When I got back knocked up? I gave him a funny face, pushing down that rising anger at the fact he didn’t know what I’d done after I got back from Paris. Because of our lack of communication. “I went back to the retirement home and worked the front desk. I was there until Mo came.”
And he hadn’t been around.
I changed the subject before he asked anything else about that time and pissed me off in the process. “Anyway, I know you’ve already seen the other building, but let me show you where everything is in case you want to work out there. It’s a little quieter and more private, and there’s more space for certain exercises,” I told him moving to open the door out, but his long arm beat me to it.
That big, muscular bicep was inches from my head as he swung the door wide, and I ignored how close the front of him got to my back as he did it. Just as I was about to rush ahead to open the next door so that he wouldn’t, I changed my mind. Fuck it. What did I have to prove? He could open the door if he wanted to. And if I was going to like it, it was only because all these rude asses I spent time with hardly ever did.
Probably because they knew I could do it my own damn self.
I led him in, feeling the heat from his body directly behind me as I showed him—like he couldn’t see—the section to the right covered in high-quality fake turf. “There are tractor tires down on the far end, if you can see. In the shelves all the way on the wall over there are ropes and different things that you can use.”
The thought barely entered my mind that if he worked out here, I would see him more.
Oh well.
“But you have access to everything. The only time this part is used is usually really early in the morning or after five when everyone is off. But there aren’t that many people who have the middle membership that gives them access to this building, so you’ll be left alone most of the time,” I let him know. I hooked my thumb behind me. “I’ll be in the office usually if you need me. I doubt anyone will give you a hard time, but if they do, let me know.”
His eyebrows furrowed. “You reckon someone will say something?”
I mean, I guessed he probably hadn’t had anyone give him a hard time since he’d hit his growth spurt. At least no sober person would. All you had to do was look at the wall that was his upper body to know it would be a dumb idea.
I could say that from a professional and clinical point of view. I sized up guys for a partial living. Kind of.
“I don’t think so, but—” An image of Noah’s face flashed before my eyes, but I shook it off. “—people are weird, and you’re bigger than they are. Just let me know though. Everyone is mostly really nice.”
He made a funny face that I knew was my fault for being so vague. “Does anyone know now that….”
“You’re Mo’s dad?”
“Yeh.”
“No.”
Something in his eyes dimmed, but I couldn’t and wouldn’t feel bad about it.
“I told you I hadn’t told anyone. It’s only been a few days since you got here. The only people I’ve told have been my grandpa, Peter, and my best friend. It’s no one else’s business but ours. We still have a lot to figure out first anyway.”
His expression got even more grave. “You don’t want anyone to know?”
“That’s not it. I just don’t think I need to announce it.” I paused as a thought entered my head. “Why? Do you want to keep Mo a secret?”
Because my girl wasn’t going to be a secret. If he wanted to protect her privacy, that was one thing, but if he didn’t want people to know he had her in the first place, that was a totally different situation. So.
Luckily he answered with his own head jerking back as he frowned. “No. Not at all. I have family and some mates to tell first. My agent. I just wanted a bit of time to have this for myself, is all. Once I tell one person, it will get out, and I’d like to enjoy it while I can, Len, if that’s all right. Without having to answer