What I don’t announce to the table is that Corine Lamb won’t be single for much longer. I keep that to myself for now, but everyone, including her, will know soon enough.
“Why don’t you shut up, loser?” Devin replies.
“Isn’t your baby mama serving twenty to life?” Cori snaps at her brother. “At least I’m not a useless single dad with a felon baby mama.”
“Cori, that’s enough,” her dad warns. “Devin, shut your fat trap.” Leander points at his daughter. “I believe Dax asked you a question.”
“What question?” The little vixen picks up her water glass and sips.
“I would be honored if you’d give me the privilege of taking you to dinner and a movie.” Her eyes narrow at me, and I know the wheels in her duplicitous little head are spinning.
“Oh, I forgot to tell you guys.” Cori looks around the table. “I’ve met someone. He’s great, and um, I’m waiting for the right time to introduce you to him.”
Devin clears his throat and says, “Liar,” while fake coughing. “Liar.”
I tilt my head to the side, but the baby whimpers, so I look down and rock her.
“You’re so good with her,” Mrs. Lamb says before she purses her lips and looks at her daughter in displeasure.
“I love babies.” It’s the truth. I do. “I’d love to have about half a dozen.”
“Half a dozen?” I nearly laugh at Cori’s shock. “I hope you have a good, strong uterus.” She snorts into her water glass.
“Cori,” Annette admonishes.
“A man stating he wants six kids is a bit presumptuous, but okay. Whatever.” She shakes her head in dismissal. “I mean, is it a uterus or a clown car?”
“Cori, that’s enough.” Leander does all he can to hide his smile, but fails.
“Or maybe it’s a slip and slide. By number six, the baby just lets himself out. Slips out with ease.” Cori shivers at the thought.
“Cori, I said enough with your nonsense.” Leander gives up on hiding his smile and lets out a full belly laugh.
“Leander, don’t encourage her,” Annette snaps her fingers at Cori as if that would get her to behave.
“I read somewhere that a woman’s womb can sometimes turn hostile and kill sperm. That’s probably Cori’s.” Devin, who thinks he’s clever, laughs and cringes at the same time. “She should come with a warning label.”
“I guess not everyone can be as perfect as you, Devin.” Cori saccharin voice betrays the anger in her eyes. “Look at you. Unemployed. Single father. Broke. Tell Mr. Hunt where Ruby’smother is.” She pretends to think. “Oh, yeah, she’s serving hard time. Fed time from what I heard.” Devin’s nostrils flare. “But yeah, my womb.”
“You’re such a—”
“Don’t finish that sentence,” I warn Devin, who is smart enough to keep his mouth shut.
“Both of you shut up.” Leander points at both of them.
“So, Daxton.” Annette clears her throat and does her best to regain control of the table. “I believe you asked Cori a question.”
Cori’s mom practically salivates at the thought of her daughter and me. Her husband definitely told her something about me. “So, I’ll pick you up Friday night, Cori.”
“I won’t be home, but sure. Whatever.”
“I’ll make sure she’s there.” Leander purses his lips and narrows his eyes at his daughter.
“Hold on.” Cori raises both hands. “You’re going to force me to go out with him?” She points at me. “I’m sorry, but what is happening here?”
“He’s a nice man who is interested in you,” Leander hisses under his breath. “Stop all this nonsense.”
“Nice man?” Cori makes a show of looking around. “Is the nice man in the restaurant with us?”
