Series Starter Firsts in Series Collection - Kaylee Ryan Page 0,23

son and smiles.

“We’re going to head out and grab a shower, but we’ll be back,” Kent says, pointing down at his work boots and dirty jeans.

“You guys don’t have to come back. There’s nothing but waiting right now.”

“So we wait.” Seth shrugs.

“Walk us out. Some fresh air for a few minutes might do you some good,” Tyler chimes in.

I say a quick good-bye to my parents’ and sister and follow the guys outside. I take a deep breath, holding it in before slowly releasing it.

“Some crazy-ass shit,” Mark says, breaking the silence.

“Don’t I know it.” It’s like one of those movies my mom and sister like to watch on that Lifetime channel.

“You need anything, man, you let us know,” Kent offers.

“Just take care of the office. I can’t even think about all that right now.”

“We got you. I’ll bring a deck of cards or something when we come back,” Seth says.

“Guys, really, you don’t need to sit here. No point in all five of us sitting and staring at her.”

“Fine, we’ll take shifts. I’ll be back later,” Tyler states. “You guys—” he points to our other three friends “—can take the next one.” Finally, he looks at me. “See you in a bit.”

I concede with a nod. Each of them takes a turn giving me a quick hug and slap on the back.

I stand there on the steps, eyes closed, just taking a minute to reflect on everything when I hear my name being called. Slowly, I open my eyes and see Stephanie.

“Are you okay?” she asks.

Three days. It’s been three days since I told her I was here. I know we didn’t label what was going on with us, but three days?

“I’m good.” I don’t bother further explanation.

She takes me in, seeing that physically I am indeed okay. “You’ve not returned any of my calls or texts.”

“I’ve been busy.”

“What’s going on, Ridge? You really believe he’s yours?”

I tell her about Melissa, about our night together. I tell her about the night of the gala and end with earlier today when my son was born. I give her the CliffsNotes version, but I don’t hold back.

“So, you’re falling for this girl’s story? Are you sure this kid is even yours? I mean, come on, Ridge. Think about it. How many women try to trap men with ‘I’m pregnant’? I thought you were smarter than that.”

What. The. Fuck.

“He’s mine,” I grit out. Sure, we’re still waiting on the results of the paternity test, but he looks like me and I just know he’s my son.

She stares at me as if trying to see through me. She won’t find what she’s looking for. He’s my son; my gut has never been wrong before.

“So, what, you’re just going to play daddy now?”

I take a deep breath, trying to calm my nerves. She’s testing me. “There is no fucking playing about it, Stephanie. I’m a father. I have a son.”

“I can’t believe you’re falling for this shit! You really want to be tied down with a kid from a one-night stand?”

“Yes!” I growl. “He’s mine. I will be in his life, regardless of my relationship with his mother. His mother who, by the way, is currently lying in a hospital bed, fighting for her fucking life!”

Stephanie shakes her head as if my words are the craziest thing she’s ever heard. “Good luck with that. Call me when all this shit blows over and we can get together.”

I’m fucking done. “Not gonna happen.”

“What, you have a kid so now we can’t hook up?”

“My son has nothing to do with it. I don’t want you.”

She steps forward and runs her finger down my chest. “You sure about that? Why is it that I’m the only one you keep coming back to?”

Fuck this! “You were a bet,” I snap. “The guys fucking bet me that I couldn’t stay with one person for three months. Sure, we had a good time, but don’t mistake that for something more. You were their pick.” I shrug, letting her know that she’s of no consequence to me.

“A bet?” she asks, appalled.

“Yep. So you can take you’re ‘better than thou’ bitchy self and move on down the road. Even if it were more, there is no way I could be with someone who doesn’t accept my child.”

“You don’t even know if he’s yours!” she yells.

“Go!” My voice is low and menacing. “I don’t want to see you anymore. He is mine, and you are not. Leave now, and lose my number.”

I turn