I laugh, my forehead creasing.“I hate to break it to you, but you are aware that it only takes one time to get pregnant?”
He gives me hisdon’t give me shitlook.“I am aware, yes.I remember health class.It’s just that the probabilities were in your favor.I’ve been with you the most, so you had the highest chance of being his mother.”
Not wanting to get into a back-and-forth with him, I decide to end the focus of this conversation.“Well, he’s not mine.I’ve never been pregnant.Besides, you’re religious about condoms.My ego still hasn’t recovered from Lollapalooza.”
He blows out a breath.“Are you ever going to let that go?”
I grab a beer from the fridge, twist the cap off, and take a long sip, tipping the bottle toward him.“Probably not.”
“Don’t worry, I didn’t want one or anything.”
“You have a baby to care for.”I pick up the burp towel between my pinkie and thumb and toss it on the coffee table.“Responsible adult and all that.”I sit on the couch, acting cool and calm when really my heart is racing and all I can think about is what he’ll say when I ask him to marry me.“You look like shit, by the way.”
“Remind me to invite you over more often, Hadley.Oh that’s right, I didn’t invite you.”He rests his head back and yeah… he looks wrecked.
“Sorry, I meant to say you actually look like you’re rocking this dad thing.”
He narrows his eyes, and I give him a saccharine smile.
“Remind me why you’re here again?”Easton arches a brow.
Right.I’m not here to talk about how exhausted he looks.I’m here to get what I need, but I’m not sure I’m ready yet, so I stall.“First, tell me about the baby.”
I need time to figure out how to sell this to him, which I should’ve done before coming here, but I tend to act on impulse.
“A week ago, he was left with Ruby downstairs with a note that said I’m the daddy.”
I laugh—but when he doesn’t, I cover my mouth.“Sorry… it’s just… that actually happens?”
“Apparently.”His gaze sweeps the condo and all the baby items.“Look around, Hadley.Gone are the days of fucking against walls.This is my life now.”
“If there was a letter, why did you think I was the mom?”
“There was no name on it.She clearly doesn’t want me to find her.”He hands me the paper.It’s been read so many times it’s practically worn thin like a preteen’s first love letter from her crush.“The paternity test should come back in a day or two.”
I read the letter and yeah, not much to go on in regard to who the mom is.“Shit, Easton, I’m sorry.”
Looks like we’re both screwed right now.Except I’m the one with a deadline.
“I should have fucked you at Lollapalooza since apparently, condoms aren’t a failsafe anyway.”
“Well, technically only abstinence is.”
He gives me hiscut the shitlook again.I need to dial back the banter if I want this to work.
I put up my hands.“Okay, no more making fun of each other.”
“Playing nice.You must need something big.”
No hiding under humor, Hadley.Suck it up and ask the man.
I sip my beer, continuing to stall.“Who said I wanted something?”
“Well, since my dick is still tucked into my shorts, I’m certain you’re not here for what usually brings you here, so give it to me.”
“Do you want your dick out of your shorts?”
“My head is all over the place.Sadly, I’m not even sure I could get it up.”
