AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“She was my college girlfriend. Well, not really a girlfriend. We had a fling…” My eyes drop to the kid because I’m not sure I should be talking about flings and friends-with-benefits in front of a minor.
The kid just looks up at me unflinchingly. “I don’t know what else to tell you, mister. You’re my dad.”
My world tilts off axis. I reach a hand out to the wall, glad that I have something nearby that I can use to steady myself.
“No, I’m not,” I argue.
I know I’m being ridiculous arguing with a kid, but I can’t help it. I’m desperately grasping on to any sense of normalcy I can find.
“Why are you here?” Nova asks calmly.
“Mom said it’s his turn to take care of me now,” the kid informs us.
“Where is your mother?”
The kid shrugs.
“You don’t know?” Sazuki asks with a hint of concern.
“Mom disappeared.” His eyes land on me. “She said you might try to send me back, but there’s no ‘back’ to return to.”
The kid’s phone keeps ringing.
Nova reaches for it and answers. “Hello?”
I pin my eyes on her, watching every expression that flits across her face.
“I’m Adam Harrison’s executive assistant,” Nova says in a calm, crisp voice. “Are you…” She pauses and glances at the kid. “What’s your name?”
“Rowan.”
“Are you Rowan’s mother?”
I hold my breath.
Nova’s eyes slice sharply to me and then she hands over the phone. “You should talk to her.”
The last thing I want to do is take that phone.
This can’t be happening. Someone’s playing a cruel joke. As long as I pretend it’s just a dream, maybe it’ll all go away.
Nova lifts my hand, smacks the phone in my palm and gives me a look that says ‘answer it’.
I put the phone to my ear and step away from the audience of Dejonae, Sazuki, and Rowan.
“Alexa?”
“I should have told you years ago.” A voice I haven’t heard for over a decade blasts in my ear. “But he’s really yours, Adam. I put his birth certificate in his backpack. You also have my permission to take him for a paternity test, but it won’t change the truth. He’s your kid.”
“MY…” I realize I’m shouting and lower my voice to a hiss. “Mykid?Alexa, you can’t just dump a human being on my doorstep without warning and expect—what the hell do you expect?”
“Let him stay with you for a bit.”
“No.” I’m resolute.
“Why not? I dealt with him for eleven years without your help and support. It’s your turn now.”
“My turn?”
