Page 108 of Conception
I hope like hell she’s right.
Because if she’s not, I’m not sure I can handle the heartbreak of losing him a second time.
My conversation with Sunny took a bit of the edge off. She lost the attitude from the night at the bar. I wasn’t bitter about it. She was just trying to protect her best friend, and for that, I can be grateful. A little. Okay, not really, but since I can’t wring her neck, I decided to forget about it. The chagrin in her expression probably helped.
“Knox, I’m so sorry. I can’t help but feel like this is partly my fault. When you gave me your info, I stored it in the drawer at Mickey’s. I had no idea Mickey would get a bug up his ass and decide to go on a fall cleaning spree and get rid of it.”
I raised an eyebrow. “Mickey did that?”
“Yeah. It happens every couple of years. Usually he gives us plenty of notice. Not this time. Guess he figured it was just some random phone number and address. Not to toot my horn or anything, but when Joe’s not in the bar—or when his back’s turned—I get a number every now and then.”
“Not surprised at all, Sunny. Makes sense why Mickey would just toss it.”
“Anyways, I felt like an absolute twit. I shouldn’t have left it there in the first place.” She let out a deep breath. “I guess… I just thought you’d come back. A lot sooner than now.”
I toyed with the label on my beer bottle. “I should have.”
She offered me a warm smile. “Don’t worry about that. You’re here now.” Then she gave my forearm a squeeze. “I just want you to know I’m rooting for you guys. We all are. Even Sam.” She chuckled as I puffed up my chest. “Calm down, killer. He sees her like a little sister and vice versa. She didn’t even look at another man after you left. Now, you’re pretty great to look at, but there’s a baby in the house and these arms are way too empty.”
“If she starts to get tired—”
Sunny interrupted me with a boisterous laugh. “Don’t worry, papa bear. I won’t wear her out.”
With that, she flounced out of the room, the echo of her coos floating down the hall as she got her hands on my son.
My son.
Wonder how long it’ll take to get used to that.
I rest my hips back against the counter, taking a swig of a cold one, which is not nearly strong enough for my taste. But with my newborn son under the same roof, the last thing I’m going to do it tie one on. He needs me.Sheneeds me.
My chest heaves as I release a deep sigh. I listen for a few beats, the sounds of Sunny’s and Amelia’s low murmurs and soft giggles floating down the hall. With this being Amelia’s first night home, I decide to give them space. For now. Plus, I have something I have to do. Part of me is bursting. The other part? That part has no fucking clue what to expect. But it doesn’t matter. Time to rip the Band-Aid off.
I cross the kitchen to the phone on the wall. Before I can change my mind, I pick up the receiver and dial my parents’ home telephone number. It’s Saturday, and I’m hoping they’re home together so I only have to spill the news once. And only get an earful once.
Fat chance.
“Wellington residence. How many I help you?”
I blow out a breath for the brief reprieve. “Hey, Jaclyn. It’s Knox.”
Our housekeeper’s smile practically radiates through the phone. “Oh, Knox, it’s so good to hear from you!”
I can’t help the wry smile that crosses my lips. “I’ve only been gone for a couple of days.”
“Psh,” she replies.
She’s worked for my parents’ estate since before I was born. She’s more like an aunt than my parents’ employee, and the affection goes both ways.
“Are my parents in?”
“Of course. Your mother’s in the kitchen with Maria, preparing a salad and her famous German potato salad, enjoying a nice red. I believe your father and Clay are outside working the grill. Probably with bourbon.”
I grin at Jaclyn’s conspiratorial tone. It’s like she’s warning me that my parents are imbibing without even knowing why I might appreciate the alert.
“Thanks, Jaclyn. Can you put Mom on the phone and then go holler at Dad? I need to speak with them both.”
Silence fills the other side of the line.
