Page 3 of Wreckage of Us
“Yeah, that,” I bust out laughing. “And speaking of Ma’s boyfriend…”
The back door sliding open interrupts what I was just about to say. I look back and see Ma stepping out with the baby in her arms, looking as happy as can be. She is followed by the boyfriend himself, and then Puck makes an appearance.
“Dude,” he comes straight for me. “I gotta tell you something.”
“What is it?”
He looks around, all worried. “Not here. It’s important. And there are two major things I gotta tell you. Two,” he repeats, almost bouncing on the tip of his toes as he talks.
“Boys,” Ma approaches us. “I am so happy to see all my boys together in one place.”
The comment distracts Puck for a second. “Me too, Mrs. K?”
“Puck,” she grabs his cheek and shakes his head from side to side. “I’m glad you’re here with us.”
I wonder if Ma is aware of all the bad things Puck did over the years. But she always had a soft spot for him.
“Mrs. K,” Puck jumps to compliment her. “You look so good with a baby in your arms. There is no way you’re old enough to be these two fuckers’ mom,” he points at me and Wyatt.
“Mr. Puck,” Devereaux interjects in his fancy tone of voice. “You need to learn your audience. And this is not it.”
A mask falls over Puck’s face, almost like he’s suddenly remembering why he’s here.
“Yes, sir,” he nods at Devereaux, then turns back to me. “Dude, come inside.”
I’d normally tell him to fuck off. Nobody tells me what to do. However, I feel generous today. The heart to heart with Wyatt got me all soft and shit.
“Dylan,” Ma stops me right as I’m about to pass by her. “Look at Parker. Isn’t she adorable?”
I look down at the bundle in her arms. All I see is a bald head with a small face that’s scowling at me. She has a pacifier in her mouth, and it keeps on moving as she’s sucking on it.
“Adorable,” I tell Ma, then try to move around her so I can go talk to Puck.
“Hold her for a minute.” Ma’s request sounds like a challenge. I’ve never backed down from a challenge. However, I have to bow out of this one.
“Sorry, Ma, I can’t right now.”
“Dylan,” she steps closer, effectively trapping me, and now everyone is staring. “Hold the baby.”
“This is not a good time, Ma,” I try again.
“Dylan,” she growls at me, once again reminding me how similar we truly are. “Hold. The. Baby.”
With that, to my horror, she brings the baby up and presses her against my chest. I have no choice but to bring my hands up just in time before Ma lets go.
“Fuck, Ma,” I grumble. “What if I drop her?”
“You’re a natural, honey,” she rubs a hand up and down my arm. “Make sure to support her head,” she adds and moves my hand more so the baby’s resting her neck and head in the palm of my hand.
I am speechless, staring into the tiniest face I have ever seen. My niece’s. For some reason, I am expecting her to stare back at me with judgement, but she’s just sucking away on her pacifier, not caring who’s holding her as long as it’s comfortable.
“Looking good with a baby in your arms, big brother,” Wyatt grins at me from the sidelines. I’d kill him right now if I could, but I don’t want the baby to start crying and then hate me for the rest of my life.
“Fuck,” I call out. “Somebody needs to take her from me,” I look around in panic. “Fuck,” I repeat when no one is moving.
“Stop saying that while you’re holding my baby, Dylan,” Alison snaps at me.
“Then I suggest you get your ass here and take your baby back,” I snap back.
