Page 23 of Deception
“And she got you to babysit her kid?”
It’s his turn to laugh. “First, it got me out of shit duty at the clubhouse. Ky didn’t mind letting Cole take over my cleaning jobs when he heard I was watching his grandson.”
The newest Prospect isn’t Kent’s favorite guy in the world for reasons he can’t quite put his finger on. Other than coming across entitled, he’s never done anything outwardly offensive. But dating the President’s sister would make most outsiders feel entitled.
“And second, you know I’ve bonded with the kid. Hell, I helped bring him into the world. That’s some connection shit you can’t fight.”
The night Kent planned to take Gracie out for her seventeenth birthday was the night she gave birth to her son. Nolan’s first birthday was only weeks ago, and Kent made sure to be there. The little guy will forever have him wrapped around his little, pudgy fingers.
Nolan’s father isn’t in the picture. No one knows who he is except for Gracie, and she’s chosen to keep it a secret. Probably to save the poor guy’s life after she’s let a few unsavory details slip about the night she got knocked up. Kent’s not a violent man by nature—usually described as chill enough to be stoned—but he would beat this man bloody in an instant.
It really should have freaked him out to see Nolan born. Freshly twenty-years-old, he shouldn’t have been feeling what he did seeing the kid. Longing. Not for Gracie, exactly, and he still doesn’t fully understand it.
She’s a couple of years younger, but she’s been a fixture in Kent’s life since he can remember. They’re both children of the club, and that creates a tightknit community. And after Nolan was born, he kept coming around. Because of that, Gracie is easily Kent’s best friend. The one he spends the most time with.
“Real talk, Kent… Do you like my sister?” Gavin asks.
“We’re friends.”
“That’s not what I asked.”
Kent scoffs. “I know better than to move in on your sister, man. But I’m not going to lie and tell you that this whole situation of raising a baby alone doesn’t piss me off. Whoever Nolan’s father is, he deserves a beating for making her do this on her own.”
“I couldn’t agree more. If I ever find out who did this to her, I’m kicking his ass.”
“I’ll help. Hey, off-topic… What do you think of the new Prospect?”
“He’s alright, but he’s not really club material. I mean, let’s be honest; He only got the chance because he’s fucking Klaire. Comes across a bit high and mighty, you know?”
That’s putting it mildly.“He was talking to me like he was already getting patched in. We were born into this club, and he thinks he’s better than us. He even said blood doesn’t mean more in the club.”
“Yeah, I just hope he either changes, or they don’t patch him in. But… you changed the subject.”
“From what?”
“My sister.” He opens his mouth to protest, but Gavin adds, “If you like her and want to pursue something, that’s cool with me.”
“Dude—”
“She needs someone in her corner. Like I have with Hailey. I’ve kind of got my hands full, and I know Mom and Dad want her to get used to being on her own with a kid, but it’s fuckinghard, man. Plus, of all the guys who could hook up with my sister, you’re not the worst.”
Me and Gracie?“Uh, thanks?”
A scream fills the earpiece, and Gavin groans. “Shit, Nancy’s awake. Hailey’s at the hospital with Luke and Noah. Gotta go.”
Setting the phone down, Kent looks down at Nolan sitting on his lap. “Your uncle is crazy, you know that?”
Nolan smiles up at him and says, “Da-da.”
“No, buddy, I’m not your daddy. Although, I’m more your father than your actual one. I swear, if I ever find that guy who hasn’t even met you, I’ll beat him within an inch of his life. Who wouldn’t want to know you?”
As he sits and looks at the little boy who stares, completely captivated, at Kent, he can’t help but notice the similarities he shares with his mother. A round face, dark hair, and green eyes.
“You don’t think I have a crush on your mom, do you?”
He giggles and reaches up to touch Kent’s cheek. The bright stare of Nolan’s eyes makes Kent stop and gaze with an affection he’s never felt before.
“Holy shit, I have a crush on your mom. No… Yes? Fuck.”
