Chapter 32
Quentin
“Isn’t that the girl you hung out with the last time you came out with us?” Pauly says, hitting my shoulder with his.
I never told anyone from the team besides Ryker about what happened that night. So, as far as Cole and Pauly know, we did nothing more than flirt and talk that night.
Cole looks over his shoulder to confirm it’s her. “It totally is. Why don’t you go up to her? Didn’t you two hit it off?”
I groan as I set my glass of soda down. They don’t know about the baby yet, and I need to tread very carefully.
I never told them the truth about that night because at the time, I was embarrassed. I didn’t want to tell them how we had sex, and she declined when I asked to see her again.
“It was just flirting and dancing. She wasn’t looking for anything serious.” I attempt to sound casual, when there is nothing casual about having a baby with someone.
“It looks like Ian is not only going to take your ace spot, but your girl too.” Pauly chuckles.
“That’s his sister,” I say the words before I can think them through.
Both Cole and Pauly pause with their beers halfway in the air, exchanging a confused look as they slowly set them down.
“But…” Pauly starts.
“Ian’s sister is pregnant,” Cole finishes.
I find them both staring at me with wide eyes, expecting an explanation.
“Don’t tell me it’s yours,” Pauly nearly chokes out as he begins to laugh.
“Why would that be funny?” My voice is ice, making him sit up straight and cough into his fist.
“It’s not. I just can’t believe this.”
“Hold your horses, let’s figure this out,” Cole says as he pats Pauly’s shoulder. He turns to face me and leans in as he whispers, “Is it yours?”
I know we agreed not to share it with others just yet, but I know she’s told her two friends and I trust these guys with my life, even if they drive me insane.
“Yes, but you can’t say a word. No one knows, not even Ian,” I whisper-hiss, trying to keep my voice down.
Both Pauly and Cole remain silent for a beat, processing, and then, pandemonium. Suddenly, they’re out of their high-top seats and crushing me in a hug as they congratulate me.
“Okay, that’s enough. I don’t want to make a scene,” I tell them as I shove them away, despite the smile on my face. Because it feels good to tell people, to have the people I’m close to be excited for me.
“Wow, you’re going to be a dad. That’s so cool.” Pauly lowers his voice, leaning his chest across the table as he speaks.
“Yeah, I am,” I reply, thinking about how I thought I had this once and how it crushed me when I found out that it wasn’t real.
This isn’t like that, but sometimes I lie awake at night, worrying that something will take this away from me.
“So what’s the deal between you two?” Cole asks.
“We’re co-parenting. She’s actually living with me right now because her place burned down.”
Cole folds his lips together, then says, “Man, are you not worried she’s trying to trap you?”
I glare at him, and it must be lethal enough because he leans back in his seat as he throws his hands up in defense.
“No, I’m not. She can easily afford her own place.
It’s just easier right now as she transitions into motherhood.
I can help the first few months until she gets her footing, and then we’ll set up a schedule for who has the baby and when.
” I do my best to explain without telling them that she has no family to help besides Ian.
When Camille had Olivia, Ryker’s mom stayed at their place for a month until they got their bearings.
We don’t have that. I’m sure Camille would offer, but she has her own family to care for right now.
“And you don’t want to be with her, romantically?” Pauly asks, keeping his voice low enough that no one near us could hear a thing.
My instinctive response is to say that we’re platonic, because that’s what I say to Teagan all the time. And yet, the words don’t come.
Because I’d be lying if I said I didn’t have feelings for her. It started out as agreeing to be just friends and caring for the mother of my child, but between the cozy evenings we’ve settled into since she moved in, getting to know her behind the facade she puts on, I’ve fallen for her.
“We can’t be,” is what I go with, though, because it’s the truth. “Blueberry is our number one priority, and if we try to date and it goes to shit, it could ruin any chance we have at providing a healthy parenting relationship.”
“Blueberry?” Pauly and Cole both repeat.
A small chuckle slips between my lips. “Yeah, it’s what she calls the baby.”
They both smile softly at that, then Pauly says, “Well, I’m happy for you, Q. We’re going to be here for anything you need, okay?”
“What he said,” Cole says as he tosses a thumb toward Pauly.
“Thanks, guys, I appreciate you two.”
They nod along before tipping their beers back and taking a drink. I take a sip of my soda, wanting to be completely sober and alert.
My eyes track behind Pauly’s head to Teagan, who’s standing in line at the bar, with no Ian in sight.
It’s probably not the best idea to go near her, considering Ian can appear at any time, but there’s no harm in me getting a drink at the same time she is, right?
I’m out of my seat, making my way toward the group of people waiting for drinks at the bar, shoving my way through people until I get to her.
I come up behind her, drop my lips to her ear, and say, “Why is Ian not doing this for you?”
She spins to face me, her plush lips parting as she looks up at me. “Because I have a heartbeat. I can get my own drink, and he had to take a call outside. Blueberry wants lemonade.”
“You should’ve texted me. I would’ve gotten it for you.”
Her brows narrow as she crosses her arms under her chest. “I know you have this need to take care of people, but I’m seriously fine.”
We’re in a staring contest, neither of us backing down until I sigh and look up at the ceiling. “You’re so stubborn, but so am I. I’m going to wait with you.”
“And what if Ian sees?” she counters.
“I’m getting myself a drink and you happen to be in line too. Easy explanation,” I supply, not worried about her brother at the moment.
My heart feels like it could pound out of my chest as all the possibilities run through my mind. Someone tripping and falling into her. Someone elbowing her stomach.
Each one pinches my heart, making it ache as stress eats at me. Fuck, I’ve never experienced anything like this. Of course I worried about Camille growing up, and now Olivia, but it’s never been like this.
Like this all-consuming need to protect what’s mine.
I know she isn’t, but God, she feels like it at times.
I’m so lost in my head that I don’t realize what’s happening until Teagan’s voice cuts through the air with disdain.
“I said no,” she fires, glaring at the man to her left, who has his hand on her waist.
“C’mon, honey,” he slurs before I push him off her so forcefully, that if it weren’t for the people behind him holding him up, he’d be on his ass.
“Keep your fucking hands off the mother of my child,” I grit.
“What the hell did you say?” a familiar voice behind me shouts.
I whip around to face Ian just as he cocks his arm back to throw a punch at me, but Teagan yanks on his arm.
“Stop it. Let’s go outside and talk. There are too many eyes on us,” she tells him.
He inhales and exhales deeply, like a fire-breathing dragon as he attempts to calm down.
Pauly and Cole are here now, and they give Ian a pointed look toward the door. He laughs, but it’s not because he finds this humorous, then storms out the front door of the bar.
Teagan and I follow suit, with Pauly and Cole taking up a watching position near the large glass front windows.
As soon as we’re outside, Teagan puts herself firmly between Ian and me.
“There will be no punching, only talking. If you two want to act like children, I’ll happily drop you off at the closest playground,” she says, her voice firm despite the slight shake of her hand that I notice.
I brush my fingers against hers, trying to soothe her until Ian speaks up.
“So let me get this straight. You went and slept with my sister, to what? Get back at me for wanting to take your spot?”
I scoff at how big his ego is, to think I’d go to that length just to piss him off.
“I never even knew she was your sister until we had dinner back in June. So no, Ian. This wasn’t done as fuck you to you or something like that.” I want to add that I’m no more happy about being tied to him than he is, but I know it wouldn’t help matters.
Both of his hands run through his hair as he paces. I can practically feel the anger radiating off him, so I subtly shift my body so that it’s in front of Teagan’s.
“Ian, why the fuck is this such a big deal to you?” Teagan speaks up, her frustration bleeding through her words. “I’m an adult. I can sleep with whoever I want.”
“Not him,” he groans, glaring at me.
“That’s not for you to decide,” she fires back, stepping to the side, away from behind me.
“I didn’t know who he was when we met. And you know what, even if I did, I’m still allowed to make my own choices.
Just because you don’t like him for whatever pissing contest the two of you have going on, doesn’t mean I don’t have to. ”
I remain silent, figuring it’s best right now as I let the two of them say what they need to say.
“Are you two dating?” he asks.
“No, we’re co-parenting. Friends,” she supplies.
Ian sighs, sounding exasperated. “You’ve been lying to me this whole time, Jen. The father is not only someone I know, but someone I despise at that.”
“Watch how you speak to her,” I cut in, drawing both of their eyes to me.
“She’s an adult. She doesn’t need to tell you everything.
And she wasn’t lying. She was omitting that information for the time being.
There’s a difference. And it’s because she knew you’d act like this.
Hell, I’m not thrilled about being connected to you, but it is what it is.
That baby is a hell of a lot more important to me than the bad blood between us. ”
“So if you don’t want bad blood, then give up your spot. Let me take the spot that’s rightfully mine.” Ian takes a few steps toward me, but I don’t tense in the slightest.
“This is exactly why I won’t. You’re not ready yet.” I shake my head as I sigh. It’s honestly sad because the kid is talented, yet not ready for the responsibility of being the ace.
Ian doesn’t respond. He only tightens his jaw and looks at me with daggers in his green eyes.
“Look, I don’t apologize for keeping it from you, because that was my choice to make and one I stand by.
I’m entitled to my privacy. And if you would like to be a part of this baby’s life, then I suggest you find a way to be okay with this.
I refuse to have it be like this”—she gestures between us—“every time we’re all in a room together. That goes for both of you, so fix it.”
“I know I can be civil and friendly. It’s him I don’t know about.” I jut my chin toward her dipshit brother.
Ian runs a hand over his mouth as he shakes his head. “I… I need time. To wrap my head around all of this.”
“Well, it’s a good thing you guys leave for a two-week road trip. Sounds like a great time to bond.” Teagan pats Ian on the shoulder, her voice oozing sarcasm.
He doesn’t respond, except for the roll of his eyes as Teagan turns to face me.
“Let’s go home,” she says, then looks over her shoulder. “Oh, I’m not staying with Clara. I’ve been staying with Quentin, by the way. Add that to your list of things to process and get over.”
I stifle a laugh because goddamn she’s giving him the gears and it’s funny as hell to see. It’s about time someone put him in his place.
“Let’s go home,” I repeat her words back to her as I wrap my arm around her shoulders and lead the way to my car.
And the entire ride home, all I can think about is how she called my house our home. She might’ve been saying it just to piss her brother off, and yet I find myself wondering if there was any truth to it.
Hoping there was.