“You won’t be thinking that in a few years, little man,” his dad assures him.
Noah shrugs and falls quiet as our pizza and fries arrive. I’m so grateful that he has adjusted so well to living here. Arcola isn’t LA. It’s not as fast-paced or interesting, and I was worried Noah would hate it. But he’s made friends and as far as I can tell, no one is giving him a hard time.
“Pass the ketchup?” Michael says, pointing at the bottle beside me.
I’m just about to do so when someone walks into the restaurant. I freeze as Matthew’s eyes meet mine. He smiles and walks toward our table, and Michael looks up just as he reaches us.
I haven’t seen Matthew in about a month, since he’s been in Hawaii for his honeymoon. He’s a little tanned and his hair is shorter, but that’s all that has really changed. There’s a calm expression on his face as he looks at me.
“I thought that was your car parked outside,” he says to his brother. “What are you doing here? Is this a date?” he drawls before his eyes fall on Noah. “Whose kid is that?”
I stare at him. “Why would you assume this is a date?”
“What are you doing here?” Michael asks at the same time.
CHAPTER13
MICHAEL
If there’s anything these past few days have taught me, it’s the inevitability of life. You can never tell what’s going to happen next. One minute, you’re planning your next business takeover, the next, you’re planning a party for a kid you just met.
Christine thought she could continue living life without telling me that I had a son. Then, she moved here and now everything is out in the open.
No amount of planning or avoidance could have prevented any of this. Things happen, and when they happen, they happen for a reason.
That’s what’s happening to me right now. I knew my brother was going to find out about Noah and Christine eventually. I already practiced how I would talk to him and explain everything, and I had braced myself for his reaction. But I never thought it would happen like this.
He wasn’t supposed to find out this way.
Someone is most definitely punishing me.
“You’re supposed to be on your honeymoon,” I say, staring at my brother in shock.
He shrugs, seemingly unbothered and calm. Meanwhile, my heart is pounding in my chest and Christine is practically catatonic in front of me.
I get to my feet. “Listen, Matt, we need to leave,” I tell my brother, placing my hand on his shoulder. His eyes narrow in my direction.
“Not happening, big bro. I asked two questions,” he starts, gesturing from me to Christine. “First off, is this a date? Second, whose kid is that?”
I look at Christine. She’s not looking at me but down at the table as she kneads her forehead with her fingers.
My heart actually drops. Matthew’s eyes widen to the size of golf balls.
“Christine, take Noah and leave, please. You can take my car,” I tell her, tossing her the keys to my BMW.
She catches them and nods.
“Whoa, wait,” Matthew says, stopping her as she grabs her purse.
“Hey, I’m really confused here. What’s going on? Are you two dating now?” He looks back at me.
“I’ll explain everything, Matt. I promise. Christine, go,” I say without looking at her.
I maintain eye contact with Matthew, whose eyes are as confused as ever. I hear Christine and Noah get to their feet and finally look at them. Christine looks all too happy to leave me here to deal with this situation. She’s not even hiding how eager she is.
Coward.
Noah tugs my jeans.