Page 23 of Sin Wagon
“I thought since you were freshening up you’d change out of that ridiculous outfit,” Claudia snarks.
“I think she looks divine.” I cut my eyes to Claudia. And, lord, does she. The woman who has starred in all my dreams and fantasies is in an olive green, form-fitting t-shirt-like dress with khaki knee-high suede boots. Her eyes are locked on mine, wide with shock that quickly morphs into anger as she takes me in. I can see the wheels in her head turning.
What does she have to be upset about? She’s the one who gave me a fake number and made me look like a fool to the stranger I’ve been texting.
But what if she gave me the wrong number by accident? That means she thinks I just fucked her in an alley and disappeared. And by the look on her face, she’s pissed the hell off about it.
Awkwardly, she takes her seat across from me and I smile. She glares at me before turning her attention back to Claudia. This must really be fate. Claudia’s friend just so happens to be my little doe. Fate’s a cruel bitch, though, since she’s here with a date and they’re obviously expecting.
“I don’t need you defending me. I’m more than capable of handling Claudia on my own.” She narrows her eyes at me, speaking through clenched teeth, before turning back to Claudia. “You’re lucky I’m here at all, Claudia. I’m starving and I love dinner with a show. So here I am.” She grabs a roll from the basket and bites into it.
“Delilah!” Drew hisses. So, her legal name is Delilah.
It suits her.
She is a precious flower. One I wish I could pick the petals off as she screams my name.
“Claudia, will you introduce us to your friend?” my father asks as he takes a sip of his champagne.
“Yes, Claudia, please introduce us,” Little Doe mocks, a brow raised at Claudia in challenge. I have no idea what is going on, but Little Doe obviously doesn’t care for Claudia, which makes me wonder why she came to support her wedding.
Claudia clears her throat. “Well, we have Jonas, my fiance, his mother Rhonda, father Roy, and his little brother Wells.” Little Doe’s eyes cut to mine in surprise and maybe a tad bit of panic when I’m introduced as Claudia’s soon to be brother-in-law.
Claudia glances around the table nervously before continuing. Gently she grabs Jonas’ hand and looks at him. “Jonas. Baby, you know I love you. You came back into my life and while I was a tad mad and surprised, I’m so glad you did. But if we are to live together forever in wedded bliss, I have a confession to make. I invited Delilah to be my maid of honor and I’m sure you’re wondering how I know her and why I didn’t mention her before?”
“She’s a cousin or something, I assume now, after seeing her. I thought maybe a friend, but she’s much younger than us, Sweetheart. So a distant cousin then?” Jonas asks.
I wish I could see his face because I notice Drew wince quickly before pulling himself together.
“She’s my daughter,” Claudia says softly.
“What!” I shout down the table at her. “Did you say, daughter?”
“Yup,” Little Doe smiles wickedly. “Mommy dearest didn’t want anyone to know since she had me out of wedlock, so shemoved to Vermont to raise me in private. A blemish on Claudia’s perfect appearance.”
“You said you didn’t want kids. And you already had a daughter? An adult daughter at that,” my mom asks, and I don’t miss the disdain in her voice.
“I’m way too old to have a child and no way am I risking having another one like Delilah. She was a handful to raise and look at her now. Pregnant with no husband or man in sight to raise her child. She and her friend here are playing house since the father ran out on her,” Claudia quips, one of her lips raised in disgust.
Now I’m really confused because I thought she and this Derek guy were together. He called her his girl and is staying in her room with her since he mentioned what she ate. And I know for a fact the asparagus and eggs benedict is a room service only item.
Are they not together? Is that not his child she’s carrying? She’s pretty big, so if Derek isn’t the father, then who is?
“How far along are you, Delilah?” I ask shakily, even though I have a feeling of what she’s about to say.
“Seven months. Thanks for asking, asshole,” she snaps before focusing back on Claudia and my brother. My stomach somersaults. If she’s seven months along, that puts her creating said baby in March, and—holy shit!
I could be wrong because she obviously could have slept with someone else, but there’s a good possibility that the baby is mine. Which also means if she doesn’t know she gave me the wrong number and thinks I just didn’t contact her, I’m a deadbeat asshole in her eyes. We definitely need to have a private conversation after this.
“Y-y-your daughter?” my brother finally finds his voice and drops Claudia’s hand, pushing away from the table. He stands up and begins to pace back and forth, not looking at her.
“Jonas. Baby. She’s an adult and she won’t bother us or impede our life. She barely speaks to me as it is. And she really hates you, so it’s going to be fine. Like she never even existed. I’m far too young and pretty to be a grandma, so we don’t have to worry about the kid,” Claudia rambles.
“Claudia!” Drew barks and she looks at her dad, who is giving her a look of pure hatred right now.
“Why would she hate me? I don’t even know her,” Jonas asks.
I look at Jonas and shrug my shoulders as we make eye contact. He looks back to Claudia, arms crossed, waiting for her answer.
