Page 34 of Finally, Our Forever

Reece

“You work everything out, Atwood?” Kingston shouts across the Den when I walk in the next morning. Owens looks away from his computer, and Spader stops reading the file on his desk to catch my answer. These guys are as bad as a bunch of women.

“So, did you ask her to marry you or not?” Owens asks.

I shake my head.

“What do you mean, no? You grabbed that black box when you were running out of here yesterday like it was the answer to your prayers,” Spader questions me.

“I didn’t ask. I told her we were getting married.”

They all start laughing and shaking their heads like I told a goddamn joke.

“What the hell is so funny?”

“And how did your woman take that?” Owens asks.

“Well, my ring is on her finger, so I’d say she took it fine.”

Owens and Spader roll their eyes and get back to work.

Kingston walks up to me, barely controlling his grin, and claps me on the shoulder. “I’m happy for you, man.”

I nod. “Thanks, Kings.”

“How’s little man doing today? What did Garret have to say?”

“Bennett’s alright. His fever finally broke by the time he woke up this morning, and he hasn’t thrown up since yesterday afternoon. Garret said it was most likely a touch of the flu, and he should be better in a couple of days. He’s staying home again today with his momma to get better.”

“You need to get home to them?”

I sigh. “Nope. As much as I want to be there, Maci is right. I have a job, and she’s got it under control.”

“Explain something to me—why were you so pissed yesterday?”

“Wouldn’t you want to know if your kid was sick?”

“He’s not your child, though, Atwood. He’s Maci’s.” I go to interrupt him, but he draws his palms up. “Shut up and listen to me for a minute. You’ve got to remember, she has been parenting alone for years now. She isn’t used to having to give up the responsibility for her son’s wellbeing to anyone, let alone someone she let back into her life recently.”

“I’m not just someone. I’m her fiancé. It might seem fast to a lot of people, but we grew up together. We have been a long time coming, and I’m not wasting any more time when we both know where this is headed. He might not have my blood running through him, but Bennett is going to be an Atwood. His sperm donor is a selfish asshole who’s not interested in being a father. I have no problem stepping in and claiming him as my own. In my eyes, he’s just as much mine as he is Maci’s.”

Hands held in front of his chest, Kingston makes a placating gesture. “Only trying to give you another perspective. Does Maci know how you feel about this?”

“I made it crystal clear yesterday. She wants this; she’s just scared I might change my mind.”

“Like that’s fucking happening. You’ve held onto the idea of you and Maci for years. Now that you finally have her, I don’t see you ever giving her up.”

“Exactly.”

“So, we’ve been watching the ex, and he’s one shady mother fucker.”

“Yeah, we knew that. Did you get something on him we could use when I go after him for custody of Bennett?”

His evil smirk makes me feel a bit better, knowing the reality of adopting Bennett has become somewhat more attainable. “I’ve had Owens tracking his movements. Seems ol’ David likes his girls young—”

“How young are we talking? Like, little kid young?” I ask disgustedly, picturing some slimeball putting hands on Bennett and immediately seeing red.

“Not exactly. The girls are legal, but barely. They’re still in high school. But get this— he’s trading sex for drugs,” Kingston says, interrupting my train of thought.

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