Ledger while I’m out.”
He stared at her.
Then stared at her some more.
During that time, his relaxed demeanor quickly disappeared. “What?”
She simplified her request. “Friday night. Me and a date. You and Ledger.”
His jaw shifted. “Heard you.”
“Then why did you?—”
“Fuck that,” he grumbled.
