Page 39 of Rejected Broken Mate

We ended up wandering all around the area. We played a few games, sat down at a picnic table, and ate hotdogs. Michael told us about school and how he was the fastest kid.

There was a race later he was looking forward to being in just to prove how fast he was. And the more Michael talked, the more I felt that tug. I couldn't put my finger on it, and it was driving me crazy.

We watched Michael go back into the bouncy castle for another half hour before they started the race. Michael stood next to Poppy, who looked as cute as a button in a pair of shorts and a purple shirt with a unicorn on it. Ayden and Wendy stopped next to us, smiling at Poppy.

"She looks cute," Laura said, looking at Wendy.

Wendy chuckled, rubbing at her stomach.

"Thank you, Michael. It looks like he's having a good time."

Laura nodded. "I'm pretty sure today is the best day of his life right now."

There was a loud whistle, and then our eyes went to the kids. Everything went quiet before a large flag went down, and all the kids took off. In front were Poppy and Michael.

"Go, Michael!" Laura and I yelled in unison.

"Go Poppy!" Wendy yelled next to me.

I could hear Ayden laughing, and the kids grew closer to the finish line. I felt my heart pounding watching Poppy and Michael go head-to-head. They both crossed the finish line at the same time.

"Wow," Wendy said, chuckling. "I'm a little shocked."

Poppy and Michael both turned, waving at us and jumping up and down. Cayden and Weslie were the ones running the race, and they grabbed both the kids and hoisted them up. The kids screamed in joy, laughing.

The fundraiser ended soon after, and we all stood around the mess that was left. Laura scowled. "Maybe I should have ordered more trash cans. I didn't think about all the mess that would be left."

"It's fine," Ashley said. "We can all help clean."

Everyone spread out, which gave me a moment to speak with Laura. I had been waiting, but I had to ask now. I stopped next to Laura. "Laura, can I ask you something?"

She paused, looking at me. I looked over at Michael, who was sitting at one of the picnics with Poppy, staring at their metals. I felt the tug once more.

"Sure? What's your question?" she said, tilting her head.

"I know you don't like me asking personal things, but is Michael a shifter?"

Her face dropped, and she swallowed.

"Why do you ask?"

"Because…I feel something for him, and I'd like to know why. So…who is his dad?"

All day, I'd been wondering, unable to calm my mind. I needed an honest answer.

"Michael, go put your stuff in the car and get ready to head home."

Shit.

"Laura, don't run. I'm asking just because…. I'm not trying to get into your business. But...." I ran a hand through my hair. I just needed her to tell me so I could get the thought out of my mind. There was no way that he could be mine. He was too young, and any time Laura and I had unprotected sex, she took plan b. And she said he was someone she dated from work. But what other explanation was there? Why else was I feeling such a strong connection to him?

She turned, crossing her arms. "I'm not running. I'm having him get in the car because…" She paused and took a slow breath in. "He's yours."

I felt my heart stop beating, and my head snapped towards Michael. It suddenly clicked into place: the connection, the urge to be around him, the sense of knowing him. And then I remembered our last night and how we didn't use protection.

“You said he wasn’t six yet. You said his birthday was in May..”

She swallowed. “I lied, kinda. He’s birthday is in February.. He will be six then.”

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