Page 52 of Creed

It was his turn to follow me. “Why am I unbelievable?”

“You were looking to buy a dirt bike for a child when you didn’t even know of she still wore diapers?”

“Okay fine, that’s a good point, but I think you should let me buy the fun stuff and you can get the boring stuff like a crib and a rocking chair or whatever.” He suggested.

“Crib and rocking chair?” I asked as I pulled two plates down from the cupboard.

“Yeah, I mean how else do moms put them to sleep and where do you put them to sleep?” He asked.

I paused and looked up at him. “Typically, parents tuck them into their own regular bed at night and read to them. They may even tell them stories or whatever. I guess it depends on Addie and what she needs. She’s six, Creed. She’s not in diapers and she’s not a baby. The girl even goes to a public school.”

“Okay fine. You can shop for the boring things and then help me shop for age appropriate fun stuff. Either that or I ask Granger for help.”

I began putting the salad on our plates. “I have an idea. Why not let Addie help you find the fun stuff?”

He snapped his fingers, and I looked up at him. “That’s an even better idea.” He then looked down at the plates of salad. “What the hell is this shit?”

“It’s a salad with salmon.” I answered.

He shut his eyes and shook his head. “I will contact Stephanie.” He opened his eyes and looked at the plate again. “She can train you in mom cooking. Like…where’s the roastbeef and mashed potatoes? Shouldn’t there be a dark gravy and where’s the roasted carrots? I think maybe I should have Stephanie organize a mom boot camp for newbies. I don’t think moms cook this way.”

I laughed. “I know how to cook those things, but my stomach can’t handle anything heavy tonight. It’s still a bit upset.” I tilted my head. “What happened to you between the time we unloaded the groceries where you were General Hardass and now you’re suddenly fun Uncle Creed?”

He shrugged. “I had a moment of downtime and remembered what it was like when they took her from me. I’m so damn worried about her. They took her and gave her to strangers when she could have went home with someone who cares about her. I can’t imagine how scared she is right now, and I don’t like how they won’t let you see her yet.”

My eyes caught his and my heart skipped a beat. I didn’t know what to say. He was always such an asshole, then he turned out to be kind, but definitely not sensitive and I was seeing him in a new light. Creed was the most confusing man in history, but it added to his hotness.

“Alistair?” I changed the subject, and he rolled his eyes before he took his plate and walked toward the kitchen table. I giggled. “You said your first name to the funeral director, and it bothered me all day because someone else mentioned that name. So, how are you related to Jake?”

I set my plate down and took a seat. “I doubt there are very many Alistair’s in this area and you’re super sensitive about Hollywood. My best guess is you’re the missing son of Nicole Powers.”

Shame

Creed

Shit! She must have done exactly what I hoped she wouldn’t do. She Googled me.

“You read lies on Google. There’s two sides to every story.” I was far from amused.

“No, I didn’t look you up. You’re preaching to the choir about misleading headlines and totally fabricated life stories. It’s not what I’d want people to do to learn more about me, so I don’t do it to others. It was actually Jake that gave me the hint.”

I sat back and crossed my arms. “What did he tell you? That I was the unwanted son of a billionaire that was left by his mother because she was totally mistreated by her first husband, or did he tell you the truth?”

She also sat back and crossed her arms. “He told me Nicole was pitching a fit about Kenny buying the farm. Starting drama and she had a habit of dangling the idea of meeting his grandson, Alis, to her father to manipulate him. I laughed about a guy named Alis and he corrected me and gave me the proper spelling and the name Alistair. Then you said your nameand it all added up. Why didn’t you tell me? You had several opportunities.”

I sat forward. “Would you want people to know that Nicole Powers was your mom?”

She shook her head no. “Good point.”

“Would you want her popping up on your doorstep twenty five years after she left you? She’s the last person that should ever know my location. I haven’t seen her since I was very little, she left us, and never looked back. She never wanted me to have a relationship with her family, so I kept my distance. My dad was the only family I ever needed.”

“What about Kenny? He never reached out to you?” She asked.

“He came to my father’s funeral. End of story. The last thing I need is Nicole Powers learning where to find me. She’s always looking for drama and a paycheck. She doesn’t care about me, and I don’t care about her. She was never a mother, and she will never be a part of my life. I’m serious, Morgan. I do not want her anywhere near what I’ve built. Remember the non-disclosure and don’t even tell that friend of yours.” My mood quickly went south.

“That friend of mine is a very caring, kind, and amazing guy that just happens to be your flesh and blood. You would like him, Creed, and he will be a part of Addie’s life. He wouldn’t betray us and would love to finally meet you. He told me a long time ago that Nicole abandoned a son, and he wished he was able to someday meet you. And just in case you have any doubts, I will repeat myself for the twenty millionth time. I have never and would never share anything more than friendship with Jake. Not just because he is like a brother to me, but he doesn’t dorelationships, and I don’t do casual. It would never work with us even if there was some sort of attraction between us.”

Why did she think I cared who she fucked? “I don’t need to know about your sex life, Morgan.” I was about to stand and leave the room, but then she spoke again.

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