AllFreeNovel
Share Us
“I’m terrified. But I’m gonna do my best to be a father to him.”
“It’s a boy,” Rosie said. “This could be a problem for you, Michael. Is it going to be too much stress? Will it make you relapse?”
“That’s what I have Haize Mullen for,” he said with a shrug.
“Your female sponsor,” Rosie replied with the click of her tongue. “Is the mother in the picture?”
“Yes.” Michael hesitated to tell her. He was certain she knew all about Marilyn from his file. “Marilyn Warner is his mother.”
“And she’s one of those people from your past.”
“She is.”
“I need you to make an appointment with your counselor for tomorrow. He can get you in. I need you to talk about this with him. Make sure you’re right mentally. Being told you’re a father just a few months after getting released from prison is a big deal. I don’t want it to derail you.”
Michael grabbed his copy from her desk and put it back in his pocket. “If anything, it’s gonna be my inspiration not to go back. Not to drink. Not to use. I finally have something in my life worth staying sober for.”
Rosie’s red lips parted in a smile. “That is probably one of the most profound things I have ever heard you say, Michael.” She typed a few things into her computer. “I can read people, and I can tell you mean it.”
“I do. I didn’t have a father. I want Jace to have one. I don’t want him going through what I did.”
“Keep up the good work, Michael. And be careful with having a female sponsor. That’s the only thing worrying me about your situation right now.”
Michael stood up and stopped at the threshold of the office. “No need to worry. My parole officer is a woman, and that’s turning out to be an okay situation. There’s nothing different about my sponsor being a woman, either.”
Rosie leaned back in her chair and folded her arms over her chest. “See you next time, Michael. And get in with your counselor tomorrow. I mean it.”
Michael nodded and made his way to the exit. There was something different about having a female parole officer over a female AA sponsor. He was attracted to Haize and couldn’t get her off his mind. He had to do something about it before it ruined all his progress.
Chapter Thirteen
Haize stared at Michael from across the table. He had called her to ask about some legal advice, and though she was no lawyer, she wanted to see what was going on for him to need help with an attorney. Her first fear was that he was in trouble with the law again and his parole would be revoked. Though she hadn’t made her feelings known about him, it’d break her heart if he got sent back. It wasn’t love… it was more lust, but she was starting to care for him – it went deeper than just being his AA sponsor. It was a feeling she had never experienced with anyone else she was trying to help.
She also would omit her good time with herself the night before – he never had to know she was imagining him, wishing for him, and pretending he had used her in all the dirty ways her imagination played out in her head. She felt her cheeks heat up at the thought and quickly tried to focus on the server who was waiting on her order.
“I’ll have the chicken Caesar salad with light dressing. And a Dr. Pepper Zero.” She handed the menu to the woman and halfway heard what Michael had ordered – a cheeseburger and something else, but she was focused on his hands, one balling up the straw wrapper between his index finger and thumb.
His strong and calloused hands – they were big, stained with oil and dry skin, and manly. How on earth was she finding even his hands attractive? What were they capable of? How would they feel on her body?
She felt a twinge of excitement between her legs and crossed them under the table. She was here to help him. He needed her advice. She had to stop thinking those thoughts. If they continued, as much as it would kill her, she’d have to end their relationship that was supposed to be professional. He was forbidden. There was no chance she’d ever get to act on her urges.
“Thanks for meeting me again. I bet you’re tired of me,” Michael said as he adjusted his baseball cap and looked around the restaurant.
“Not at all. I’m your sponsor. I’m here for you.”
“This doesn’t have anything to do with AA or drinking. I’m not on the verge of a relapse or anything.”
“That’s fine. I don’t mind being here. So, what’s going on?”
The server brought their drinks, and she took a long sip, her eyes searching his as he began to tell her what was going on in his life.
“I got confirmation. I’m a dad.”
Was this good news for him or not? Haize had to be careful. Had he recently gotten someone pregnant? Now wasn’t the time to get jealous, so she reminded herself to stay neutral. “Congratulations, Mikey!” Or was it commiserations?
“His name is Jace and he’s four. Living with his mother and her fiancé. She never told me about him while I was in prison and sprung it on me right after I got out. I got a blood test done to make sure, but I knew. He looks just like me.”
“I’m sorry you didn’t know about him until now.”
