Chapter 6
CHAPTER
SIX
ADELINE
Dr. Griffin called and asked if Damon and I could come in and meet with her.
The paternity test is back, and I worry why she didn’t just tell me the results over the phone.
I mean, I know Damon is the father. But he was more than willing to drive back out here.
Since it’s his offseason, he said other than some sponsorships and volunteer work, his schedule is free.
Damon’s Mercedes is parked in the lot when I pull in. Luckily, Dr. Griffin asked us to come in after hours, so I’m not missing any more work. I park my little domestic sedan next to his fancy car, and he climbs out immediately.
“How was your day?” he asks.
The truth is, we haven’t really spoken much or gotten to know one another any better than before he found out I was pregnant.
This is the first time he’s asked about me personally and not just about my health.
Progress, I suppose. Not that I want a relationship with the infamous Damon Siska, but if we’re going to be coparents, I’d like to know the man I’m sending my child off to every other weekend.
“It was okay.”
I don’t bother going into the fact that since he showed up at the school, he’s been the only thing people talk about.
If I thought rumors were bad when I was a middle schooler, it’s nothing like now.
But this town and my school community are filled with good people because I haven’t seen anything in the press about it yet, thank God.
Though I have no doubt it’s coming at some point.
“I can’t imagine teaching hormone-crazed pre-teens all day.” He opens the door to the doctor’s office building.
“Thanks.”
When we reach the elevator, he presses the button, and it’s there immediately because most of the offices in the building are probably closed already. We step in, and once we’re in the enclosed space, all I can smell is his cologne.
Did he put that on just to come to the doctor’s appointment?
Maybe he has a hot date after he leaves here.
Ugh, why does that thought bother me so much?
“So…” he says when I don’t respond to his question because I’m busy fixating on who he might be hooking up with tonight.
“Oh, um… the boys are the worst. Always picking on the girls because they think they’re flirting. And the way the girls flirt back as if they like to be treated that way. It’s really sad.”
We reach our floor, and he holds out his hand for me to go first. “It really comes down to the boys and their egos. They don’t want them crushed, so the only way they can get a girl to talk to them is to pick on them.
Don’t hold it against them too much. Eventually, boys like them turn into men like me after they find their confidence. ”
I stop at the door to the doctor’s office and raise my eyebrows, then shift my vision down to my stomach.
He laughs and moves his hand to run it through his hair, but stops since it’s gelled and perfectly in place. Again, the fact he probably put in all this effort because he has a date overtakes all my other thoughts. “Okay, you got me there. But everybody has to start somewhere.”
I reach for the doorknob, but he moves in front of me and tugs at the handle, opening it to let me in first.
“I never realized you were such a gentleman.”
He laughs again, but this time it’s a deep chuckle that radiates into my bones. “We really should play a game of get-to-know-each-other. Then again, if your mom invites me to dinner, I’ll get all the answers I need.”
My face heats, and I swallow hard. “What did she tell you? You were alone with her for, like, two minutes while they weighed me.” I’m going to have to talk to my mom about this.
“She just said that you’re a rule-follower. It did make me wonder how far we’re talking. Like two below the speed limit kinda thing?”
We’re in the office, and I stare blankly at him. “I’m not that bad.”
“Well, I can’t guarantee what that little one will be like. I’m the biggest rule-breaker I know, so we might have a little hellion on our hands.”
I run my hands over my belly as though I’m being protective, and he shakes his head. “Maybe nurture will win out.”
“I have some strong genes,” he says and eyes someone over my shoulder.
I hate the way my heart pitter-patters when he refers to the baby as his when the paternity hasn’t been defined yet. I mean, the baby is his, but he has every right to want to wait until science confirms it.
“Hey, you two,” Dr. Griffin says, coming to the open window at the receptionist area. “Come on, I’ll let you in.”
Damon puts his hand on the small of my back, and goosebumps chase up my spine.
Nope, my body cannot react to his touch.
He’ll be in my life for the rest of time now, and things need to remain uncomplicated.
I can’t strive to have a relationship with a guy like him.
Beyond the obvious complications if things didn’t work out, dating a man who plays professional football can’t be easy.
The women and the press would be like a tsunami to my self-esteem.
Dr. Griffin wears her white coat over a pair of scrubs. “Sorry about my attire, emergency delivery.”
“No problem. I’m just happy you were able to see us after hours,” Damon says.
She walks us to her office instead of an exam room and tells us to take the two seats in front of her desk. Now I’m scared. Maybe something more than just who the father is came back? Do they look at more than paternity in these tests?
When she looks directly at Damon, my stomach churns. This is the moment.
“I got your lawyer’s NDA, Damon,” Dr. Griffin says.
“My entire staff has signed them, and we’ve sent them back over, but I wanted to assure you that I cannot and would not share anything about you two anyway.
My staff knows the rules as well. So please feel safe here, and from this point, we can definitely do before- or after-hours appointments. ”
The perks of being a famous pro athlete.
“Thank you, I appreciate it and hope it wasn’t too much trouble.” Damon glances at me. “The press will be all over this, and I’d rather not put Adeline through that during the pregnancy.”
Dr. Griffin smiles. “That’s very nice of you, and it makes me happy since I get to say congratulations to you.”
My attention focuses on Damon to judge his reaction.
He turns to stare at my stomach, inhales deeply, and smiles. It isn’t a forced smile, but a real, true smile that meets his eyes. And damn it all to hell, that smile brands my heart. Even though he’s only had a short time to soak this information in, he’s happy that he’ll be a father.
She hands the papers to each of us and leans back in her seat, watching our reactions.
Damon’s hand reaches toward me, but he retracts it. “There’s a lot we’ll have to figure out now.”
Ever since he showed up at my school, I’ve wondered where the smart-mouthed, flirtatious version of Damon Siska is, because he’s all business with me.
I’m sure his lawyer will have papers for me to sign.
My stomach tightens, and my heart falters for a beat.
How did I never consider the fact that he’s got more money and resources than me?
Oh god, I need to get my own lawyer.
“Let’s set up your next appointment. I know you didn’t get to see the ultrasound, Damon. Would you like to do another one? There would be a cost involved.”
“Cost is no problem. I’d love to.” Damon sits on the edge of his seat, probably ready to throw out some credit card with no spending limit.
“Are you okay with that, Adeline?” Dr. Griffin asks me. What does she expect me to say now that she’s already put it out there?
“Sure.”
Damon smiles at me.
“Also, I know you discussed with Adeline that she doesn’t want to know the sex of the baby, but if you do want to know, Damon, I can tell you.”
Damon shakes his head. “No. We’ll wait. I like the idea of it being a surprise.” He smiles at me again.
I force one of my own. This is all slipping out of my control. For the past six months, I’ve been the one who decided everything. Now that it’s confirmed he’s the father, I realize he has as much say in things as I do.
We make our next appointment, and Dr. Griffin walks us out of her office, down the vacant hallway, and through the quiet waiting room.
“Thank you,” Damon says, putting out his hand.
“You’re welcome. Congratulations again. I know you two have a lot to figure out, but I have a feeling it will all work out.” She winks in my direction.
I want to shake my head and say I don’t need us to be a family. I mean, we will be our own version of a family, but not one where Damon and I share the same bed.
Although he is skilled in that department. More skilled than anyone else I’ve ever been with. By a mile.
We say goodbye and walk over to the elevator, ride down to the cars, and stand behind his vehicle for a moment.
“You’re okay with the news?” I ask.
He shrugs. “I already figured.”
“Because I’m not the type who sleeps around?
” I doubt he means it as an insult, but I’m taking it as one.
Just because I’m not like that girl who threw herself in his arms wearing nothing but a string bikini and a cover-up that day, who says I couldn’t have found another guy to sleep with me that month?
“You’re taking offense to that?” His eyebrows raise.
“No, but I’m not some single crazy cat lady who knits on Friday nights and cries into her ice cream bowl on Saturdays.”
Okay, slow down, hormones, we’re veering off the track.
He laughs, and it echoes in the mostly empty parking lot. “Damn, I might have to spy on you now to make sure.” I roll my eyes, and his laugh sobers. “I just meant you’re different, and I knew it when we met. You weren’t hooking up with me because of who I was.”
I put a hand on my hip. “Then why did I hook up with you?”
He bites his bottom lip, and electricity shoots between my legs, leaving an enjoyable buzzing sensation behind. Yeah, he was good at that too. Bastard.
“My charm won you over.”
I hate that he’s right. The full sleeve of tattoos on both arms that were on display that day didn’t hurt either. The fact that he was Damon Siska, professional football player, was actually a turn-off, but it was clear how he’d charmed his way into a long line of panties.
“I’m right, aren’t I?” he asks when I don’t say anything.
“I don’t think that ego of yours needs any more petting.”
He covers his heart with his hand as if I’ve shot an arrow at him. “I’m the father of your baby. How can you say such hurtful things?”
“Oh please, you’re going to use that after officially knowing for what? Twenty minutes?”
He stuffs his hands into his coat pockets. I’m also growing colder the longer we stand out here.
“Do you need anything?” he asks, and I shake my head. “Money? I want to pay the doctor’s bills.”
“Nope. I have insurance.”
“The baby can go on my insurance after they’re born.”
“We should probably set a time to talk this stuff over.” I don’t want to do it now. I need to find my own lawyer.
“Definitely. Um… I haven’t told my family yet. I wanted to wait for the test result on the off chance I was wrong about you. My dad… I’m not sure how much you know about me, but my dad will want to get lawyers involved, papers drawn up.” He stares at the ground and rocks back on his feet.
“Of course,” I say, fear-stricken.
He lifts his gaze, and there’s something there I can’t read, but he takes my hands. “Oh, you’re cold. You need to get in the car.”
“I’m fine.” Except for the fact I want to get in my car and drive far, far away from here before he can try to take my baby.
“I will protect you and the baby. I won’t let him bulldoze you into signing anything you don’t want.”
Naively, maybe, I trust his words and smile at him. “Okay,” I say, hoping like hell my trust isn’t thrown back in my face.
“Now, go get in your car. I’ll be in touch. If you need anything before then, let me know.” He opens my car door, and once I’m in, he eyes the seat belt. “Buckle up.”
I nod.
“Good night, Damon.”
“Good night, Adeline.”
He shuts my door and climbs into his fancy G-Wagon.
Could I have been wrong about him? Is Damon Siska really a good guy under the macho playboy act?