Page 71 of Ruin

Or maybe that’s just me being an overprotective parent.

Zeus has been spending more time with just Gigi. Taking her out and doing things together. I think it’s important because, if it’s always the three of us doing stuff together, then Gigi could get the wrong impression. It showed that was already happening when we sat her down to talk to her, and she thought I was going to tell her that Zeus and I were getting married.

It makes it easier that Zeus has a place here now, as he can take her there as well, so we’re not here all the time.

Although, today, we’re all here together.

But there’s a good reason for that.

Zeus’s family is coming to meet Gigi. Well, Ares, Lo, and Missy are. He told me that he wouldn’t let her meet his dad until he sobered up. And, from what he last told me about Brett’s failed attempts at rehab, I don’t think Gigi will be meeting him anytime soon, but I wholeheartedly agree with Zeus’s decision.

I don’t want an addict brought into Gigi’s life. Even though I don’t remember my mother, I know how she was. Addicts care about only one thing—their addiction—and nothing else.

So, the Kincaid clan is coming here today to meet Gigi. Apparently, they’ve been hassling Zeus to come and meet Gigi after he told them about her. He held them off for as long as he could, but he finally caved under pressure.

Gigi was really excited to find out that she had two uncles and an auntie. After having just me and Aunt Elle for so long, it must be amazing for her to have all these new people in her life.

Missy and Lo are home from college for the weekend to meet Gigi. They’re staying with Ares in New York because his place is bigger than Zeus’s.

Zeus is renting a two-bedroom apartment on Main Street that overlooks the water.

It’s nice but basic. But that’s Zeus. He’s never been one to go for the flash.

The only reason he’s ever fought is to earn money to care for his siblings.

How did I ever think that he could’ve walked away from Gigi?

But then again, I wasn’t exactly in the best place at the time. I believed that he’d slept with another woman, and I was dealing with finding out he wasn’t the man I’d thought he was. So, it was easy to be tricked into believing that he wanted nothing to do with his unborn child.

“All ready?” Aunt Elle wanders into the kitchen where I’m just finishing up prepping the food for the Kincaids.

I thought it would be nice to make it like a little party for Gigi. Meet-the-other-half-of-your-family-for-the-first-time kind of thing. So, I’ve made sandwiches and finger foods along with some cupcakes. I just want it to be nice for everyone.

“Yeah, all ready.” I smile a little too brightly for it to be real.

“It’s gonna be all right, Cam.”

“You’ve been saying that a lot recently.”

“Yeah, and I’ve been right every time.”

I’m feeling really nervous about seeing them after all this time. I’m worried that they blame me for Zeus not knowing about Gigi.

Aunt Elle is staying for moral support—or, in her words, she’s here in case anyone upsets me, so she can kick their ass.

Zeus assures me that they don’t blame me, just like he doesn’t.

I didn’t openly volunteer my concerns to him. He just knew.

And that’s because he knows me. He knows my tells when I’m worried or nervous.

And, last night, after putting Gigi to bed—he’s been staying to tuck her in and read her a story, and then he leaves and goes back to his apartment—I was in the kitchen, making the cupcakes for today, feeling stressed, and he came in and asked me what was worrying me.

I said, “Nothing.”

He said, “Bullshit.”

Then, he told me what I was worrying about and then set about reassuring me.