Page 5 of Taming You

I laugh. “After nearly two decades, I probably know you as much as your siblings.”

He laughs, too. “Again, you’re right. You’re an honorary Carter.”

Those words make my stomach turn. Growing up, I always wanted to be a Carter. My parents were never around. It wasn’t until I was older that I realized they spent most of their time either drunk in bars or looking for their next high. I was lucky as a kid, because my older brothers shielded me from so much of that.

I have five brothers, to be exact, and Henry, the oldest, took on the responsibility of taking care of the five of us younger siblings. He’s twelve years older than me. He’s now married to a wonderful woman named Maggie, and they’ve both agreed they never want kids; they want to travel and enjoy life. I can’t blame them, especially after Henry raised five kids that weren’t his and never got to enjoy his childhood.

After Henry moved out, the responsibility of taking care of the rest of us fell to Ezra, but that was only for a year or two until he moved out, too, and it fell to Kai for four years and then Riley. Even after they moved out, my brothers always made sure they’d come by and check on the rest of us. As I got older, I saw how the responsibility weighed on them. They don’t talk about it much, but I know Henry, Ezra, and even Kai saw the worst of our parents.

“Zo?”

I shake my head as Matt pulls me from my thoughts. “Huh?”

“I asked if you’d be here for dinner when I tell my family.”

“Matt—” I start, but he takes hold of my hand.

“Please, Zo. It would mean a lot to me if you were here. Plus, you and I are the only people Jayden knows so far, it might help him to have somewhat familiar people around.”

His eyes are pleading, and for some reason, even though I know it’s probably not the best decision for me, I find myself unable to say no. I nod. “Yeah, I’ll be here.”

He squeezes my hand. “Thanks, Zo, you’re a life saver.”

I slowly pull my hand free from his and leave the table. I need some distance from Matt. This pull I feel towards him is becoming too much. I’m agreeing to things that aren’t my business, because I hate seeing how all of this is weighing on him. I’m not family. I shouldn’t be at this family dinner when he tells his parents and siblings he now has a son. Being an honorary Carter doesn’t actually make me a Carter.

I make my way to the corner where we set up Jayden’s things last night. I pull out the box with the tummy time mat and the toys to put over it and begin setting it up. Matt joins me and tries to take over, but I tell him to feed Jayden while I finish.

When I’m done, I grab Jayden from Matt and lie on the floor with him. I put him on his back at first and show him all the toys above him, and he smiles and giggles as I shake the moon-shaped toy. His laugh is so light and full of joy it has me smiling back at him.

From the corner of my eye, I notice Matt lie on the floor on the other side of Jayden. Matt smiles at me as he grabs the sun toy and does the same thing. Jayden’s attention moves to it, and I let go of the moon as Matt and I smile at the adorable little boy. After a few minutes, I help Jayden roll onto his tummy and run my hand over the edge of the blanket with a textured section that crinkles when you put pressure on it. Jayden focuses intently on it, a smile playing on his lips, as I continue to make it make noise. After a few minutes, I help Jayden roll onto his back and play with the hanging toys again.

We continue playing with Jayden for a bit before I can tell he’s getting tired again and is ready for his nap. Picking him up, I settle him against me before heading in the direction of Matt’s room, where the crib is. I quickly swaddle him before setting him in the crib and quietly backing out.

When I get back into the living room, Matt is sitting on the couch, running his fingers through his hair, leaving his curls a mess as a sigh leaves him. I grab my purse and stop in front of him.

“So, I’m just going to head out,” I say, and Matt’s head shoots up.

“What?”

I nod towards the door. “I’m going to head home,” I say again and begin to leave.

His hand shoots out and wraps around my wrist. “Please stay.” The look in his eyes is earnest, like he’s not sure he can be by himself. “Watch a movie or something with me. Whatever you want, Zo. I just really need the company right now.” He gives my wrist a quick squeeze, as if pleading more.

I nod and drop my purse on the table before settling beside him. I feel the anxiety slowly leave him as his shoulders deflate and he hands me the remote. I silently take it, pulling up Netflix and putting on the first comfort movie I know we’ll both enjoy.

We’re almost halfway into the movie when we both jump as his phone begins ringing loudly on the coffee table. He scrambles for it, flashing the screen to me where it says Granville Labs, and answers.

“Hello.” His voice comes out hoarse, and he clears his throat.

The volume on his phone is loud enough I can tell it’s a woman speaking, but I can’t pick up what she’s saying. I move to the edge of my seat, waiting and ready for him to hang up and tell me the results of the test.

He nods before saying, “Thank you,” and hanging up.

He looks at me and swallows before his barely there words hit my ears. “He’s mine.”

I’m not shocked the way I thought I would be. If you look closely enough between Matt and Jayden, you can see Jayden has a lot of the same features. The shape of his nose, the colour of his eyes, even the little wisps of hair he has, which you can tell will grow out similar to Matt’s curls.

I curl a leg up on the couch, allowing me to face him more fully. “How do you feel about that?” I ask.

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