Chapter 28
Reece
The bedroom door closes softly, and Ethan pads down the hall. I know it’s him by his long, assured stride.
He enters the kitchen, and on his way to the coffeemaker, his gaze lands on the blanket and pillow on the couch. “Was it that bad?” He smirks and pours himself a cup.
“Not terrible.” Seated at the breakfast table, I sip my coffee and skim through my phone. “I’m a light sleeper. I’m usually up all night.”
The dark calls to me, and I wake often. There’s something about solitude in the dead of the night. I can’t explain it, but time moves more slowly. It’s tranquil, meditating.
He takes a seat across from me, blowing the steam from his mug. “That’ll be convenient when the baby comes.”
I wince, a knee-jerk response to the thought of caring for what’s his. I don’t know how they share everything, and I don’t know why it bothers me.
Not only that, but the last time I was around a baby—my nephew when he was a year old—his cries evoked an agitation that made me want to put my fist through a wall.
Ethan quickly corrects himself. “While we’re away…or we could hire a nanny.” His cheeks flush. “I didn’t mean it was your responsibility. Sorry.”
He’s talking as if I belong, as if I’m one of them. Isn’t that what I’d hoped for?
“No, it’s fine. She won’t want a nanny.”
He makes a sound of agreement. “How would you like to do this? I know your dynamic differs from ours, and you want to work security.” He swallows a hefty dose of caffeine and gets straight to the point. “I need her to live in New York. She can’t stay here.”
Of course, I’ll go with her, but… “Permanently?”
He shrugs, but his gaze gravitates to the ceiling. He’s worried about the cameras and Jax’s reaction.
“What about her doctor? Her grandmother? The baby?”
“We’ll figure it out. Obviously, I’ll need your help.” He shoves his fingers through his unruly hair. “If she stays, it’s only a matter of time before it’s her they come after—again. The twins won’t allow Lucas to return, I guarantee it, and I’d much prefer she were with my family and safe.”
I doubt Jackson will finish his contract in LA while Aurora lives in New York, even if he is in love with Ethan. He’ll either quit or have an absolute meltdown.
“I’ll go anywhere with her, but she’s six months pregnant. She and the baby need stability. She’s going to be worried sick again.”
“She has you; you’re her stability as well.”
Panic sets in. I almost lost my partner. I’m struggling to care for myself right now. I don’t know if I can care for her and a baby.
“Once you’re healed,” he continues, “she can travel with us, and we’ll stay in New York when we’re not playing. I’ll talk to her, ensure she has everything she needs. Just help me get through this season. It’s what’s best for her.”
“I don’t disagree, but she’ll have doctor’s appointments. She’ll want a nursery.” I gesture with my hand. “You’re missing out. She’s missing out.”
He narrows his eyes. “What is she missing out on? There are three of us, and she can pick whatever nursery she wishes. I’ll pack up and ship this one if that’s what she wants. I’m trying to keep her safe.”
Frustrated, I shake my head, a dull ache forming at the base of my skull. “She’s missing you—the father of her child.”
His scowl deepens, a puzzled expression on his face. “I’m not leaving forever.”
I grip the edge of the table, and sharp pain shoots through my neck, adding to my annoyance. I need to go back to bed. Aurora was right—I shouldn’t have slept on the couch. “The baby isn’t mine! It’s not the same.”
He raises a challenging brow. “You can’t love and care for someone who’s not yours?” He holds my gaze, knowing he got me there. “It’s not Jackson’s either, but he’s over the moon with excitement.”
“That’s because it belongs to you.”
“Nope. His life changed the moment he discovered she was pregnant. He didn’t know I was the father.”
“He wants a baby.”
“And you don’t?” His voice rises. “Probably something you should’ve thought about before you fell in love with Aurora.”
The bedroom door creaks, and Jackson’s hurried pace echoes down the hall. He hustles into the kitchen wearing only black boxer briefs, his hair sticking up in places, marks and bruises on his skin, exhaustion darkening his eyes.
“What the fuck could you possibly be arguing about at six in the morning?” he whisper-yells. “Rocco and Big D must be jet-lagged if they’re sleeping through this.”
I stand. “Nothing. Never mind.” I wave him off and go to the coffeemaker for another cup. “I’m just agitated. Shit hasn’t been easy lately.”
“No, it’s not nothing,” Ethan hisses. “If you don’t want a baby, it’s a huge fucking deal.”
Jax glances between us. “What? Like any babies? Or your own?”
I set my mug on the counter and pinch the bridge of my nose.
“That’s not what I meant.” I drop my arm to my side and spell it out for them.
“All I’m saying is, Aurora needs quality time with the baby’s father.
I’m not a substitute. It’s yours. You should be going to appointments, feeling the baby kick, putting together the nursery—shit like that. I can’t do it! Look at me!”
Fuck, I’m injured. I’m tired. I failed my partner. Who’s next?
They stare at each other, having some wordless conversation.
Ethan slumps in his chair. “Thank you…for telling me how you feel. I’m not asking you to assume my responsibilities.
I didn’t know you drew a line between Aurora and the baby.
We’ll set up the nursery.” He gestures to the three of us.
“This isn’t all on you. Does it make you uncomfortable to take her to appointments if needed? Or to care for my child?”
I clear my tight throat. “Not necessarily, but it doesn’t feel right either.”
Jax leans against the wall, arms crossed.
“You have this picture-perfect, conventional idea of what having this baby should look like when we’re anything but.
In a perfect world, it’d be mine. I’d be there for every milestone.
But that’s not how it went.” He places a hand on his chest. “I relapsed—a few times—and got punished with you two.” He gestures to the man beside him.
“He used a decrepit wallet condom on his oversized dick to screw an escort in the back of a limo while still married.”
Ethan smacks Jackson’s ass cheek in retaliation and snarls, “Shut up.”
Jax motions to me. “You fell for Aurora, who was already pregnant—by said oversized dick—who you were pretending to protect, who wasn’t yours, who you watched with two other men.” He cocks his head and scoffs. “And now you’re uncomfortable? Be for real.”
Well, when he puts it that way…it does sound ridiculous.
Maybe I’m still holding on to some of my parents’ conservative views.
Maybe I need to let that shit go. Maybe I’m shaken over the shitty month we’ve had.
“I’m not uncomfortable. I feel like I’m trespassing, encroaching on another man’s territory. ”
“Yes, because you’ve never done that before,” he mocks, sarcasm dripping from every word.
I skewer him with a glare. “You were broken up, remember?”
His nostrils flare. “She never broke up with me!”
“Let’s not take a trip down memory lane,” Ethan cuts in.
“Let’s figure this out. Reece,” his eyes lock with mine, “you won’t be injured forever.
Shit won’t be this rough. Lucas wasn’t your fault.
You rescued him and you kept Aurora safe.
I appreciate you. We’re all in this together.
Tell me what you need, and I’ll make it happen. ”
Unable to speak, I swallow the lump in my throat and nod.
“Why don’t we drop the whole ‘whose kid is whose’ thing?
” Jax suggests. “You wouldn’t want us to treat your kid any differently.
I’m uncertain I want a biological child, and it would suck if we couldn’t share.
” His voice strains with emotion, and his eyes glisten.
He’s moody—all over the place—and he’s only been in LA a handful of hours. I’m not much better.
A frown contorts Ethan’s face, etching deep lines into his forehead. “Why?”
Jax taps his temple and gives a half-assed shrug. “Not sure I should pass along this DNA.”
Ethan pulls Jax between his legs until he’s partly on his lap and wrapped in his arms. “It’s not all DNA. Our life won’t be like yours or mine. It may not be perfect, but it’ll be pretty damn good. You’re okay, I promise.”
I return to my seat at the breakfast table. “I agree—with both sentiments. Our kids will have a much better life, and we shouldn’t focus on whose baby it is.” A crazy thought hits me, and I can’t suppress my smile. “After this one, we won’t know who it belongs to anyhow.”
Jackson’s gaze snaps to mine. “Is that a challenge? Are we playing Russian roulette, Viking?”
“I’m just saying.” I full-on grin. “There’s no guarantee who the father will be.”