Page 75 of Beneath the Scars
“I didn’t remember him until today. I blocked a lot of my childhood out of my head—for obvious reasons—but the minute he called me Mikey, I knew exactly who he was.”
I place the photo inside his wallet before lying back down on his chest. “That must’ve been such a shock.”
He snorts. “You have no idea. I actually ran away and threw up in some bushes. Then I remembered that he’s been your friend for years. He had to know who I was, and I needed to find out what his motive was.”
He tells me the whole awful story of how the two of them grew up and how it felt when Zane left and never came back. By the end, tears are streaming down both of our faces.
“Do you want a relationship with him?” I can’t think about my own relationship with Zane right now. I’d have my own meltdown, and Michael needs me more. It will be my turn soon enough.
“I don’t know. My first instinct is to say no. I’ve removed everything that reminded me of my childhood from my life. But on the other hand, he’s the only family I have left. He was my best friend and is part of the only good memories I have of growing up.”
“The good news is, you don’t have to make any decisions right now. If it takes you years, then it takes you years.”
“I think I need to make an appointment with my old therapist.”
“That’s probably a good idea. She’d be an unbiased sounding board to help you work through all the emotions Zane has caused to resurface.”
Michael’s dark gaze pins me in place. “Thank you for knowing what I needed when I didn’t. I was spinning out, andbeing able to focus my attention on you helped the chaos turn to order.”
“I’m glad it helped. I’ll do whatever it takes to make you happy, Michael.”
“Having you in my life and my bed is enough, Trouble.”
“I think we’ve officially met our quota for surprises. The next few years should be smooth sailing now.”
Michael chuckles. “Let’s hope like fuck that’s true.”
Chapter 40
Michael
“You’re a baby whisperer,” Carson says with awe in his voice. The dark circles under his eyes speak to long nights and little sleep.
My body sways instinctively. This tiny bundle of terror in my arms is fast asleep now, and I don’t dare stop moving.
When I walked into Ginny and Carson’s house, it was bedlam. Nina was screaming, Carson was shushing her while trying to feed her, and poor Ginny had tears streaming down her face as she sat on the couch, watching her partner and their baby both get progressively more frustrated.
Something came over me, and I plucked Nina out of Carson’s arms and shooed them away. They both looked at me as if I were a complete stranger before they hightailed it out of the room like their asses were on fire. I’d have laughed if I didn’t have an inconsolable baby to deal with. The minute Carson and Ginny were gone, I looked down at Nina and said, “Well, that was stupid. What shall we do now?”
I plopped her against my chest, patting her back the way I’ve seen Carson do many times, completely unsure of how to get a baby to stop crying.
Then, to my utter delight, the tiny thing ripped out a massive burp and finally settled. I tempted her with more milk, and she passed out about twenty minutes ago. My arms are aching. Who knew something so tiny could become this heavy after being held for this long?
“You look good with a baby in your arms, brother.” Carson smirks.
Ginny’s giggle has me lifting an eyebrow at her. “What’s so funny over there?”
She glides toward me, looking fresh-faced and slightly more rejuvenated. She flips her phone screen around to show me a text thread with Adalaide. Ginny sent an image of me holding Nina, and Addie’s response makes me chuckle.
“Tell her I’d rather her ovaries not explode as I have plans for them in the future.”
“Damn, man. Who knew you could be such a smooth talker?” Carson teases.
“So things are going well between you two?” Ginny asks. She encourages me to take a seat on the couch now that Nina is down for the count. I gratefully accept the reprieve, my arms screaming in thanks.
“Things are incredible. I didn’t believe you guys when you said finding the right person makes all the difference. I hate that I never gave her enough credit, but I’m glad we’re happening now. I don’t think either of us would’ve been ready for a relationship before.”
“I think that’s the most I’ve ever heard him speak in one go,” Carson fake-whispers to Ginny.
