Chapter 25
The doorbell rings, waking me up. I don’t think I slept for more than four hours. Grumbling, I get out of bed and head to the front door.
My parents greet me with huge smiles. My four-year-old sister jumps right into my arms, and I say, “Hey, guys.”
“Surprise!”
Surprise my ass. This is them checking up on me, and it actually feels nice.
I gesture for them to come inside. While Jasmine runs around the living room, my father asks, “Why are you not on the track?”
“Parker is mad at me.”
When my mom’s face strains with worry, I quickly add, “I’ll go back in a few days.”
My father sighs, looking at me intently to make sure I’m all right. My mother arranges the decorative pillows to keep herself busy, and I say, “You don’t have to do this.”
“It actually looks better than I imagined.”
“Thanks, Mom.”
She hugs me. “I missed you.”
“I missed you too.”
“So, how’s the mystery girl? When will I meet Abigail?”
“She’s hard to get.” Impossible would be a better word.
“I like her already.”
“I have to get to class.”
Jasmine pouts, and a pang of guilt strikes me. I’m spending so little time with her. I crouch down to her eye level, saying, “If you promise to behave, I’ll take you with me.”
Her eyes round with enthusiasm, and she nods.
“I hope you know what you’re doing,” my mom says.
My dad chuckles.
“She isn’t half as bad as I was.”
“And I thank the heavens every day for that,” he retorts.
“Hey, that hurt my feelings.”
“The first gray hair had your name on it. I could look way younger now.”
“I’m glad you’re here,” I say.
After I get ready, I notice Jasmine has also changed. She looks adorable in her white and yellow tulle dress and two cute pigtails hanging from the sides of her head.
Once I remove the car seat from my parents’ car, and put it in mine, I take her hand, and place her in the backseat, buckling her in.
She talks the entire drive. “Are you good in class? I’m going to be the best. Do you have a girlfriend? Is she pretty? I’m sure she is pretty.”
I chuckle the entire ride to campus.
After I park, I help her out. Abigail pulls into the spot next to me.
When she gets out, she snatches her sunglasses from her nose. Her eyes take me in and then my baby sister. I suppress my amusement at how the wheels turn in her head. She must be taking in the similarities between us—we have the same hair and eyes.
She puts a hand on the hood like she needs the support.
My sister whispers in my ear, “Is she your girlfriend?”
“She will be.”
Giggling, she says, “She’s really pretty. Like a Barbie princess.”
I place Jasmine down. She waves at her, and Abigail waves back. A nostalgic smile plasters on her face as she approaches us.
“She’s beautiful. Looks like you.”
She really thinks she’s my daughter. I let her stew a bit longer.
She gave me all the reasons I needed. She said, “You.” I’d take her drunk answer over her sober one any day.
“I’m Jasmine, just like the princess. I love her, she’s cool. Which one is your favorite?” she asks Abigail.
Abigail puts her finger on her chin like she’s thinking. “You’re my favorite princess.”
Jasmine springs into her arms, and Abigail catches her, holding her tight. Strong emotions glisten in her eyes.
She looks at me. “She’s so cute.”
“Wanna make one?” I mouth.
She sucks in a breath, avoiding my glance but not before I catch vulnerability brimming in them.
“Do you want me to show you my favorite place here?” Abigail asks her.
“Can I go? Pretty please.”
I nod, emotions making it hard to express myself.
When I get myself under control, I tail after them. It’s not that I don’t trust Abigail, I just don’t want to miss a second of them bonding. Abigail holds her hand and asks Jasmine why she likes fairy tales. They giggle when my sister says the prince.
I smile even brighter when Abigail adds, “Everyone needs their special someone.”
They sit down on the grass, and Abigail picks some flowers, making a crown out of them. My sister watches enthralled. When Abigail puts it on her head, Jasmine jumps into her arms, and Abigail catches her.
“Thank you. Did your mommy teach you that?”
Her genuine smile vanishes, and it’s replaced by a forced one.
“No, I taught myself.”
“Can you teach me too?”
For the next half an hour, she patiently shows my sister how to make one. Sun rays shine on them, making the image in front of me appear ethereal. Abigail plucks a dandelion and blows on it. Jasmine tries to catch the fuzzy petals running around. It’s impossible to ignore my heart’s love for Abigail.
Jasmine must have consumed a lot of energy because she falls asleep, and Abigail takes her in her arms, kissing the top of her head.
“She’s incredible.”
I take Jasmine from her.
“You never said…”
“Would it have changed anything?”
“That you hid that you have a kid actually makes me feel like an even bigger fool. What do you think I would have done?”
“I’m taking her back to her mom. They’re staying at my place.”
Her cheeks heat, and jealousy burns in her eyes.
“Enjoy it.”
“I surely will.”
She storms away, and when I drive back home, I can’t shake the stupid grin on my face. If I know her the way I think I do, she’s going to pay us a visit.
I can’t wait to see Abigail’s face when she finds out. It serves her right for jumping to conclusions.
Jasmine is still fast asleep when I carry her into the house. I find my parents at the kitchen island, preparing lunch. I love it when they do this. It’s not often, but when they both have free time, they always cook together. “The courses must have really bored her.”
I chuckle and say, “No, she played with Abigail.”
“Is she coming over?”
“I’m counting on it.”
“Dane, I don’t like the gleam in your eyes,” my mom says.
I carry my sister into the guest room and place her in the middle of the bed. Propping my hip against the windowsill, I wait.
Not even a few minutes later, Abigail parks behind a line of trees and crouches behind the rose bushes. I open the window just to fuck with her a bit more.
“Babe, I hope you’re ready for me.”
One moment she hides in plain sight, the next she picks up a rock and throws it at my head. I duck just in time, the rock flying by my ear.
“Are you crazy?”
Stupid question. I know she is. Just like I am. There’s no cure for what we have.
“You’re so damn irresponsible. Who is taking care of Jasmine?”
“Wanna be the nanny on duty?”
Not waiting for her answer, I run down the stairs. Bolting through the front door, I catch her retreating to her car.
“Wanna meet my baby mama?”
Abigail stalks toward me and digs a finger into my chest.
“No.”
“You have met her.”
Her eyebrows draw together, and she tilts her head.
“You’re going to be the mother of my children, and I hope they can be halfway normal with us as their parents.”
She clutches her belly, pain shadowing her face. “I… I should go.”
“No, stay and stop imagining things.”
I grab her hand, and she puts up a fight, but I still bring her inside.
“I’m not going in there to…”
“You haven’t listened to a word I said.”
“What does that have to do with—”
In the foyer, our conversation stops when my mom rounds the corner.
“Mom, this is Abigail. She came by for lunch,” I say, introducing them.
“I’m so happy to meet you.”
“This was a trick,” she whisper-snarls in my ear.
“And you fell right into it with your jealousy.”
“Tell yourself whatever you want.” She huffs while smiling at my mom and shaking her hand.
“I’m so sorry I came unannounced. I would have brought something.”
“No need. You’re staying?” my mom asks her.
“I don’t want to impose.”
I pinch her ass, and she murders me in three different ways with her eyes—an empty threat. I grip her waist, going for a more appropriate touch.
“Nonsense. I have waited a long time to meet the young woman who stole my son’s heart.”
When my mom turns her back to me, Abigail says, “It will hurt her knowing you don’t possess a heart.”
“Yes, probably because I left it with you.”
She clamps her mouth shut, and my dad introduces himself next. He nods in my direction, and I beg him with my eyes to stop embarrassing me by casting those approving glances my way.
Taking her hand, we go outside until the food is ready. Reaching the dock, she says, “I like them. You should be grateful to have parents who care this deeply.”
“They like you too.” I open my mouth to say something more, knowing her family is a sensitive issue.
“I really thought Jasmine was yours.”
“I wanted to see your reaction.”
“Happy now? Because I’m sure your reaction would’ve been far worse if the roles were reversed.”
“That’s never going to happen. I said I’m going to be the father of your children. No one fucking else.”