Page 49 of Genevieve

I shift into reverse and gun it backward. When I have him in my sights again grab my sunglasses off the dashboard.

“Only father I see around here is sitting right next to me, and he’s been pulling double duty for years. Thanks, but I’m not taking applications for wanna-be weekend daddies. So I’m not sure how you found out about MY son, but you can just go back and forget all about him. Have a good life, Frankie.” I place my sunglasses on my nose and drive away from the only man I’ve ever loved.

“Get Bear on the line. I want to know how Wolf found out.” I hiss at Pops as I drive us into town for Deacon’s kindergarten graduation.

“Was that wise?” Mom asks from the back seat, and I sigh.

“Denying it wouldn’t have gotten me anywhere. I guess I’m lucky it took this long.” I park the car in the lot, and we all pile out.

“I’ll go find seats.” Mom leaves Pops and me outside the main doors.

He hangs up the phone frowning at me.

“What?” I ask when I see his worried face.

“It was Gramps. He let it slip.” I hang my head.

I can’t even get mad at the old man. His memory isn’t what it used to be, which is why I took over as President since Pops didn’t want the job, and my uncle is still deployed.

“Pops, Damaris, move your butts! It’s about to start!” I turn to my twin sister Davina who’s waving us into the school frantically.

We get to the doors just as I hear the rumble of a Harley behind me. I turn to see Wolf dropping his kickstand.

“I’ll handle this. Go inside.” I shake my head.

“Davina, can you stall?” She nods.

“I can move him to the last position.” My sister is a blessing.

She rushes off to rearrange her students in line to put my baby last, so I don’t miss him on stage. I stare his father down as he comes up the sidewalk. My Pops and VP at my back, ready to protect my son from the only monster that’s ever been a danger to him.

“You need to leave. You are unwanted here and trespassing.” I watch the resolve on Wolf’s face settle and know I’m screwed.

That look haunts my dreams. It’s the same one he gave me right before he skipped town but not before telling me to ‘Get rid of it.’ I was seventeen, scared and alone, thinking he loved me. What a fucking fool I was.

“AM I HIS FATHER?” I hear the doors behind me close.

“You are a sperm donor at best. Now pretend I aborted him like you told me to and LEAVE.” Wolf’s face goes white, and he stares behind me.

“Mama?” FUCK!

I turn around, and my baby is watching us in his little cap and gown. No, not like this. I thought I had more time to explain. That he’d be older and capable of understanding. I swing around to face Wolf again but see him walking back to the curve.

“You ready to graduate, big boy?” I bend down and pick my son up and carry him into the school.

Before the doors close behind us, Deacon asks the question I’ve been fearing since the day he was born.

“Was that my dad?” I stop cold in my tracks and feel a sob working its way up my throat.

“Yeah, baby, it was. We’ll talk about him later, ok? Right now, Auntie is waiting for you.” He sighs and rolls his eyes.

“She’s Ms. Deacon here, mama!” He runs to my sister, and I turn away, so he doesn’t see my tears.

“I got you, princess.” Pops hugs me to him while I bawl my eyes out.

“But it’s his birthday. His golden one and that fucker ruined it.” He hushes me and helps me to our seats.

“It’s not ruined. We’ll figure it out. We always do.” I wipe my face and sigh.

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