Page 92 of Finding Fate
“He’s my dad,” Madden answers, his voice pulling Micah’s attention back.
I can see the questions all over his face as he steps closer to Madden and squats. He’ll never let it show, though. Micah is smart. That’s why he makes so much damn money now. He’ll figure it out on his own without having to ask a single one.
Micah is rougher on the outside, softer on the inside. We’re the opposite of each other. He couldn’t stand to see me pine over Gabby when I lived with him. He’s like a big teddy bear and doesn’t have near the anger I do. I always thought he’d have kids of his own way before I did. “Of course he is. I was just testing how smart you were. You passed with flying colors, my man. Do you know who I am?”
Madden looks up at me. I nod. Micah hasn’t looked away from him. He won’t. “Uncle Micah?”
He smiles. “That’s right, and if anyone asks, I’m your favorite uncle. I bet you just had a birthday. Am I right?”
Madden smiles, nodding big. “It was November. I turned six!”
“That’s a big one.” He returns the excitement. “Luckily for you, I remembered. Do you like presents?”
“Who doesn’t like presents?”
“That’s what I’m saying! Presents are the best. Do you want to go on a treasure hunt for one?”
“Yes!” He tugs on my hand. “Can I, Daddy?”
“Sure, buddy.”
“Thanks!”
Micah stands directly in front of me, our height matching. He keeps his voice low. “While you lived with me?”
I nod. “I suggest you break it to her while we’re treasure hunting in the attic for one of your old toys Mom refuses to get rid of. I knew her hoarding would come in handy one day.”
Maddenwould like that,” I tell him, knowing he’ll catch on.
He steps toward Gabby and hugs her with a smile. “Gabby, it’s been a long time. Glad you’re back in the picture. I don’t have to listen to him whine anymore.”
She smiles, and I can see the tension melt away as she releases him. “It’s good to see you.”
“There’s a part two coming,” I tell him when he glances at me. “Might as well let it all out of the bag. We haven’t told certain people yet,” I hint so that he doesn’t blurt it out with Madden listening. We want to wait before adding more for him to take in. This is his time.
“Mom told me when she called me to come home. I was surprised until she told me who. Your ass probably did it intentionally.”
I grin at Gabby. “Told you.”
He slaps me on the shoulder. “Be prepared to pick up the pieces.” And then he turns and grabs for Madden’s hand, leading him inside. “We’re going treasure hunting.”
Gabby and I follow. The dreaded moment has arrived, and I can’t say that I’m ready for it. No guy wants to break his mama’s heart.
Fifty-Four
Gabby
My mouth is already watering when we walk through the door to the smell of food. I don’t know what it is, but it smells divine. My stomach is growling in response. Maddox said his mom was making this her Christmas family dinner while we’re all here. I wish my nerves would subside. I’m trying not to put too much thought into the fact that I now have a little boy with me and haven’t bought the first gift for him and we’re already well into December. It was a little heartbreaking to have to ask my grandmother what traditions my son is used to. Those are things a mom should know. It felt backward.
The timer on the oven starts beeping. Being in his house gives me a sense of déjà vu. “That’s the ham,” Maddox’s mom calls out. “Can you get it out? I’m finishing Maddox’s cheesecake.”
I grab the back of his shirt and hide behind him as we near the kitchen entrance. I’m such a coward. I’ll own it. I’ve always wanted his mom to like me. “Did you say cheesecake?” Maddox asks excitedly when he stops. It’s the cutest thing I’ve ever heard. I need to learn how to make cheesecake. “Is that strawberry topping in your hand?”
“Hey, sweetie,” she responds sweetly, and I can’t help but wonder what that’s like. I haven’t seen my mom since I was little. “I hope you’re hungry. We have a lot of food that doesn’t need to sit in my refrigerator. Where is Gabby?”
Before I can keep track of his movements, Maddox jerks away, making me feel exposed. I peek through one eye to his smile now facing me, forcing me to open my eyes all the way. “Hello,” I say awkwardly to everyone in the now silent room. Last time I met them it wasn’t on the best of terms, so I don’t know whether to formally introduce myself as a means to start fresh or just pretend I’ve been here all along.
Maddox’s dad has a pair of reading glasses sitting at the halfway point on the bridge of his nose and a clean carving knife in his hand as he stands over a ham where he placed it on the stovetop, but he’s looking my way. He’s on the stockier side, but clearly, he’s active, because he isn’t necessarily overweight. If he has grays you can’t see them because his hair is the same darker blond that both of his sons have, but they inherited the coarser texture from their mom, whose hair is more in the golden hues of blonde in comparison to their darker, but much thicker than their dad’s fine.