of another rejection. This one when he was out of the womb.
Although that could just be an excuse since Damon probably wouldn’t remember.
Jack reached out and touched Eli’s hand. "I hear you," he said. "But I care about you, Eli. I really do. I want to be a father, and if that means that my partner has a child coming into the relationship, then I’m not going to run from it. Especially if that partner is you."
Eli’s heart jumped.
"I may need help being a good dad, but that’s what I would be to Damon. He would be my first child." Jack squeezed his hand. "Would you tell me about the father? I want to hear everything."
Eli released a slow breath. "I thought he was the love of my life," he started. "Sadly, he revealed his true colors when I wound up pregnant. He bolted. Left when I was at work. If ever there was a sign that he wanted nothing to do with either of us... Anyway, he hasn’t been back since."
"Do you know where he is?" Jack asked.
Eli shook his head. "No. I’ve considered trying to find him, but I don’t want him in Damon’s life. It’s been a blessing that I’ve been able to be a single parent to him."
"I hope you have help, my mama didn’t," Jack shared. "It was just us."
"I do. My mom." Eli was surprised to hear that Jack was raised by a single parent, too. "Sometimes my sister. She’s married with two kids of her own, and Jace, too. You remember him?"
"I do." Jack nodded. "And that’s amazing. Family is awesome. They are a blessing, aren’t they?"
Eli nodded. "No doubt about that. If it wasn’t for them, I couldn’t do it. Not with the shop and Damon. They’ve helped me be the single parent I am today."
"Amazing! I look forward to meeting them all one day soon."
Eli knew Jack meant every word.
"I didn’t know you were raised by a single parent." Eli hoped Jack didn’t think he was prying.
"Yeah, my alpha father wasn’t in my life at all. The only thing I know about him is what I got from his lawyer when he passed away. So mom raised me by herself."
"Well if Damon turns out as good as you, then I’ll be lucky." Eli held Jack’s gaze to make sure he knew he meant every word.
Jack ducked his head, and Eli could see red crawling up his neck. "Thank you."
"You’re welcome." Eli’s lips twitched.
"Also, I just wanted you to know I wasn’t upset when I left the bakery that day. I know we’ve talked about everything, but I wanted you to know that. It was actually work, but I should have taken a moment to talk about your son before rushing away."
"Thank you for telling me," Eli replied.
"Okay, I think those are all the topics to be discussed this week. Until next time." Jack’s tone was teasing.
"I guess just one more thing," Eli said.
Jack looked at him expectantly.
"I care about you, too," Eli blurted. "More than I have ever cared about anyone that wasn’t family in a very long time."
Jack blushed. "Me, too," he said. "Now, are you ready to look around?"
Eli nodded and stood up. He walked around and met Jack on the other side of the table. "Thank you for letting me be right about you," he said. He wrapped his arms around Jack, and they kissed.
17
Jack
Jack got out of his vehicle, walked up to the door, and knocked. This was the first day that Jack and Eli were going to spend the whole day with just Damon. He was excited and couldn’t wait to get to know Eli’s little boy better. He switched the package from his right hand to his left and waited for Eli to open the door. They had been in this new relationship for almost two months now, and days like this, hanging with his two guys, just felt right.
He’d gotten used to being alone and then he’d found his brothers. But this, now, with Eli and Damon, he’d been looking forward to this moment.
When Eli opened the door, Damon stood at his side and he had the biggest smile on his face.
"Hi, Jack," Damon waved. And if his heart didn’t fall into the kid’s hands in that moment.
He knelt down in front of Damon. "Hello, Damon. This is for you."
Damon wrapped his arms around Jack’s neck, so tightly, that it nearly choked him. Not that he was complaining.
They’d spent time together the past couple