Page 83 of Finding Fate

I’m such a tool.

Are you telling me you’re dating the same girl that almost destroyed your future?

I can hear the panic in her tone. “Shedidn’t do anything.”

Baby, I thought we went through this. There are girls out there whose parents won’t put you through that. If he wouldn’t let you date her back then, do you really think he’s going to approve now? Someone shouldn’t have to have a bottomless bank account to be worthy of dating your child. Do you really want that for yourself?

My heart rate kicks into full gear as feet coming down the stairs draws my attention, and as my eyes rise to her circling around the bottom of the staircase to face me, my eyes meet hers. Even with her hair pulled up and activewear on she’s the most beautiful girl I’ve ever seen. I’ve never understood what the hell is wrong with her to be with a guy like me. I’ve always said I dated up with her. She had no experience when I found her. Had she gotten any older I likely wouldn’t have been so lucky. Guys would have been knocking down her door.

“I love her.”

Who is that?Gabby mouths.

I wave her off for now. More important things to worry about. With the phone screen pressed to my ear, I give her a thumbs up briefly before turning it down, asking the question that’s been making me a nervous wreck. She holds her knuckles out to me, making a fist with all fingers except her thumb, which is pointing out. She’s giving nothing away as she makes an invisible wavy line with her hand, staying lateral, not diving up or down. My heart is pounding. “Are you pregnant or not?” I belt out. “You’re making me nervous.” She gives me a thumbs up, the smile already cracking. I smile back at her. “You are. Thank God.”

“You’re going to be a dad?” Mom asks, reminding me I’m on a call. How had I forgotten? My smile falls and I can feel the heat drain from my face.

Gabby notices the change instantly, just staring at me. “Yeah, Mom, Gabby is pregnant. I asked her to marry me on Halloween.”

“Maddox, it’s December. The main reason I texted was to see if you were coming home for Christmas.” She sniffles into the phone. I made her cry.Fuck!“Why wouldn’t you share that with us? Did you think we wouldn’t approve? We just want you to be happy, son. If Gabby is it, then she’s welcome in our family.”

“I’m sorry, Mom.” Gabby drops her shoulders and walks toward me. “Don’t take it personally. I was dealing with some things. Things were hectic around here. Then we had to deal with her dad. I just . . . Look, there’s more, but this I’m not getting into over the phone. Can I talk to Gabby and figure out when we can come and call you back?”

She sighs. “I’d like that. We’d like to get to know her in a way that doesn’t involve putting our son in prison.”

Wait ‘til you find out she gave up your grandson to keep your son out.

“Okay,” I tell her as Gabby gets on stage. I pull her in my lap and place my forehead between her shoulder blades, my hand already snaking up her shirt and under her bra, getting a handful. “I’ll call you later.”

“I love you.”

“I love you too, Mom.” I toss the phone on my drum in front of Gabby. “I’m a horrible son. I made her cry.”

“You are not.” She tries to turn around, but I hold firm. I like her like this. She squirms. “Your dick is pressed between my butt cheeks.”

“That’s not going to make it go away.”

My phone starts vibrating continuously, signaling a call. “Oh, my God. That’s my dad’s number.”

But that will.

She answers it as I pull my hand out of her shirt. “Dad?” I wrap both arms around her waist and pull her close. I like holding her. I always have. “Why?” I lift my head over her mistrusting tone. She twists around to hand me the phone. “He wants to talk to you.”

I let her go and take the phone. She instantly turns around to straddle me as I place it to my ear. “Hello.”

I have a deal for you.

Gabby is staring at me. “I’m listening.”

You want your son, I want my daughter.

I freeze. “You know where he is?”

Gabby’s mouth drops and she tries to grab the phone. I pull away, dodging her attempt.I’ve always known where he is. I placed him. He’s my grandson. Did you really think I’d give him away forever? He even knows who I am.

My heart is racing and I feel dizzy. “You son of a bitch.”

Her eyes are glossing over. “Maddox! What is he saying? Is it about Madden? Tell me!”