Page 11 of Sin Wagon
“Why would you keep this a secret?” my dad asks.
“Claudia is too old to carry a child and adoption just doesn’t interest her. You have another son, Roy. No need to get all worked up,” Drew pats Claudia on the back as she sniffles and hiccups.
“Why have you ruled this totally out? Maybe things will change after you marry,” my mom pipes up.
“I’m firm on this. I have no interest in raising someone else’s child. There is enough on my plate without adding a child,” Claudia tells us.
“I’m in agreement with my fiancé. Children are not a deal breaker for me, so this decision is hers and hers alone,” Jonas tells us firmly. I’m annoyed right now, but I respect him for protecting her.
I release my mom from my tight embrace, annoyed with how they dropped this on my poor parents. Jonas knows how badly Mom wants to be a grandmother and he was like me always telling her he just needed to find the right woman. So I’m sure knowing he’s engaged to someone he had a thing for in the past gave Mom hope that her grandma dreams were coming true.
If they didn’t want to have kids that’s fine. I know not every man and woman want that for their lives, but to make a fucking production out of it? I’m pissed.
Jonas and Claudia could have simply come over alone and told her or hell Jonas could have told her over the phone or at one of our private dinners.
Storming from the room to go home, I stop in the dining room threshold and turn around. “You’re right, Jonas. It is her choice, but to drop it on Mom in front of everyone like this when you know how much she wanted grandbabies is cruel. It was a bastard thing to do.”
“Wells!” my mother cries.
I don’t wait to hear another word from anyone, especially the wailing from Claudia. The gifts are still left on the buffet unopened and I can only guess they were Claudia’s consolation prize for blowing up my mom’s dreams tonight.
At least my mom still has me. I’d like to have kids someday and I don’t think I’m too old to have them at thirty-eight. I do, however, need to find a woman to settle down with because the whole baby mama thing is not of interest to me. I didn’t have a dad for a good part of my childhood so I want to be involved with any child I father, and be there every step of the way.
Chapter 7
DELILAH
Today I’m headed to the doctor with Derek to see if Little Boba is a boy or girl. I’m not sure I want to find out, but Derek is insistent I have the option. I’m exhausted after pulling an all-nighter to finish a logo and product launch for a new publishing company. Toxic Undead Publishing is trying to be the new up and comer in the market, so I made all their logos and commercial designs.
I’m supposed to pitch it to them tomorrow and I’m nervous but I got this. If I can sell water which is no easy task. Not when you can turn on a hose or a tap and get it for free. Then I can nail this for a publishing company. I need this money too, so I’m confident in my idea.
Hidden Gems let me go last month when I started to show and I had to come clean about being pregnant. Lenny, the manager, said I can get my job back as soon as the baby is here though. I have to admit I was thankful for the option to go back because with all the expenses being a single parent brings, I’ll need another job.
I’m hoping to stop by a few places on my way home from the appointment and apply. Someone has to be open to hiring a pregnant bitch, right?
“Are you ready, babe?” Derek calls from the couch, where he’s waiting for me to finish up with my hair.
“Yeah. Let’s go.” I step out of the bathroom and grab my purse from the table next to the couch.
“Well, let’s go see what my godchild is then.” He pops up from the couch, beating me to the door so he can open it.
“Derek, you know I’m not sure about finding out today. They can write it down and you can hold on to it. Hell, you can even look at it if you promise not to tell me unless I ask.”
“Deal.” He smiles. “But I’m going to buy the little shit all the things that he or she needs and hide it away in my duplex.”
“You’re crazy.” I laugh.
“No. Just excited to be an uncle.”
We get into Derek’s car and I buckle my seatbelt as he pulls away from the curb into traffic.
“So you’re going to come with me to this sham of a wedding in a few months, right? Please don’t make me go alone.”
He leans back slightly, his gaze playful and teasing. “I don’t know if I can get off work,” he replies, his tone light and deliberately nonchalant.
“Derek! Please! I’m begging.” My eyes widen, and I reach out, grabbing his arm with a desperate grip. His smirk widens, clearly enjoying my reaction as he revels in the power play.
“God, you’re fucking sexy when you beg,” he growls.
