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Jeff hung up the phone with his lawyer and dropped onto the sofa. The DNA results were back, and Max was definitely his son. Not that he’d ever really had any doubt, but somehow, hearing his lawyer say it out loud, it landed a little different.
He ran his hand across his face. How was this supposed to work? He didn’t know the first thing about raising a kid. Sure, he’d had a great role model with his dad, but they were totally different men. His dad had a 9-5 Monday to Friday job. There was nothing traditional about playing ball. He was gone for huge chunks of time during the season. He’d barely be around. How would a little kid understand that? His heart pounded in his chest, and he rubbed against the knot that was forming in the middle of his sternum. How was he supposed to navigate this? How did he want to navigate this?
He pictured Max. The kid was hilarious. Every week, the little guy came up with the craziest stories and was always making everyone laugh. He smiled to himself. He’d been the same kind of clown when he was little. Did he get that from him?
Jesus. Max was his son. He was a dad. Well, not yet he wasn’t. At the moment, he was a sperm donor, but make no mistake, he was going to be a father to his son. To do anything less would be disrespectful, not only to Max, but to his own parents as well. Nothing was more important than family.
His lawyer had rambled off a bunch of shit about custody agreements and child support that he probably should have listened to. But his mind was still processing the reality of the fact that he had a kid.
A kid he barely knew.
He grabbed his phone and pulled up Kia’s phone number. He dialed, then waited while the number rang. Her voicemail kicked on.
Hi you’ve reached Kia. The best way to reach me is to send me a text, but if you don’t want to do that leave me a message and I’ll call you back when I can.
He hung up the phone without leaving a message. He pulled up the messaging app to send her a text.
Jeff:Hey Kia, it’s Jeff. Your voicemail says to send a text so…
Jeff:I just spoke to my lawyer. He got the DNA results back and no surprise, I’m Max’s dad. I was hoping we could set up a time for me to meet him.
Jeff:Well I know we’ve already met but you know what I mean.
He eyed the text messages and winced. Yeah, real cool Smitty. He was off to a great start on the first impressions that he’d be a responsible adult who could look after her kid. His kid. Fuck, their kid. He dragged his hand across his face again. Then grabbed his phone and fired off one last text.
Jeff:Let me know your schedule. Mine’s flexible so I’ll make anything work. Text me back.
He looked at the message again. When would she reply? This was painful. There was no way he could just sit around and wait for her to text him back.
He pulled up the group text with his friends.
Jeff:I need to workout, who’s up for a run or the gym or anything?
Instantly, his phone buzzed with a reply. His heart pounded. Was it Kia? He sighed when he saw it wasn’t her.
Ryan:I could run
Gonzo:Screw that I’m not running. You bastards always want to do hills
Ryan:Don’t be a pussy. We can get lunch at the top of the hill
Pete:And beer?
Gonzo:I could run for beer
Jeff grinned as he watched his friends’ text back and forth as they figured out plans. This was exactly what he needed to take his mind off Max.
Jeff:Usual spot in 30?
Ryan:Done
Gonzo:Yep
Pete:??
Jeff wandered into his bedroom and changed into his gym clothes. The phone pinged on the mattress where he’’ dropped it. It was probably just the guys but still his heart jumped.
Kia:How’’ Sunday afternoon?
