12. Ben
CHAPTER TWELVE
ben
TRIPLE BIRTHDAY
Tonight is the triplets’ twenty-first birthday party, which means I get to see Katy even if she’s been keeping her distance.
I hate it.
I shouldn’t have said I was the baby’s dad. Part of me knows I should’ve talked to her first. But another part of me can’t shake the feeling that she just doesn’t think I’m good enough to be a father.
That she hopes someone else is the dad.
I shove the thought deep where it belongs and put on my Party Ben attitude.
My cousins’ backyard is pure chaos. There are string lights everywhere, a dance floor, music blasting, and way too much food. Rose Bay U’s entire hockey team and half the football team are here, dressed like they’re at a frat formal. Plus some of the triplets’ friends from high school.
Then I see Katy.
She’s across the lawn, talking to Rebecca, one hand resting casually on her belly, the other wrapped around a mocktail. She’s glowing, but not in the cliché pregnancy way people always talk about.
It’s confidence.
The way she laughs, like she’s finally decided she doesn’t owe anyone anything. Like she’s done with expectations.
The sight hits harder than I want it to.
She’s wearing a flowy floral dress, curls loose around her shoulders. She looks gentle and untouchable at the same time. And I’m just… standing here, beer forgotten in my hand, staring like an idiot.
She catches me looking.
Of course she does.
“Wipe that look off your face, Davis,” she calls, already smirking as she walks over. “You’re drooling.”
I snort. “I wasn’t looking.”
“Liar,” she says easily. “You’ve never been good at subtle.”
That is very true.
We stand there for a second, the noise of the party filling the space neither of us is rushing to fill.
Finally, I clear my throat. “Listen…”
She lifts a hand. “Careful.”
I nod. Fair.
“I get why you don’t trust me.” I force myself to keep it simple. Keep it honest. “I messed up. I disappeared when you needed me.”
Her expression doesn’t soften, but it doesn’t harden either.
“I’m not asking you to forget that,” I add. “I just want the chance to prove I can show up now. For you.” I hesitate. “And for the baby. In whatever way you’ll let me.”
She studies me for a long moment, like she’s deciding whether I’m worth the emotional effort.
“Okay,” she says finally. “I’d like that.”
Hope sparks in my chest so fast it feels dangerous.
Then she tilts her head, eyes bright with mischief.
“But just so you know,” she adds, “a couple of the other possible dads are here.”
I blink. “Excuse me?”
She gestures vaguely across the yard. “Oh yeah. I haven’t talked to them yet. But statistically speaking…” She taps her chin. “You’re sitting at about thirty percent.”
My eyebrows shoot up. “Thirty.”
“Give or take,” she says cheekily. “That guy by the grill? Twenty percent. Guy in the blue shirt? Strong fifteen. Underdog energy.”
I stare at her. “Are you… playing with me right now?”
She shrugs, unapologetic. “Yeah. Sorry. I’m petty like that.”
For a beat, I just look at her.
Then I laugh. Actually laugh.
“Unbelievable,” I shake my head. “You made a list, didn’t you?”
Her smile widens. “I absolutely did not.” She pauses. “Okay, maybe a mental one.”
I exhale, some of the tightness slipping away. “I deserve this.”
“Correct.” Her tone is cheerful. “Fifteen percent chance it’s his,” she continues, pointing at another guy.
I groan, dragging a hand down my face. “Katy.”
“What? He’s tall. Strong jawline. Good smile. A great candidate.”
“Did you seriously hook up with him, or are you just torturing me?”
The little brat just giggles.
I squeeze her hand before I think better of it. “Unbelievable. Katy Cat, you’re going to put me in an early grave.”
She grins, smug. “Don’t be so dramatic. It’s only a ten percent chance it’s his.”
My voice drops, low and rough.
“I hear all this talk, but you’re still holding my hand.”
Like letting go never even crossed her mind.
KATY
I’m nursing my virgin lemonade, but I’m still having too much fun. I’ve just finished torturing Ben with my completely ridiculous paternity percentages when I notice someone walking toward us.
Logan.
Amazing, just what I needed tonight. I’m so not ready for this. I forgot he knew the triplets from high school. He grew up in Rose Bay too.
He hesitates, clearly uncomfortable, but too decent not to say something.
“Hey Katy. How’s the little zucchini doing?”
“The what?” Ben turns to look at me, his eyes missing their usual softness.
“The baby is the size of a zucchini this week,” Logan explains, then offers his hand to Ben. “Hey, man. Logan.”
Ben’s lips are tight, his eyes showing that he put two and two together. He offers his hand anyway. “Ben. We’ve met before. At the bar.”
“Right.”
Ben grabs my waist and pulls me closer to him. “I appreciate that you looked out for Katy.”
“Of course. She’s a good friend. Will you be looking out for her now?”
“Yeah. Her and the zucchini. And that’s not changing, whether it turns out to be a zucchini, a carrot, or a damn eggplant.”
Logan stifles a laugh, then nods once. “Good. I’m glad to hear that. Katy, it was nice to see you. Keep me posted on how you’re doing.”
“Sure.”
Then he steps away, disappearing back into the chaos of the party.
When he’s gone, I can’t bring myself to meet Ben’s eyes.
“I…I wanted to hurt you,” I admit quietly. “And that’s how I did it.”
Ben exhales, slow and controlled, but his hand never leaves mine.
He looks away for a second, jaw flexing.
“Yeah,” he says. “You did.” His gaze is still fixed on where Logan disappeared. “But I’m still here. And I played a part too.”
My stomach knots. “I’m sorry.”
He finally turns toward me. His jaw is tight, but his eyes are steady. “Don’t be sorry. You did nothing wrong.”
I stare down at my lemonade. “Yeah. But still, I’m sorry you had to hear that.”
Ben steps closer, voice low but sure. “Katy.”
He waits until I look up.
“Either way,” he says, unwavering, “I’m choosing you. And I’m choosing that baby.”
Something inside me loosens at the certainty in his tone.
Even if the answers aren’t simple, Ben’s devotion is.