Final Play (Fake Boyfriend 6)

Char’s phone pings. “Baby Nat is here,” she singsongs.

“Saved by the bell,” Noah murmurs.

Oh, yeah, he has opinions.

That’ll be fun later.

I open my car door. “Baby time.”

You’re doing this for your nephew. You can do it.

“What in the ever-lovin’ fuck you doin’ here?” My father’s voice booms across the waiting room.

A few people turn their heads.

Way to stay inconspicuous.

Whether they don’t recognize me or they’re preoccupied with being in a hospital for whatever reason, they all go back to their own business while we approach my dad.

I mumble to Char, “I’m guessin’ while you didn’t tell me Mom and Dad would be here, you didn’t tell them neither.”

I’m starting to think my sister should keep her ridiculous sheepish look on her face for the rest of our trip. It’ll save time.

“Worst. Sister. Ever.”

Even at fifty-two, my father’s still stocky and domineering. I take after him with my height and physique. Jet takes after Mom. Dad’s salt-and-pepper hair is new. He always said I’d make him go gray. Apparently not seeing me for almost ten years did it.

Noah squeezes my hand, which only makes my father’s gaze dart toward our intertwined fingers.

“I was invited,” I say, my voice gruff. “Where’s Mom?”

My dad ignores me.

A guy stands from one of the chairs and moves next to Dad. It takes a second for me to register that it’s not some random guy. It’s my baby brother. Fifteen years old and taller than both Dad and me.

He folds his lanky arms across a slim chest, and it seems he takes after Dad’s height but Mom’s thin frame. He has Jet’s wispy, shaggy hair and the Jackson trademark brown eyes.

“Wade” falls from my mouth.

His stern face falters a tiny bit, but he stays strong.

“You’re not welcome here,” Dad says again. He glances at Noah. “Neither of you are.”

“Dad,” Char says. “Fern wanted him here.”

“I’m the one payin’ for Fern’s apartment, education, and for that baby,” I say. “You expect me to stay away because you don’t want me? Fern wants me here, and you cain’t do nothin’ ’bout it.”

Damn my Southern accent. At least my family won’t know something’s up and I’m barely holding it together, because they’ve only known me with my accent. With the way Noah holds on to my hand tighter though, he knows exactly how close I am to losing it.

“I told you when you were eighteen not to bother comin’ back.”

“And the only reason I listened was because I didn’t want to drag the kids into our mess.”

Wade’s brow scrunches, and he looks at Dad, but Dad’s too busy scowling at me to notice.

“We just want to see the baby, and then we’ll be on our way,” I say.

“Matt?” Mom’s quiet voice makes us all turn toward the doors leading to the maternity suite.

I meet eyes with the woman who gave birth to me. The person who didn’t protect her son from her husband’s toxic views and even encouraged negativity. And as Dad takes her arm and charges past us to move toward the exit, I realize that hasn’t changed.

They haven’t changed. They never will. I don’t know why I was holding on to the possibility of things being different.

Maybe that’s why I’ve been supporting them all these years.

They say blood is thicker than water, but I read somewhere once that maple syrup is thicker than blood. Therefore, pancakes are more important than family.

I thought it was a joke until this very minute when I watch my parents walk out.

They will always walk out on me, so why the fuck am I trying to hold on to that?

“Wade,” my father barks.

Wade glances between me and our parents before his feet shuffle after them.

I sidestep to cut him off. “If you want to know the truth about what’s happened in the last ten years, we’re staying at the Omni Hotel.”

“He’s not interested,” Dad answers.

“Thanks for answering, Wade.”

Wade looks torn but follows our parents out.

“Who doesn’t love family reunions?” I say sarcastically.

Noah puts his arm around me. “I’m sorry, baby.”

“I’m sorry too,” Char says.

“It actually wasn’t as bad as I expected. Let’s go get nephew cuddles.”

I’m able to play off my encounter with my family, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t dying on the inside.

Chapter Six

NOAH

My man is struggling. He covers it well for his sisters, but he can’t hide it from me.

“So what’s with the name Nat?” Matt asks as he looks adoringly at his newborn nephew. I think Nat’s supporting Matt more than the other way around.

Fern smiles. “I named him after his uncles. Noah and Matt. Nat.”

Matt almost drops the damn baby.

Yeah, we’re going to make great parents.

“You … name … baby … me.” Matt scrambling for words is adorable.

“What he’s trying to say is we’re honored,” I supply for him.

Matt nods. “Yeah. That.”

The way he sways, holding the little blue bundle in his arms, it unlocks another part of my heart I didn’t even know was closed up.