not going to dictate my life. I plan to be a good mom, so you don’t have to worry yourself with any of it. I’ll let you know when the doctor’s appointments are and you can decide if you want to be there or not.”
“Sim—”
I hit the red circle on my phone before he can argue and turn it off completely when he tries to call back.
It’s too much to process. I knew there was a fifty-fifty chance of Jinx being the dad, and hope doesn’t make things come true, but I’m feeling a monumental loss with the news. I don’t think I deserve to feel like I’ve been cheated, but that doesn’t stop the emotion from taking over until I fall into my bed and pray that I wake up with different results.
Either way, the baby has good genes. The two men involved are amazing men, and even though I wish the results were opposite of what they are, I know everything will be okay.
At least that’s my hope as my eyes drift closed.
***
“Simone?”
I smile, turning over, still half asleep.
A tender finger brushes down my cheek, and I’m so happy that Rocker came back. We have a million things to discuss. The paternity results don’t have to end whatever was building between us. The guys are best friends. We can figure out a way to make this work.
Only it isn’t Rocker grinning down at me when my eyes flutter open.
“Jinx?” I sit up, lean on my elbows and look at him.
“You don’t seem very excited to see me. Wishing I was someone else?”
“Just shocked that you’re here.”
“You hung up on me.”
“I said all I needed to say.”
“Not even close.”
He’s speaking to me, but his eyes never leave my midsection. Is he in shock? Annoyed? Upset?
There’s no way to really tell with this guy, but I don’t know if I’m able to muster the courage to ask all of those questions, and what does that say about our future as parents? If I can’t open my mouth out of fear, then where does that leave us?
I’m not scared of him or his emotional reaction. He’s not Jeremy, not even close. He won’t get angry and yell. He won’t hit me or try to manipulate me, but he could walk out and leave.
That’s already happened once today, and I’m not strong enough to watch it happen again.
“Your eyes tell me that you have questions.” I look up from the bruise on his jaw to find him looking at me. “I have several questions as well.”
“Who hit you?” This seems like the simplest one right now.
“Rocker.”
“Why did he hit you?”
“He wasn’t very happy that I got distracted and left you alone last night.”
Mirth fills his eyes, and even though I guessed what he was doing last night, his reaction confirms it.
“Does that upset you?”
“Why should it?” I answer honestly.
“It doesn’t bother you that I’m sleeping with other women?”
“Someone needs to do you, and it won’t be me.” I shrug.
“I wish your man understood that.”
“He’s not my man,” I argue as I roll to the side and climb off the bed.
Jinx remains seated on the side of my bed, but I feel his gaze follow me across the room.
“Are you disappointed with the results?”
I knew it wouldn’t take long before we ended up delving into the heavy stuff.
I busy my hands, straightening the things on the top of my dresser, studiously avoiding his gaze in the mirror. I won’t lie to him, and at this point, I don’t even want to sugarcoat anything either. We’re fixing to embark on one of the biggest journeys of our lives and starting with lies and half-truths won’t do either of us any favors.
“He left when he found out he wasn’t the dad.”
“And how did that make you feel?”
I want to spin around and glare at him. This isn’t a counseling session, but he’s quickly making it feel like one.
“I didn’t want him to leave.”
“Because you wanted him to be the father?”
A long silence fills the space between us, but I know he isn’t going to give up on the topic.
“A different result would’ve probably been better.”
I cringe because that doesn’t sound as diplomatic out loud as it did in my head.
“Are you upset with the results?” I ask, turning it back on him.
“No.” His answer is succinct, coming out of his mouth without hesitation. “But it concerns me that you may not be happy. I’m going to be a good dad.”