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I thought it would be weird coming to Tanner and Rachel’s house for Ruby’s six-month birthday party, seeing as I don’tknow any of them that well. But they’ve all been amazingly welcoming. Especially Maddy, who I was dreading seeing after that night at the restaurant two weeks ago. But she sought me out the minute Drew and I arrived and pulled me into a hug telling me she doesn’t blame me for any of it and that she’s over the moon about the babies and being an auntie.
She didn’t mentioned Henry, who I now know they all call Hank.
She also didn’t mention their mum, Violet.
But I know that Maddy shredded all Henry’s shirts after that night. Drew said Henry thought Violet did it until Maddy screamed at him that she wanted to cut his balls off for how he’s been behaving. Apparently, she’s barely spoken to him since.
Henry’s still at the house, sleeping in the guest room. Drew sounded pretty disgusted by it all. Apparently he’s cheated on their mum numerous times, and she always forgives him after a week or two. But I don’t know if that’ll happen this time. It won’t if Drew and Maddy have a say in it.
I don’t know how I feel about it all. But one small positive is that Henry hasn’t attempted to contact me again after that awful night. It’s only a matter of time. But I’m enjoying the reprieve while it lasts.
“Here. Get some practice in,” Tanner says, seconds before dumping baby Ruby into my arms.
“Oh, sure.” I smile at her rosy little cheeks as she gurgles happily, staring at me with giant eyes. She fists my hair and then pulls.
“Killer handshake there, Missy,” Drew coos as he expertly releases her grip. “You’ll drive a harder business deal than your dad.”
Tanner grins over at us proudly as he helps Rachel with the food they’re plating up. “That’s my girl.”
I smile back at Ruby now that my hair’s been extracted, and she looks at me with her lips pursed. Then she grunts. A second later, a vibration against my arms accompanied by the wettest sounding fart fills the kitchen.
“Oh my god.” I laugh. “That’s such a big sound for such a litt—”
She grunts again, her little round face flushing as she fills her nappy without an ounce of self-consciousness. When she finishes, she grins at me, her two bottom teeth poking from her gums.
“You literally just pooped for England and had a fresh nappy,” Tanner mutters as he walks over, holding his arms out.
“We got it.” Drew plucks Ruby from my arms and holds her up in front of him, pretending to sniff her. “Eww, you really do take after your daddy, stinker.”
Ruby gurgles in delight and kicks her legs.
“Be quick, food’s almost ready,” Rachel says as Drew holds Ruby in one arm and gestures for me to follow him from the room.
“Thought you might like a minute away from that lot,” he says as we head upstairs and into Ruby’s nursery.
“Are you kidding? They’re all great. I can’t believe they’re so chilled about all of this.”
I follow him over to the changing table he’s laid Ruby on.
“They’ve seen it all. Believe me.” He chuckles. “Our babies’ story is nothing in comparison. You know Dax was almost murdered, right? Twice?”
Drew strips Ruby out of her romper like a pro, then undoes the poppers of the vest underneath. The thick veins in his corded forearms pop as he removes the soiled nappy and bags it without hesitation and then reaches for a pack of baby wipes.
“I worked on some of his case.”
“I know. He said you were awesome. I wanted to reach out to you back then. But you know… restraining order.” He pops a brow with a smirk.
“That was a joke.” I laugh as he cleans Ruby up and then reaches for a clean nappy, flicking it open with one hand easily as he looks at me.
I don’t know why that move is so sexy, but it is.
He slides the nappy under her and secures it around her tummy. My stomach clenches as I look up at his dark profile. His eyes are crinkling at the corners as he smiles at Ruby, talking to her and rubbing her feet.
“I wish you had. Then things could be different,” I whisper.
Drew turns, his blue eyes capturing mine. “Don’t.”
He’s having a much easier time coping with the fact I’m having his father’s baby than I am. Sometimes, I think he’s in denial. But he doesn’t avoid the subject like I’d expect him to if that were the case.
