A package rested on the counter unopened. It was addressed to the bar in Remi’s name. The return address was unknown to me except for Ryder’s name. I bristled with anger, wanting to toss it out despite mail tampering being a federal offense.
“You plan on opening that box up, sweet girl?” I tipped my head to the brown package, and she shook her head no.
“Not right now.” She nodded to Ethan’s sleeping form nestled against her. She kissed his head, and I felt like an asshole pushing the issue.
“It won’t bite. It’s just a box and there’s nothing that says you have to keep whatever is inside it.”
“I know. I just.” She looked up at the ceiling, and I wondered what the hell was so interesting up there. I snuck a peek and found nothing except a water spot I should sand and repaint on my next day off.
“Hey, it’s like a Band-Aid.” I got up from the table and brought the box over. Maybe I was the curious one and maybe I should have left it alone, but I couldn’t. I set it down in front of her, and she handed Ethan over for me to hold. She got up and grabbed the scissors to open it. The tape caught but she managed to pry the box open.
I waited for her to say something or take something out of the box. “Of course.” Muttering, she reached in and pulled out a card, then slipped the paper stock from a pale blue envelope. I watched her read the card and place it on the table, hands shaking.
“Remington?” I probed.
She shook her head, hands braced on the table. She excused herself and left the room. My eyes followed her down the hall until she was out of sight and I heard her shut the bathroom door quietly.
“Hmm. I wonder what your deadbeat DNA sent,” I grumbled low. I wasn’t trying to trash talk him, but sometimes I couldn’t help it.
Ethan stirred, opening his eyes, which looked so much more like his mother’s every day. He shoved a fist inside his mouth and sucked. I bet he was hungry, and I would get him a bottle once I figured out the mystery of this gift. Cradling him close, I pulled the box over and looked inside. Everything was a replica of the pro-football team Ryder West played for. I moved things around, finding onesies, outfits, mini cleats, and a stuffed football. These were things that an active father in his kid’s life could give him, but this man was a stranger at best. I bet he had some perky PA pick this shit out.
Anger slowly boiled under my skin. Ryder was completely selfish in sending this to Remi. Damn punk made a lot of money, and all he sent was fan shit to remind her that he was nothing more than a biological donor. The card was next on my list. I picked it up and flipped it over to read. My stomach dropped, and while I wanted to comfort her, I knew it wouldn’t be welcome right now. The fucker couldn’t be bothered to contact her or show up?
I heard it was a boy. Best Wishes—Ryder
“Sorry, kid, but I think your dad is an idiot.” Ethan pumped his little body, happy and smiling, making me think he was in total agreement. He was, after all, a smart kid like his mother. The books said that was probably gas, but I took it as a bonding moment, and his first smile he saved just for me. He cooed and I kissed his forehead, wondering what to do with this stuff that Remi could do without seeing. Anything related to that jock asshole upset her, and I hated seeing my girl upset. Fuck, I’d buy her anything she needed if she asked, which I knew she would never do. “You know, kid, I think our house likes hockey from now on. How do you feel about the Rangers?” I swore he gurgled in agreement, and I laid him in his bouncer seat, then strapped him in so I could take this crap out to the garage.
“Sorry about that.” Remi came rushing back to the kitchen as I was coming out to get her, and we bumped into each other. Her soft body nearly bouncing back as I caught her arms to steady her. I pulled her in for a hug, relishing the contact.
“It’s okay. I put the box in the garage.”
“Um, thanks.” Shaking, she pulled back and reluctantly I let her go to Ethan. That kid was the best cockblocker in the world.
“Why don’t you go out tonight. Maybe call the girls, do something fun.”
Remi swayed back and forth with Ethan. She heard me but didn’t respond right away. I waited for her to work out the details. Things like me watching him on my own, which I’d done in short spurts when she was in the shower or fell asleep on the sofa. I’d carried her to bed on more than one uncomfortable occasion, and I’d continue to do it if it meant I got to hold her.
She faced me with that uncertain look. “Yeah? That would be okay?” I wanted to gobble her up, absorb her into me and take away all the troubles that worried her, if only she’d let me.
“I would be happy to have guy time with this little man.” And I’d call in all my reinforcements to make her feel reassured that we’d be fine for a few hours while she decompressed.
“You are the most…wonderful man I know. Thank you.” Remington padded past me, patting my chest. I puffed up, feeling a bit like Superman under her touch. I wanted to be more than wonderful; I wanted to be the only one.
“Dude, did you just smell little man’s butt?” Andy looked at me like I was crazy. I invited the guys over for steaks and beers. Not too many, just enough to relax. I had to stay sober watching Ethan and didn’t want to screw up. Remi left a little bit ago to hang out with the girls, who were taking her for manicures, pedicures, margarita cures, and whatever else girls did together. I wanted her to come home to a happy baby, happy house, and as little stress as possible.
So that meant the guys came over, interrupting our manly bonding time. Obviously they were lost without their other halves. The bright spot for me was that Damien Hart was missing from the group. Even I had my limitations of how nice I could be to that guy in my own home.
“Um…yeah. That’s what Remi does to see if he shit himself.” I shrugged and thanked God that he was all clear. The smells that came out of this tiny human were amazingly gross. Ethan made gurgling noises and kicked his legs out like he was ready to run. He was an active baby, and I was grateful he felt comfortable with me while his momma was out. I snuggled his little body close to my chest and kissed the top of his head while the guys looked away uncomfortably. I didn’t give a fuck. My chest tightened to see him smile and that’s all I needed.
“What?” I asked, looking around at the lot of them sipping beers and flipping through channels. Andy shrugged and Hunter smirked, shaking his head as he came over to me.
He grabbed my shoulder and said, “It’s nothing, man. I hope when Taylor Jane and I have kids that they’re as easy as this guy. You’re good for each other, despite what the daddies over there have to say.” Hunter thumbed back to Andy and David, who looked grumpy and watchful.
“Seriously, guys?” I felt incredulous over their scrutiny.
David crossed his leg onto his knee, settling in. “Well, when you frantically text us both and say, just go with it, and little Red calls me frantic about a building renovation that was a good two years away in our budget, I have to question what the heck is going on.”
“I paid for the renovations to her apartment, didn’t I?” And that was a pretty penny coming out of my overtime shifts.