Page 19 of Rejected Broken Mate

"Does Michael know who it is?"

I shook my head. "No….I never told him. I haven't told him anything."

Ayden tilted his head. "Why are you thinking about that now?"

I looked away, rubbing my thumb along the wood of my desk. "Because I feel like I'm drowning. I've kept things together for so long…every life decision has always been us and what was best for him. And now, with this shifter thing… I'm out in the deep end sinking. I've been wondering if I made the right decision."

"Was the man not ready to be a father?"

I thought of who Miles was. Of course, he was a great guy, but was he ready to be a father? No. Had I been ready to be a mother? Also no.

"We were young and dumb," I stated.

"Do you want the dad to be part of the picture now?"

Did I? Clearly, Miles would know more about this. There were many things I wished I could do for Michael that I just couldn't. I couldn't relate to things being a mom. I couldn't relate to shifters, and now, that was a huge part of his life.

"Maybe," I admit.

"Whatever you decide, life isn't easy. No one knows if they are making the right decisions, Laura. We're all just hoping we are."

Ayden pulled himself out of his chair. "When you're done with it, just drop the report off on my desk."

Ayden slipped out, and I sighed. I looked at my phone, seeing it was a little past four. I pinched my eyes and groaned. I was too tired to finish.

"You look tired."

I jumped at the voice, seeing Miles leaning on my door frame. He had his arms crossed, which made his biceps bulge in his shoulder.

I swallowed, looking away. "I am. I didn't sleep well last night."

"Do you want a ride home?" he asked, "I'm heading out now. I've been here since five."

I thought about it. I should have been here for another hour or so, but I was too tired. I wasn't getting anythingaccomplished anyway, and it would be better if I called it a day and came back tomorrow.

"Yeah, if you don't mind."

He smiled. "Of course not. It's on my way home anyway."

As we drove, I closed my eyes. I hoped that Michael and I could get some much-needed sleep tonight. He seemed to be feeling better today, so maybe we could catch a break tonight.

"We're here."

When I opened my eyes, I realized Miles was parking in front of the house. I could see Michael's backpack sitting on the steps. He liked to drop it and run over to the neighbors' house to hang with their son.

"Thanks."

"Where’s your son?" he asked, and I could see his eyes searching. My stomach dipped.

"At the neighbors. They have a son he hangs out with after school until I get home."

"Can I meet him?"

My entire body tensed up. I took a slow breath in and looked at him. The questions were simple. Michael had met a couple of the guys already, so I'm sure he just wanted to meet him like everyone else.

But my stomach twisted up. I thought about what they all said about shifters. You feel that pull...you just know. Ashley knew Poppy was her daughter the second she laid eyes on her. I had lied about his age, but Miles would feel something, would he? I couldn't have that right now.

"No, and it's highly inappropriate to ask that. We don't know each other well enough for me just to show you my kid."

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