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“After everything, he deserves to hear it first. I wouldn’t want it any other way,” Lucian responds in understanding, then heads over to where Kiran is playing.
Once he’s in front of the playmat, Lucian’s eyes jump to mine, probably recognizing Kiran’s distinct eye coloring. I nod briefly and head over to where they are huddled.
Frankie approaches us a few moments later with an armful of ingredients for mimosas. “Hey, Em,” she says, a bit of hesitancy in her tone. I get it, I truly do. This is their first time seeing me, so I'm sure it’s a bit of a shock. The others have had a few days to digest it.
After putting the champagne down, she throws one of her arms over my shoulder. “Lottie threatened me not to ask you a shit-ton of questions, and have you seen her when she’s serious? I’m not fucking with her, so I’ll leave it alone…for now. But I’m still pissed as hell for what you put us through. I’m glad you’re okay, and to see your face…and this adorable little man... Oh my goodness.” Her voice morphs into a coo when her eyes land on Lucian and Kiran on the floor. She proceeds to squat down and meet my baby boy with a shining smile on her face.
Lottie joins me as I watch Lucian and Frankie play with him. The smiles on all their faces, and the belly laughs coming from Kiran, fill my soul with a mix of happiness and regret. I wish he had this all along.
“One way or another, it’s all going to be okay,” she whispers when she notices me wiping away a stray tear, and I can only nod to keep from sobbing.
Some of my favorite people in the world are standing right here, showering my son with the love and attention he deserves. They can hate me all they want, and I will gladly live with that, as long as they never stop loving him.
Six
Anxiety rolls over me in waves as I pull onto the long road leading from my place to Lottie and Greyson’s house. I barely slept last night, knowing Emerson and Kiranwere only a few acres away.
I look back at my black barn-style home and can’t help but wonder if Lottie told her this was my place when they passed it yesterday. Lottie sold me a few of the acres she inherited after I signed my contract with the UFC. For now, I live in the fully equipped two-bedroom garage I designed on the property. I haven’t needed more than that since it's just me—and occasionally Ford when he’s looking for a break from partying with his new roommate, Ace. I also wanted to get my mom a new place before I built my own. With me moving out, and Colton being in Florida for college, my mom didn’t want something big, so we found her a townhouse a couple of blocks from Lights Out in Richmond Hills.
My last fight in Sin City really put my name on the map, and before I left Charlotte yesterday, Cliff told me there was chatter about me getting a main event fight in Vegas against the standing Welterweight Champion. With that would come big money and hopefully my dream home.
I can’t help but envision Emerson and Kiran at the thought.
We should have the results back from the DNA test within the next few days. Even though I’m one hundred percent sure what those results will say, there is so much uncertainty about everything else.
Ford is getting off his bike when I pull up beside him. He gives me a look of unease. “How you doing, brother?”
“Ask me in about an hour,” I grunt, my stomach in knots.
“How we playing this? Should I be a dick? Should I be nice?” Ford asks, and I let out a nervous laugh.
“Just be you, Pretty Boy. I’m sure between me and Greyson, she’ll have enough people being assholes to her.” I’m still so fucking pissed and hurt, but the possibility of her feeling unwelcomed and leaving again is just as suffocating.Especially with Kiran.
We head around to the backyard where all the chatter is coming from. My eyes immediately find Emerson. She is sitting on one of the lounge chairs around the pool, laughing at something Frankie is saying to her. Lola Daniels, a friend of Frankie’s and Lottie's, sits on the other side of her with her mouth wide open at whatever dramatic story is being told.
I want to be pissed that she seems to be so easily welcomed back into the fold after the pain she caused us all, but the sight of her holding Kiran in her arms under a large beach towel floods me with a whole different type of emotion. And it takes everything in me not to go over to him. The need to look into his green eyes, the ones that look just like mine, is overwhelming.
Emerson must feel my gaze on her because she looks my way, causing Frankie to follow her line of vision.
“There’s the champ. Congrats on another win, buddy,” she says, standing up and heading in our direction. My eyes flash back to Emerson’s at Frankie’s use of the nickname she used to call me.
“What’s up, Frank? Where’s Lucian?” I ask as she comes in for a hug.
“We brought breakfast over this morning, but he had plans with Carrie’s family today.”
"Ahh, yeah, boyfriend responsibilities and shit,” I say, trying to avoid her questioning eyes, but she lingers and whispers, “You good?”
Nodding at her, she moves to embrace Ford. Even though I’m the furthest thing from good, and I’m sure as hell everyone here knows it.
Lottie comes out of her patio door, carrying chips and dip. “Hey, boys, perfect timing. G is just about to fire up the grill.”
I make my way over to their outdoor cooking area, breaking the magnetic barrier trying to pull me over to the lounge chairshesits on.
Greyson mutters something as he sets down the tray of uncooked burgers beside me.
“Huh?” My head snaps to him, brow furrowed.
“This is fucking weird for me, man.” Greyson, who has a hard enough time being nice to people, grunts in my direction. Then he runs his hand over his face. “Shit, dude. I’m a selfish fuck. How you holding up?”
