AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’m four and graduating soon.”
“Graduating? Wow, that’s great.” So he was four already, notalmostfour like Ella had told me? To have my suspicions confirmed made my guts twist into a tight knot and anger pump in my veins.
“Mhm. Miss Mallory said I’m her best student and will do great in kindergarten.” The pride and excitement on his face hit a spot in my heart that I hadn’t known existed, a place beside his mother’s.
“Oh yeah?” I smiled back at him. An explosion of love permeated my soul. Was he my son? Every cell in my body said yes. I wasn’t an idiot though. Ella could have cheated on me, and I just didn’t want to believe it. My eyes, mind, and heart could be fucking with me. I couldn’t comprehend Ella ever having a child with someone other than me. Fuck, I would hate her if he wasn’t mine. “That’s awesome. Kindergarten is the big leagues.”
“Yeah. I might get homework there.” He twisted his lips and looked down at his picture.
“I’m sure your mom will help if you need it.” I glanced around, looking for Ella. She must’ve been in the back. “She’s a good mom, isn’t she?”
“Mhm, the best mom in the world. But she doesn’t let me have a lot of junk food and sweets. She says it’s not good for me and wants me to be healthy.”
“Sounds like she loves you a lot.” The ache in my chest grew more painful. “When’s your birthday?”
“July fifth. It’s my golden birthday. Will you come to my party? It’s going to be huge!” He spread his arms out to his sides, and his face lit up like Fourth of July fireworks.
“I’ll be there, buddy. You can count on it.”He’s old enough to be mine. Why the fuck would Ella lie to me? Unless she had cheated on me before I left. No, I’d known where she was and who she was with every minute of every day.
Wait. She’d been gone for a few days for Thanksgiving. Had she met someone at the lodge? Had she fucked him and got pregnant?I’ll kill them both.
“Cool. Mommy calls me buddy too.” He considered me for a long second. “Are your eyes gray?”
“Yes.” I moved my face closer to his so he could get a good look.
“Mommy says gray eyes are rare.” He didn’t appear happy about us having the same color. “I thought I was the only one who had them.”
“She’s right. It’s usually a family trait, passed down from father to son.” Of course, I didn’t know if my sperm donor or any of his offspring had gray eyes, but they probably did.
My phone pinged with a notification. I looked back at my crew when I saw the name. What did Xabier want that was important enough to interrupt my conversation with the boy? I opened the message, and the air left my lungs.
Xabier: The kid is yours. My uncle just called with the results.
Well, shit. That’s a fucking good reason to message me.
My jaw twitched as I lifted my gaze tomy son. Many emotions hammered my heart: regret, sadness, joy, fear,rage. Fucking rage at Ella for lying to me. How could she be so heartless, especially after me spending the last several nights with her? She should’ve told me the truth instead of me hearing it from someone else.
The boy gazed at me curiously. And just like that, I loved him and would do anything to protect him. I’d missed so much with him, nearly five years of his life. I was about to ask what his name was when…
“What are you doing here?” Ella appeared with an annoyed expression. “Vegas will be back soon. You can’t be with him.” She flicked her green eyes atmy son.
“We’re just talking and getting to know each other.”
“Rocky …” She shook her head and worried her bottom lip between her teeth. What was she afraid of most? Vegas seeing me with the boy or me finding out he was mine?
“I’ll see you later, buddy.” I rose from my chair and put my hand on his back.
“Okay, see ya, Rocky.”
I didn’t like him calling me by my name. “Outside,” I told Ella.
“Why?”
I stopped hard and shot her a look that saidyou better do as I say.I held her gaze for a long beat to show her I meant business. If she fought me, I would throw her over my shoulder and carry her out kicking and screaming.
“Fine. Let me tell Mona to watch him.” She kissed the boy’s head and went to the bar.
On my way out, I stopped at my crew’s table. “Do not let him out of your sight.”
