Page 86 of Love is a Drum Beat
“For what?”
“Just… being a friend.” Dax’s life hadn’t lacked for money or talent. But friendship? That was rare.
Ben followed him out and hopped into his car while Dax shut the door. Dax slid behind his steering wheel. As he pulled away from his house, he didn’t feel like the socially awkward musical savant, the one who never had the right words for Jo. Over the last month, he’d shown her what he’d felt through actions, taking care of her.
But actions meant little without the truth only words could bring.
Valet was closed for the night, so Dax parked in a nearby garage and walked toward the entrance. Only a few reporters remained. They perked up when they saw him near.
“Dax! Dax!” they called for him, blocking the entrance so he couldn’t pass. “Give us a statement. Why now, Dax? You’ve kept your secret for so long, why reveal it now?”
The question made him stop and turn to the reporter. He’d always thought revealing himself would be a complicated matter, but when he pondered the question, it wasn’t complicated at all. “Because she needed me.”
“Who? Jo Jackson? Are you truly part of her harem? What do you have to say about that?”
His steps faltered, but he didn’t look back at them. “Jo has four men who love her very much. We’re a team with an unbreakable bond. Twist that any way you like.” He walked inside, away from the words that didn’t mean anything. Their accusations were ridiculous, but that didn’t give them meaning.
He’d once worried what the tabloids would say about him if he became known to them. But now, as they asked invasive questions and would no doubt keep writing about this harem, he let it roll off him.
A younger woman sat behind the desk this time. She smiled and held out a visitor’s pass. “It’s after hours,” she whispered. “But you go right on up.”
Dax smiled in thanks, adjusted his glasses and hoofed it to the elevators.
Once he reached Jo’s door, he hesitated. If she was asleep, he didn’t want to wake her. A nurse walked up, knocked, and opened the door to reveal a sleeping Jo. Dax followed her in and hovered near the end of the bed.
The nurse sent him a smile. “Mom and baby are ready to go home in the morning.” She gave no hint if she knew who he was or not. “I’m guessing she’ll have plenty of help?”
Dax groaned. “We aren’t a harem.”
She laughed. “I know that. There have been many men here to visit her, and she appreciates it, but there is only one she searches for.”
Dax pulled on the back of his neck. Jo wanted him there, and he’d thought his project was more important. How could he have thought that? Nothing was as important as Jo and this baby.
“I need to check the baby’s vitals,” the nurse said. “Since Jo is sleeping, would you like to hold her?”
“Me?” Dax fell back a step. He’d never held a baby or been around tiny kids.
“Yes, you.” She lifted the baby. “Stand here.”
Dax did as she asked, and the nurse slid the baby into his arms. Dax couldn’t take his eyes off the little nose, the long eyelashes that fluttered as she opened her eyes. “Hello, baby.”
He barely noticed the nurse examining the baby. All he could focus on was the tiny life in his arms. He’d thought his world changed before, that coming out as Dax Nelson did it.
But not even that was powerful enough to change him. Yet, this little girl made him want things he’d never wanted before.
The nurse pointed to a chair. “That reclines if you’d like to keep holding your daughter. Just put Ali in the bassinette when you need a break.”
Ali. His… He looked back down at her, unable to fathom her real father missing out on this. Signing the NDA was one of the most important things Jo could do for Ali. She knew more than most what it was to know your parent didn’t want you.
He sat in the recliner.
“You’re a natural.” The nurse smiled. “Do you have other kids?”
He shook his head. “I don’t have kids.”
Her smile fell. “Aren’t you Dax Nelson?”
The entire world knew that now. “I am.”
