Page 62 of The Art of Deception

Shrugging, I shove him toward the door. “Shut up. So it was a nice gift, and you put thought behind it. You want a medal or something?” I tease, continuing to push him through the door.

He chuckles, his smile lighting his entire face, but he turns to face me, a little more serious now. “I don’t need a medal, Tomi. I already won the damn lottery when I met you.” His hand slides out, gently caressing my stomach.

My breathing hitches as our eyes connect, and my tummy instantly floods with a hurricane of butterflies. I just can’t tell if it’s from the way Xander is looking at me or from the way our baby is reacting to its father’s touch.

Either way, I am feeling all kinds of giddy right now.

Shaking my head to try and find some equilibrium, I start pushing on his chest. “Nu-uh, sir. We gotta go. Don’t start looking at me like that, with those sexy eyes. That’s how we gotpregnant in the first place.” He bursts out laughing as I spin his shoulders and shove him fully out the door this time. “We have to go get my brother. No detours. Do you understand me?” I close the door behind me as he reaches for my hand.

“I hear you loud and clear… but just so you know, I love this bossy side of you. We should explore this more…” He winks at me. “When Levi is not around.”

I groan in frustration.

The sexual kind.

The only thing is the fucker knows it, too, as he takes off down the hall ahead of me. “C’mon, I thought we were leaving?” he calls out like the smartass he is.

“Fucker!” I mumble under my breath, then chuckle and take off after him.

Not long later, we pull up in the school drop-off and pick-up zone in the red Chevy, right where all the kids will see us. I’m so happy we’re able to do this for Levi. He’s still having issues with those stupid kids thinking that Xander coming here in the car was a one-time thing. Hopefully, this will get them off Levi’s back for a little while and help him behave a little better.

The school bell rings, and I sit up higher, feeling excited about Levi coming out to us with his school caregiver. Eventually, the doors open, and kids rush out in all directions. A group of them take in the car and stare at it, some of them from the mainstream school taking pictures with their cells as I sit here with Xander’s arm around me in the front seat.

I glance around, searching for Levi, and then I spot him casually and slowly walking down the stairs with his caregiver, searching for Greta. I messaged and told her what was going on. She said she was overjoyed at the situation and was only too happy to take the night off so the three of us could be together. But if I needed her, she was only a phone call away.

Xander honks the car horn, making Levi glance up. His eyeswiden as he takes in his favorite car. His body straightens like he’s in awe as he starts rushing toward us. I grin so wide, seeing the pure elation on his face.

“Friend?” he yells so loudly everyone turns to stare at him.

“Yeah, buddy, it’s me,” Xander calls back as I hop out from my seat, give the caregiver a wave, and slide into the back of the car so Levi can sit in the front with Xander.

Levi reaches the car, almost out of breath with his excitement. “You went away. You were gone,” Levi states.

Xander frowns as I hold Levi’s hand. Levi focuses on Xander. “I know, buddy, and I’m so sorry. But I am back now, and I’m not going anywhere. I am going to be around with you guys a hell of a lot more if you’re okay with that?”

Levi purses his lips like he’s thinking but says nothing as he hops into the front seat of the car. He turns to face Xander as an awkward tension builds. I’m scared he’s not going to want Xander around anymore.

Levi exhales. “You’re my friend. You can stay.”

I sigh with relief as Xander squeezes Levi’s shoulder. “Thanks, man, I’m glad you feel that way.”

Levi shrugs. “You can make up for it,” he teases.

“Levi,” I berate.

Xander shakes his head. “No, it’s fine. What can I do to make it up to you?”

Levi sits taller. “Stay guard on the shadows tonight.”

My chest squeezes. He wants protection. I wish I could give him that comfort, but I can’t. I don’t have the genetics where he feels safe and secure.

Xander glances back at me, and I nod. “Done. We have more to discuss with you when we get home. You okay with having a family dinner?” Xander asks.

Elation floods through me that he’s talking about family dinners already. He will make this thing work.

Levi shrugs. “As long as there’s ice cream. No donuts. They were gross.”

I let out an amused huff. “I’m never going to live those donuts down, am I?”

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