“You came.” It comes out as a statement and question. I can’t believe she’s here. I was so sure I would go home tonight with Charleigh no longer in my life.
“I did.” She pulls me to her, wrapping her arms around my back. We fit together perfectly, and I bask in this moment. Happy to know that she believes in me. Believes in us.
I lean back just far enough for our eyes to meet. “So, are we okay?”
“I did a lot of thinking these past couple of days. And most of the things are forgivable. So, yeah we’re good.” I know there’s a but coming, and I can’t even find it in myself to care. “But, you need to deal with your parents.”
“That’s on my agenda for tomorrow.”
“Agenda? Look at you being all grownup, and adulting.”
“I have a kid I have to take care of, I figured it was time.”
I pull her back to me, ducking down to capture her lips with my own. I kiss her soft and sweet. Not wanting it to end but pulling away to keep it PG-13 in here. Weareat my ex-girlfriend’s house, and I don’t want to make things any weirder than they already are.
“Come on, I want to introduce you to everyone.” I pull her to the door leading to the backyard.
“Maybe I should open it since you seem to have problems.”
“Smart ass. I’m perfectly capable of opening the damn door.” The door glides to the side easily this time. I look over at her and smirk, just in time to see her eyes roll.
Everyone is gathered around the fire trying to look like they aren’t busting at the seams to meet my girl. The huge grins on their faces gives away their excitement. Calling her my girl makes me feel proud. Not in any sort of way that means I own, because she owns me completely. Mind, heart, and soul.
“Everyone, this is Charleigh.”
Some call out “hi,” while others wave enthusiastically. They act like they’ve never met someone new before. I would call them dorks if it wasn’t so funny. Everyone around this fire, they are my family. Even Reaf, as much as it pains me to say it. More so than my parents have ever been.
Tonya is looking at me with bright, shiny eyes, and a smile so wide her face may actually crack. I nod sideways to her, signaling for her and Reaf to join us. Making all the baby noises I want, until Tonya gets over here, I unbuckle Layla from the bouncy seat.
Charleigh hasn’t left my side. Her arms are wrapped around her stomach, and I know she’s nervous. This is a lot to throw at her at once, but if she’s going to be a part of my life, she may as well get used to it. With Layla in one arm, I pull Charleigh closer. “This is Layla, my daughter.”
She gasps. “She is precious. Hi, Layla, we are going to have so much fun, and give your daddy a run for his money.” Not one ounce of baby talk came out of her mouth. I think her and Tonya will get along just fine.
With Charleigh’s hand in mine we walk to meet my baby mama and fiancé. But stop in our tracks when we hear sirens come down the street. That’s never a good thing. Even worse when the flashing lights stop in front of Tonya’s house.
Mr. Burgess doesn’t hesitate to find out what’s going on. He bypasses the back door and exits through the gate on the side of the house. I pass Layla over to Charleigh and follow Mr. Burgess to see what’s happening.
“What the hell is going on here?” He bellows.
“Sir,” an officer replies. “This truck has been reported stolen.” He’s pointing at my truck. Who in the hell would report it stolen?
Surely, they wouldn’t stoop so low as to get the police involved in our little feud. As soon as the thought crosses my mind their shiny black Mercedes stops in front of Tonya’s house. This is beyond ridiculous.
“Officer, this is my truck.” His brows furrow. “And those,” I point behind him, “are my parents.”
“I don’t have time for this bullshit,” the officer mumbles under his breath.
Me too, I think. I feel Charleigh come to stand beside me, but she’s not alone. Marshall stands on the other side of her. Tonya and Reaf are to my right. I look back to the gate and can see Mrs. Burgess’s silhouette holding Layla. I’m glad she has my daughter in the back. I don’t want my parents to have even a tiny glance of her. They don’t deserve it.
“What is wrong with you two?” I march right up to them, no longer worried about disappointing them.
“Do not speak to us that way,” my father commands. “You wouldn’t come home so we had to take matters into our own hands.” He looks around in disgust. “Imagine my surprise to find that you here.”
“I thought we told you to handle this whole baby situation.” She sneers at Tonya and notices Charleigh. “Oh, that’s rich, the girl you impregnated and the girl I caught in your bedroom in the same place. Don’t you have any standards, Jake?”
Shocked gasps echo behind me. I’m done with their blatant disregard for anyone’s feelings. This ends now. “I am not going to stop seeing my daughter. You are so worried about appearances, but yet you suggested paying Tonya off and me signing over my rights. It will be a cold day in hell when that happens.” Mom tries to argue. “No, it’s time you listen to me. That little girl over there is one of the best things that has happened to me. Tonya was gracious enough to give me time to get my head out of my ass and be a part of our daughter’s life.
“And that girl over there,” I point toward Charleigh. “Is my girlfriend. She is also one of the best things in my life. She makes me happy. She makes me want to be a better man.”