It’s petty and immature of me, but I’ve taken to messing with him at lunch. Intentionally eating my food in a provocative manner. His eyes burn. His jaw clenches. And once his skin even rippled as though he were about to shift. But despite his suggestion two days ago, that next time he’ll make me come with his mouth, he hasn’t said a single word to me. I’ve been on the receiving end of heated stares and lingering looks, but that’s it. No words. No smiles or openings for conversation. No way to casually say, “Did I mention we have a son together?”
I hate it, and I love it, and I have no freaking idea what to do about it. Finding a way to tell Jordy about César was complicated enough to begin with. Now it’s a cluster fuck of epic proportions.
The doorbell rings, startling me from my thoughts, and I rush to answer it, César propped on my hip, his head on my shoulder. I’m equal parts terrified and excited for Isa and Meiying to meet him. I haven’t introduced him to anyone outside of family except for KeAnna, and she’s my best friend so that doesn’t count.
“Relax, Jo,” KeAnna says as she joins me. “They’re gonna love him.”
I gave Isa a heads-up that I wanted to introduce her to someone important to me, but I didn’t give her any details and I’m pretty sure this isn’t who she had in mind.
I open the door and find both girls waiting with Zheng right behind them. Shit. I’d completely forgotten he was coming. I swallow hard and all three sets of eyes zero in on the little boy I’m holding.
“Hey, come on in,” I say, ushering them inside.
Dressed in a knee-length hoodie dress and black sneakers, Isa is beaming when she steps inside. “Is he yours?” she asks with open curiosity. I nod. “Oh, my God. He’s adorable.” She touches one tiny hand, her eyes shining with wonder as she gazes at my precious bundle. “How old is he?”
I swallow hard. “Nine months.”
Her smile widens. “You did good, momma.” She moves to the side, making way for the others, and I lead everyone through the kitchen and into the living room.
“Told you,” KeAnna whispers. “Shifters love babies.”
I nudge her with my elbow playfully, grateful that things are off to a good start.
“My mom will be here in a little bit, and she’s going to hang out with him. He usually goes to bed around eight, but he didn’t get a nap today, so he zonked out early,” I say for everyone else.
Meiying moves closer and gives César a quick once-over. She’s dressed in ripped jeans and a flannel shirt over a black tank top, her hair thrown in her usual messy bun style. “He’s cute,” she says in way of greeting. “Doesn’t look anything like you.”
“Meiying!” Zheng growls.
“What? It’s not a bad thing. He’d still be cute if he looked like her.” She rolls her eyes and then turns her attention to KeAnna, a mischievous glint in her eyes. “I’m Meiying, by the way. You must be Desmond’s sister?”
“In the flesh. I’m KeAnna, and I must say, I’m kind of obsessed with you. You have to tell me what it is that you do to my brother that gets him so worked up damn near every day. I need some pointers.” Isa and I laugh, but Zheng has a pinched expression on his face I can’t quite read, though he doesn’t comment. I don’t know Meiying or Desmond very well, but even an idiot can see there’s something going on there. Whenever they’re in the same room together, it’s like everyone else has to brace themselves for the oncoming explosion. I can’t tell if it’s hatred that fuels their responses or if they’re secretly into each other. Either way, Desmond and Meiying in the same space for more than a few minutes is a recipe for disaster.
The girls head to the sofa just as my mom walks into the room, hanging her purse and keys on a nearby hook.
“Sorry I’m late. I had a few errands to run.” She pulls César from my arms and rubs his back while making small shushing sounds when he squirms. In no time he’s back to being fast asleep. “We’ll be upstairs, but you kids have fun.” She waves to my new friends, exhaustion tugging on her features. She’d normally stop and chat for a few minutes, but I know she’s been working late. Helping Diego with some of his work at his office after she gets off from a full day of work herself. I worry about her. What she might be involved in. But it isn’t my place to question her.
“Thank you,” I mouth and watch as she heads upstairs.
“Where’s the baby going?” Isa whines, a mock pout on her lips. “I wanted to hold him.”
“Why, with the way you and Rafael fuck like rabbits every chance you get you’ll probably have one of your own soon enough,” Meiying remarks.
Isa smacks her arm, but there’s a smile on her face that tells me she doesn’t hate the idea.
“Sorry. Come over earlier next time and you can hold him. Promise,” I tell her, secretly thrilled that not only do they seem completely fine with the fact I have a child, but genuinely interested in him too.
“Urgh, fine. But if he wakes up, I call dibs on baby snuggles. He’s so freaking cute.”
My heart warms and I hesitantly ask the one question that’s been on my mind since we made plans to get together. “So…you don’t care that I have a kid?” I didn’t make many friends in Star Valley. I wasn’t there very long. But what friends I did make when we first moved didn’t last long after having César. They always wanted me to leave him with my mom. They thought it was inconvenient for him to be around even if all we were doing was homework or going out to lunch. It was disheartening to say the least. And it’s not like he caused problems. He was a newborn at the time. All he did was eat, sleep, and poop. His abilities were non-existent at the time too.
“Why would we?” Meiying asks. “He’s cute. He’s yours. I don’t see what the big deal is.”
“You seriously have no idea how relieved I am to hear that. I was so nervous to tell you guys.”
KeAnna gives me an I-told-you-so look just as Zheng steps forward and places a hand on my lower back. “He’s a cute kid. And no one who matters is going to treat you any different for having him.”
“Aww,” Isa coos. “See. This is why we like having you around. You’re such a big softy.”
