Page 2 of Taming You

Matt looks at me unimpressed.

“I’m sorry. I’m just not sure what I’m supposed to say or do right now.”

We both sit and stare at the beautiful baby boy sitting in front of us. He starts to fuss again, and I get up, grab some formula and a bottle out of his bag, and begin making it. Matt’s still in shock. He hasn’t moved one bit since handing me the letter, and I don’t blame him. Having a baby randomly dropped on your doorstep and being told they’re yours is huge.

I hold the finished bottle out for Matt. He stares at it, and I give it a little shake. “You should feed him. Use it to try and bond.”

He takes it from me before grabbing Jayden and getting settled on the couch. It takes a minute, but Jayden eventually accepts the bottle. Matt watches him with rapt attention.

“I know nothing about him,” Matt says, his voice soft as he stares at Jayden.

“Well, you’ll get to know him. You’re good with kids. You’ve got this.”

“I’m fun Uncle Matt, Zo.” He looks at me and shakes his head before looking back at Jayden. “I’m able to borrow my niece for a bit and then return her to her parents. I wasn’t planning on kids for a while. I’m single, for God’s sake. How am I supposed to do this on my own? I still have to work. How can I be sure he’s even mine? If he is, I’ve got to figure out child care, make sure he’s got all his vaccines. I need to learn if he has allergies, and I need to figure out where he’s going to be sleeping. On top of all that, I have to tell my family.”

When Jayden finishes, Matt burps him like a pro.

Stress and anxiety radiate off Matt. I know telling his family is probably the most difficult thing on his list. His family has always been the supportive type, but finding out Matt has a child no one knew about won’t be easy news to hear.

“Why don’t we tackle the first concern first. I’m sure there’s somewhere in town we can get a paternity test run,” I say.

He nods. I grab my phone and do a quick search, finding a place nearby, and text the information to Matt.

“I’ve just sent you a place in town that does them. I’ve got to head out, but I’ll see you later,” I say and move towards the front door.

Matt very deftly gets off the couch while still holding Jayden. “Whoa, Whoa, Whoa. Where are you going? You can’t leave me here with a baby. I have nothing to take care of him.”

I stop in my tracks and face him. “Matthew, you’re not useless. You take care of Cate no problem and have since she was born. You can take care of your son.”

The deer in headlights look he gives me and the soft spot I’ve slowly developed for Matt recently have my shoulders slumping. This better not bite me in the ass.

“Fine,” I sigh. “Let me go home, shower and change, and then I’ll come back so we can get you stuff to get him settled.”

He relaxes. “Thanks, Zo.”

I nod. “Of course.”

As I pull open the front door, Matt stops me. “Hey, Zo? I’d appreciate it if you don’t say anything to my sister or anyone before I get a chance to.” He worries his bottom lip between his teeth, much in the same way Olivia does when she’s worried. Liv’s my best friend, and I tell her everything, or I guess almost everything, since I haven’t told her how close Matt and I have grown over the last year and a half. Matt’s no longer just my best friend’s brother. He’s my friend, too. So, what’s one more secret?

“Not a word,” I say before closing the door behind me.

CHAPTER 2

Matt

Any sense of calm I had leaves me the second Zoey closes the door. I stare down at the little boy bundled in my arms and feel myself sweating, wanting to throw up and pass out all at the same time. Waking up with a baby was not in my plans for the year, let alone this morning. I’ve always known I wanted kids, but only after I had found the person I planned to spend the rest of my life with and settled down. I’m not prepared in any way for a baby right now. Let alone one an ex casual fling dropped off at my door with no warning.

I know I can manage financially. I make good money as a financial advisor, but that’s such a small part of being a parent. It’s everything else that freaks me out.

That thought leads me into a spiral. How does one just abandon a helpless baby on a doorstep? Anything could have happened. She didn’t even knock.

Jayden fusses some more, likely sensing my anxious energy. I bounce him as I pace my living room.

At least when I’ve had Cate, I’ve been able to plan for it, and I always know she’s going home to Liv and Josh after. Having a kid on my own is way out of my wheelhouse. But I know I’d never abandon him like he just was.

When I finally get Jayden settled, I put him in his car seat and cover him with his blanket. Settling in a chair beside him at the dining table, I open my laptop and begin my research.

I’m not sure how much time has passed when there’s a knock on the door. I nearly jump out of my seat. I was deep in research and every new thing I read put me more and more on edge. I quickly check on Jayden before moving to the front door and checking the peephole. I relax when I see Zoey on the other side.

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