“Our next son is going to be named after me, Katie.”
“Our next son? Don’t you think you need to slow down here? We’re not together, Jake,” I ask, ignoring how pleasure and fear war inside of me.
“I think you need to tell Lennon who he is. Does he even realize what it means that his last name is Ryan?”
“No. He doesn’t understand that yet. I figure now that he’s in school full-time it will. It didn’t matter so much with kindergarten because those were only half days and three days a week. Still, kids are smart. I know that’s going to change.”
“Which is exactly why you need to tell him,” Jake argues, clearly upset.
“I plan on telling him, Jake. I always have.”
“I mean today, Katie.”
“I plan on telling him soon. It’s just not a topic that I want to rush into. I want to make sure that when we do it, it’s done in a way that won’t hurt our son.”
Jake lets out a breath and shakes his head. “Not telling him the truth is already hurting our son, honey. I get that you don’t trust me, but you’re going to have to come to terms with the past and take the leap into the future because I’m not letting you go and I’m not leaving.”
“And you need to slow down. I mean, you basically told Lennon that you’re moving in here. We haven’t even discussed any of this. You’re just throwing too much at me all at once, Jake.”
“Katie, maybe you haven’t been paying attention, but I have moved in. I live here. I have since you got home from the accident.”
“Jake—”
“All my stuff is here, my vehicle is in the garage, and my horse is out in the barn. My horse trailer and all my equipment are in the old shed.”
“They are?” I ask, my heart thudding against my chest.
“Yeah, sunshine and as soon as I do repairs to that ancient barn out front, I’ll be bringing my other horses here.”
“You’re what?”
“Stop it, Katie. It’s time you finally come to terms with the fact that I’m not leaving. In fact, as soon as you are able to take the trip, we’re going to my apartment and packing everything up and bringing it here.”
“Jake, you can’t just move in somewhere you’re not invited,” I huff, my voice full of panic and fear.
“You need to stop denying me and challenging everything I say before I spank your ass. I mean, I’d enjoy it, but I don’t think you’re in the shape for it just now.”
“So, basically, you’re just telling me you’re moving in with me and I don’t get a say in it?” I demand, not quite believing what I’m hearing.
“Of course, you do.”
“I do?”
“Yeah, sweetheart. You get to decide if we’re going to keep my furniture or keep using yours.”
“Jake—”
“Well, all except my bed. It’s a king size and yours is way too small.”
“Small? I have a queen size bed.”
“Exactly. It’s small.”
He’s annoying me and I’m more than likely in shock. That can be the only reason I’m not throwing him out of the house. As proof, all I can think to say is the one thing that is bothering me most about his bed.
“I’m not sleeping in a bed where other women have been, Jake. It’s not happening.”
“Then you will understand why I’m not sleeping in a bed my brother has been in,” he grumbles.