Chapter 27
Max
I run both hands through my hair. She hasn’t been with anyone. I know she hasn’t. Deep down, I know she hasn’t. But still, why didn’t she tell me? She had every opportunity.
“Max.” My dad’s voice sounds miles away with the drumming in my ears.
“What if the baby is not mine?” I mumble so low. “It has to be mine,” I whisper, my body already moving on autopilot toward her. When I’m right beside her, she turns to me.
Her eyes are glassy.
“I was only trying to help, Max. I thought it would be best for you to see him sober and healthy. He still has a long road to recovery, and if you don’t want him in your life, honey, it’s understandable. I’m sorry if I crossed the line.”
My breathing picks up. “You didn’t cross the line.” I lift the heavy sweatshirt where she hides the small bump. She doesn’t try to pull it down. She just watches through her eyelashes. The palms of my hands rub the thin fabric of the shirt she’s wearing, shaping its roundness.
“You’re pregnant?”
If she’s already showing, she must be a couple of months. You wouldn’t notice with loose-fitting clothes.
“Yes.” Her voice quivers.
Lifting the shirt to touch bare skin, I feel the warmth of her stomach. I keep my hands there. She keeps watching me through her eyelashes. Neither of us says anything for a moment. The pond is very quiet around us.
The words are out before I can stop them.“The baby is mine…right?”
She flinches, then shoves me back. “God, Max, what the hell is going on with you? You’re being a dick. If you don’t want to be part of—”
I interrupt, reaching for her gorgeous face, breathing her air.
“I’m sorry, amor.” I skim my nose on hers.
She doesn’t push me away. “I didn’t mean to hurt you or snap at you.
I’m overwhelmed right now. For years, the only thing I knew of my father was alcoholism.
At eighteen, when I left the foster system, I went searching for my dad.
I hoped that I’d find him sober and just maybe he’d let me live in his home.
I found him exactly as the day he left me.
” I breathe her in. Her scent calms me. “For the past four years, I’ve been taking care of him.
Cleaning the piss off him, hearing his foul words.
Seeing him…healthy and sober, I don’t know how to handle it or how to talk to him. ”
Sol slowly moves her hands to my arms. She stays quiet.
I continue. “Thank you for helping him.” I inhale the cherry scent of her lip gloss.
“I’ve spent years only wanting one thing in my life.
You. You’re all I’ve ever wanted. Everything built wasn’t for me.
It was for you. I don’t give a shit about money as long as I have you.
It was all to secure our future and build a life with you.
To give you and our kids everything they need.
I’ve dreamt of this moment for so long. I apologize for questioning you and insulting you.
But, baby, I’m gutted you didn’t tell me sooner. ”
“Max.”
“Let me finish, please,” I say softly. A quick peck on her lips. “You packed up and left me. And I understand why. Even if it gutted me.”
She shakes her head at me, stepping back.
“You don’t know shit.” She exhales loudly.
“There is a lot you don’t know because you haven’t made yourself available.
Now is not the time to talk. Not here. When we get back home, I have a lot of words for you.
” She points, her voice stern. “Right now, we need to discharge Hector. He’s staying with me. ”
“No, he’s not. He’s staying with us. You’re coming back home with me.
And don’t give me lip about it. You can shout at me in our bedroom and give me all the words you want, and I will grovel at your feet if needed.
I will do as you wish, but I also have words for you, tesoro.
After we are done shouting and yelling at one another, I’m going to show you how much I’ve missed you, and I’m going to possess your body with the pleasure only I can give you. ”
Her angry, piercing eyes are still visible, but her body shudders at my words, giving off a small sparkle of lust.
“If we need to angry fuck, then so be it. I’m furious you robbed me of air for months because I can’t breathe without you.
I don’t know who I am without you.” Filling the space between us, I add, “Then, when our anger subsides, I’ll make love to you.
I’ll worship the ground you walk on for the rest of our lives for giving me everything I dreamed of.
” I rub her round, small stomach. “I love you.”
She huffs, and her gaze goes from me to the pond filled with ducks and little ducklings following behind. “You make it so hard to be pissed off at you. Especially with that mouth of yours and that face, and I love you too.”
With my thumb, I swipe her cheek, turning her to look at me. “Handsome, sexy face, you mean?”
She rolls her pretty brown eyes. “Yes, but unfortunately, I’m still angry with you.”
I kiss her cheek. “Noted. And I’m still infuriated with you and have a lot of questions.”
“I’m sure you’ll make your infuriation noted when you’re angry fucking me.”
My lips curve. “Most definitely. You’ll feel me so deep inside, your screams will be heard at the flaming gates of hell.”
She snorts.
“I’m positive you’ll rub your pussy aggressively on my handsome face,” I muse.
She picks at her nails. “Of course, how else can I suffocate you? I just hope your poisonous tongue can thrust angrily. It will need to keep up with my aggravated rubs.”
I lick my lips at her sarcasm.
“My sharp tongue works magic, mi amor, you’ll be rocking so hard that you’ll see stars.” I take her hand in mine.
“I hope that’s a promise. I’d love to see the little dipper.”
I crack a smile. “I’ll take you there.”
Dew-dampened blades of grass fold beneath my sneakers with each step, the soft squish-crunch marking our path toward the far corner of the yard where my dad leans in, nodding at a woman with papers in hand.
A small smile appears on her beautiful face.
Twenty minutes on the road, and the only sound is the radio.
After signing papers, they discussed what we need to do to help him with his road to recovery at home.
They asked if we needed a therapy session before we left.
I’m sure they asked because they heard the shouting.
I respectfully declined. I’m not ready for that just yet.
I tap the tips of my fingers on the steering wheel.
It’s going to be a long drive. I can’t ask her the questions I want to know with my dad here.
Like, how far along are you? When did you find out?
Why didn’t you come tell me? My dad knew before me.
That stings. Who else knows? I should have been the first one to know.
Above all, I can’t believe I’m going to be a dad.
I can’t wait for that moment to hold the baby we created.
I reach for her hand, bringing it to my lips and pressing a gentle kiss against her knuckles. When she doesn’t withdraw from my touch, I guide her toward me until she settles onto my lap. She glances at the tattoo on my knuckles, and her eyes widen.
Her fingers trace the letters without pressing down. Sol looks up at me. I keep my eyes on the road. “When?” she asks quietly.
“A while ago,” I say.
Thirty minutes pass, and Sol turns to face my dad. “Hector, tell me how your week was.” I know she’s doing it to break the tension.
“It was good. I met with my therapist, had group meetings, worked out, and hit the bags.”
I raise a brow at that. Is he boxing again? It shows in his physique.
“That’s great, Hector. Have you eaten? We can stop at the next exit. We are getting hungry.”
‘We’ meaning her and the baby. I’m still shocked she is pregnant. This is definitely a birthday I won’t forget.
“They had ordered pizza before you two arrived. I’m not too hungry. You need to eat. When Marabel was pregnant with Max, her cravings would hit at all hours. One in particular is chilaquiles.”
The mention of my mom hits hard. It squeezes my heart. It’s been years since he’s spoken her name. I don’t know how or what Sol did to get him help. It only makes me love her more. I brush my thumb along her soft skin.
She gasps, her hand going to her chest. “What a coincidence, those have been my absolute favorites. I crave those with an egg. I’m sure she passed it on to Max because, considering how I was raised, I hardly had them.
And now, out of the blue, the craving hit.
The baby must have Max’s strong genes.” She lets go of my hand and tugs her sweater off.
“Finally, I can take this off. My armpits were getting sweaty,” she mumbles and leans back in her seat.
Her hand goes back on my thigh for me to take.
My dad laughs.
I glance at the rearview mirror. My father is watching Sol talking with his hands about something, that smile still on his face.
The kind of smile I’d spent nineteen years not seeing.
I look back at the road before he catches me looking.
He said grandchild earlier, and that tells me he wants to be part of our family’s life.
Our baby couldn’t have come at a more perfect time.
It’s just what we all needed—healing. I know this baby will give us just that.
We finally make it to Sol’s place to get her clothes and pick up Daisy. My dad waits while we go gather some of her stuff. “Just get what you need for the week, and then we’ll figure out what to do with the rest. You still have the majority of your stuff at our home.”
She gives me a nod, and when she’s done, I take her luggage and carry it out. Daisy follows behind us.
In less than ten minutes, we arrive at our house. My dad steps out and pulls Sol’s luggage and his own from the truck bed. He stares at the home I’ve worked my ass off to earn. “You have a beautiful home, Maximiliano. I’m very proud.” His voice lands like stepping on broken glass.