Chapter 16
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
APRICOT
“The kid ain’t mine, but he is,” Grimm declares, and that simple statement screws with my head.
“How is he not, but he is?” I frown, not understanding him.
Sighing, Grimm drops his hand and stands.
He runs his hands through his hair, releases a harsh breath, and pinches the bridge of his nose.
When his eyes come back to me, I know he’s not actually with me, with me.
“My folks had me when my mom was fifteen. Dad was seventeen. They got kicked out of their homes when the secret was out. They got married and found a place to live in, some worn-out trailer where they lived. Hell, that’s where they probably still lived. ”
“Lived?”
Grimm ignores me and paces. “Growing up, neither parent gave two shits about me. They were more worried about where to get the next fix from. I don’t know how they made money to be able to keep from being put out on the streets, but they were never sober.
I can’t remember a single time. I got older and started in with a gang that was in that portion.
I was being groomed by the leader when Hydra and Rock pulled my ass out.
I never understood why they did it, but I don’t give a fuck.
I’m out of that life and never looked back.
Not until I got a call in the middle of the night. ”
I swallow and stare at him as he goes on. This time, his eyes focused on me.
“Tripp called me. We knew each other back in the day. Both of us able to get out of that shit. Anyway, he called and told me to meet him. Didn’t know what it was about, then he told me about Justice.
Also told me about my folks being dead. Justice is my little brother, and I was given the option of washing my hands of him or taking him on as my own. ”
I gasp, my hands flying up to my mouth. “You’re taking him on,” I say more to myself than anything.
Grimm nods, moves to the side of the bed, and sits next to me. “This shit don’t go further than it already has. Only a select few know my past. I’m keeping it that way, and I’m asking you to as well.” I nod and drop my hand to reach out and grab his.
“I won’t say anything,” I whisper and squeeze his hand. “I’m good at keeping secrets.
That got a response out of Grimm. He releases my hand only to grip my wrist and yank me into his lap. “We’re not gonna joke about that shit. But I’d appreciate you not speaking of this again.”
I nod understandingly. “I promise.”
“Good, now I gotta know where you’re at with this. You and me, we’re together and now I’ve got Justice. You gonna be cool with him being at the house with us?”
“Yes, I always wanted kids, I mean . . .”
“That’s something else we gotta talk about, Dimples.” His fingers flex at my waist. “Took you several times now, baby. Came in you each time. Wasn’t thinkin’ about protection.”
“I’m on the pill. Have been since I was sixteen because it helps with my period and cramps I used to get,” I blurt and blush, wanting to smack myself for blathering that snippet of information.
“Good to know, baby. Now, seriously, you gonna be okay with me having Justice at your place? If not, I’ll take him to mine. Probably better, it’s got more room in it.”
“Your place?” I cock a brow. “How come I haven’t seen it or knew anything about it?”
“Because I don’t use it much, but you still haven’t answered my question.”
“I don’t mind him being at home. I mean, I love kids. I want to have three,” I rant and realize what I said and blush, “I mean, one day.”
“Right.” Grimm’s lip twitches, and he leans in to press a kiss to my lips. “Gotta let your mom know you’re okay, and I want you to meet Justice. I’m sure the others will want to know you’re good.”
I groan and tilt my head back to stare at the ceiling, willing it to open up a black hole and suck me into it. “Great.”
Grimm stands, taking me with him, his hands slide down, and he cups my bottom. “It’ll be okay.”
“Dimples, you gonna be okay while we got church?” Grimm asks, getting my attention.
I lift my gaze from Justice to smile at Grimm and nod. “Yeah.”
“Be back soon as we’re done. We’ve got shit to do so we can get home finally,” he says, leaning down to press a kiss to my lips.
“Okay,” I murmured into his mouth before he walked away.
After Grimm brought me out into the main room, the first thing that happened was me assuring everyone I was okay.
Grimm sat me down on one of the cushy couches and went to take Justice from my mom.
Of course, my mom didn’t waste time laying into me.
She chastised me for an hour straight. My dad got in on it, and they demanded to know everything.
From the first episode and how I found out, to the doctor I’ve been seeing. All of it.
They finally dropped it when Justice started crying, and Grimm set the baby in my lap with a bottle. “Feed him for me.” The way Grimm said it, I realized he was freaked about this as much as anyone else could be.
I nodded and dropped my gaze to the bundle now in my arms. I took one look at the baby and was a goner.
Now Justice is sleeping against my chest, fist to mouth, and my mom’s still hovering around. The one time I told her to back up, she snapped at me that was not happening.
At least someone remembered my store. Viking asked Fawn and Peyton to take care of the place for me. I didn’t have the mental capacity right now to do it myself.
This is fine, but I need to sort through all I now have on my mind.
Grimm now had Justice and being with him meant taking on a child.
I don’t mind this at all. I mean, I’ve thought about it enough over the years about how I wanted to give Grimm kids.
Justice might not be his son, but he’s his brother and his responsibility to raise.
He can’t just take care of the kid and not treat him like his own.
Being adopted myself, I know I lucked out with some amazing parents.
I sigh, processing through everything else, and I come to the conclusion I have one more thing to tell Grimm. Though I don’t want to. It’s not like it’s ever been more than it is. But with all that’s happened and now with Justice in our lives, I can’t take the chance. He needs to know.
And when I tell him, I know he won’t be happy.
Not in the least.