Holy Fuck!
“Mike, you don’t say shit like that unless there’s some truth behind it!”
Mike scrunches up his face, turns to look toward the door to make sure no one is coming, then faces me, a serious expression crossing his features. “Look… I’ve been holding this in for all of Aiden’s life,” Mike mutters, and then it’s like his mind drifts off.
“Mike… are you Aiden’s father? His biological father?” I ask, dreading the answer.
Mike’s eyes instantly tear up, and he throws back the rest of his whisky.
Damn!
He doesn’t need to answer me.
I already know by the look in his eyes that it’s the truth.
“He doesn’t know,” Mike defends and looks back at the door, again.
“Fuck,” I exclaim louder than I wanted to.
“You can’t tell him, Chris. It’ll kill him. He’s happy with the way things are. Aiden treats me like I’m his father anyway, so he doesn’t have to know the truth,” Mike begs while rubbing the back of his neck and looking at me intently.
I don’t know what to think.
It’s like I’ve been slapped with a fucking great big brick wall, and all the air has left my lungs.
“Shit, Mike… this is huge. Aiden deserves to know. You know that, right?” I implore.
“No!” His tone is stern. “Callie and I agreed after Niall died that our secret would go to the grave with him.”
“Did Niall know?”
Mike shakes his head.
Fucking hell, this just keeps getting better and better.
“I never meant for anyone to find out. This is exactly why I don’t drink because the truth comes out. Please, you can’t tell him. If Aiden was to find out, it should be from Callie and me. Please, Chris, I don’t normally beg, but I will in this instance. Please don’t tell him—”
“Don’t tell who? What?” Aiden asks as he walks back in with a massive bowl of chicken wings.
I look at Mike, and he’s staring at me while holding his breath. “Don’t tell you about the surprise Mike has for the wedding,” I quickly lie, pulling some shit out of my ass.
Mike instantly exhales while his body slumps. He glances up at Aiden with a look that can only be described as adoration and undeniable love. I know he’s not purposely trying to hide this massive secret from him, and I understand why Mike wants to keep it, but Aiden deserves to know because being a stepfather is majorly different to being your birth father.
“If it’s a group dance or something, count me out,” Aiden slurs, slumping back down on his chair as Logan, Killian, and Daniel walk in.
Mike and I laugh. “No, nothing like that.” Mike relaxes as he nods his head in my direction. I’m assuming in a gesture of thanks for not saying anything.
The tension between Mike and me is palpable, and I know everyone else notices, but they’re too drunk to care. We play poker for another couple of hours until I can’t take it anymore. I’m completely sober and starting to wonder what I should be doing about this whole situation. I think I should leave before I can’t help but blurt it out. I know I need to sleep on it. “Well, guys, I’m done for the night. Mike, happy bacheloring or whatever you’re supposed to say at these things. I’ll catch you all in the morning.” I slap Aiden on the back.
“You’re weak! Goodnight, pansy.” Aiden smirks at me, and I chuckle and shake my head.
“Night, Mike… think about what I said,” I whisper, and he nods.
I walk up the stairs to my room. It’s around four in the morning, but I need to talk to Sarah.
I climb into the bed, and she stirs. “Hey, babe, are you totally sloshed?” she murmurs.
I take in a deep breath and pull her to me. “No, completely stone-cold sober,” I whisper.