Page 70 of Love Gamble
“That’s kind of depressing.”
“Kind of like this music,” he comments.
I ignore it. “You don’t have any tattoos?”
He shakes his head. “Nope, too much of a commitment.”
“I see.”
“So do you want to keep discussing everything except Damon and his new baby mama?” he asks, studying me.
“Yes. Who braids your hair?” I deflect once more.
He laughs. “I have a lady.”
“Do you, now?”
“Just for my hair, yes, I do,” he replies, eyes going back to the TV screen, whereShamelessis playing.
Blaze walks in and sits down next to me. “What’s with the pornstache?” I ask.
Leif laughs, probably thrilled that it’s no longer him getting grilled.
Blaze stokes the hairy caterpillar in question. It makes him look like he’s contemplating life. “Believe it or not, women like it. And more importantly, I like it.”
“I like your self-confidence.”
“I like your red hair,” he replies, reaching out and touching a curly strand. “There’s a lot of it.”
“Indeed. You guys are all right, you know that? I didn’t know what it would be like having new randoms around here, but I’m quite enjoying it,” I say, smiling as I reach for my phone, seeing if Damon had messaged me again.
Bella joins us with some snacks, and I know she’s missing my brother while he’s away torturing my other brother. Wow, there’s a sentence I never thought I’d be saying. “Thank you,” I say, grabbing a handful of popcorn.
“Of course,” she replies, snuggling in next to me.
Julianna pops her head around the corner. “Damon’s here.”
I share a look with Bella. He said he was going to give me time. It’s been two days.
Blaze laughs and slides as far away from me as he can without falling off the couch. “We’re an impatient type of male.”
“Clearly,” I mutter, getting up so the whole room doesn’t hear whatever Damon is about to say to me.
And there he is, walking in with Romeo, his gray eyes like angry clouds, going straight to me.
“Hey,” he says, coming up to me, while Romeo keeps on walking. “I know I said I’d give you time, but I’m going crazy just sitting at home thinking of you being here upset and angry at me.”
I smile sadly and go closer to him, resting my cheek on his chest, while his strong arms come around me. “I’m glad you came,” I admit, sighing. I know that’s probably giving him mixed signals, but now that he’s here I feel a bit better. We go into my room for some privacy and end up snuggled together on the bed.
“Whatever happens, I don’t want it to break us up,” he says, stroking my back. “And I know that’s easier for me to say than you, because it’s me needing the support and you who is going to have to deal with all the shit that comes with this situation. But I can’t lose you. I only just got you.”
He’s right, itwillbe me having to compromise and be put in a less-than-ideal situation.
But it is what it is. I have two options. I either walk away, or I agree to stay and whatever happens, I make it work for him, and support him through it all.
If I do the former, I could have major regrets. I’d miss him so much, and I’d have to watch him move on with his life. And the baby might not even be his. With the latter, it’s not going to be an easy ride. He could potentially have to co-parent with Melinda and be tied to her for the rest of his life, and I wouldn’t be giving him his firstborn child, which is kind of a hard pill to swallow if I’m being completely honest. Even if I’m unsure whether I want children in the first place, which makes the whole thing even more confusing.
But I think I’ve always known what I’m going to do.