Southern Pleasure (Southern Heart 1)

I’m sitting on the front porch with my laptop, going through this morning’s pictures when I hear a truck pull up. I know who it is without even looking. Evan’s had that old thing since he was sixteen. It had been well used when he got it. I hear the creak of the door as he opens it, and I can’t help but grin. You know you missed home when the sound of a rickety old truck door can bring a smile to your face.

I’m still looking at my computer screen, flipping through images, when his footsteps approach. I don’t look up, assuming he’s going to walk right past me and into the house like he always does. Only he doesn’t.

Looking up, I see he’s not wearing his usual dusty, worn jeans, the ones that hang just right. These jeans are more . . . I don’t know, dressy, I guess you could say. It’s obvious he hasn’t been working today. His flannel shirt is pressed and tucked in with the sleeves rolled to his elbows. He’s sexy as hell no matter what, and it’s with that thought I realize I’ve been staring at him. “Hey, you look fancy.” I smile big, hoping to cover up my ogling.

The corner of his lips twitch in amusement, but it’s not the megawatt smile I’m used to.

“Bad day?” I ask hesitantly. I know he has a lot going on with the baby and Misty. Last I heard, he was still trying to track her down to meet with his attorney and sign the custody papers.

“Yes and no.” He climbs the last step and takes the seat beside me. Leaning over, he glances at my computer screen. “You’re really good.”

I can feel the blush coat my cheeks. “How do you know these are mine?”

He gives me that look, the one that says I’m not an idiot.

“Aren’t they?”

I look down at the screen, averting my gaze. My face is on fire. I’ve displayed my work hundreds of times in college, and I’ve never had this kind of reaction to a compliment.

It’s Evan.

“Thank you,” I say, finding my voice. We’re both silent and I breathe a sigh of relief as I get myself under control. Finally, I turn to look at him. “You want to talk about it?”

Closing his eyes, he rests his head back against the chair. “I just left my attorney’s office. Misty signed the papers.”

I wait for him to say more, but he doesn’t. I can’t even begin to imagine how he’s feeling. He’s going to be a father—-a single father. This isn’t how anyone plans to join the ranks of parenthood.

My eyes stay glued to him. I wish there was something I could do or say, but there’s nothing. This is a bad situation all around. The only good is the miracle of a new life, his baby.

Turning his head, he opens his eyes and the brown pools stare into me. “It didn’t even faze her, Kinley. She waltzed in there and made sure it was known she wants no part of this kid’s life and signed on the fucking dotted line.”

Instinctively, I reach over and place my hand on top of his. It’s a lame attempt to comfort him.

“It’s like she’s not even the same person. How . . .” he stops and swallows hard. “What if I can’t do this?” he asks. His voice is soft and pained. He grimaces. “What if I screw this kid up? What if I can’t be what he or she needs?”

Before I can answer him, my mom opens the front door and steps out. “Oh, Evan, I didn’t know you were here. It’s good to see you.” She takes the chair on the opposite side of me and leans forward. “How have you been?” Her eyes flash to my hand still clutching his. Reluctantly, I let go and place my hands back in my lap.

“Hey, Mom.” Evan spent as much time here growing up as Aaron and I. He’s always called my parents mom and dad. He looks at me to gauge if she knows. I shake my head no. Releasing a heavy sigh, he drops the bomb. “I’m good, a lot going on.” He swallows hard. “I found out about a week and a half ago that I’m going to be a dad.”

Mom’s eyes widen and she glances back and forth between the two of us.

“Today’s been a . . . bittersweet one.” He goes on to explain. “Misty, she doesn’t want the baby. I had to plead with her to keep it.” The last part is choked out. “This morning we signed custody papers over to me. They still have to be filed with the court, but by the time the baby is here, I will be the sole custodial parent. Misty will have no rights whatsoever.”

“Oh my.” Mom stands and walks over to Evan. Leaning over, she places her hand on his cheek. “You’re an amazing young man, Evan Chamberlin. This baby is lucky to have you.” She taps his cheek and goes back to her chair.

“So, what’s next?” I ask him.

“I don’t know. I’m out of my element here. I mean, I’m excited about the baby. I’m scared as hell and it’s not how I envisioned it, but I want it—him or her. I hate calling my baby it.”

Mom chuckles. “Well, why don’t you try something else like peanut?” she asks.

Evan smiles fondly at her. “Is that what you did?”

She grins. “Yep. We didn’t find out with either of them. We wanted to be surprised.”

I look at Evan. “Do you want to know?” I ask him.

He doesn’t answer at first, and I can tell he’s never really thought about it. “I don’t know.” Leaning his elbows on his knees, he buries his face in his hands. “I just always pictured having ‘the one’ by my side during all of this.”