Sucker Punch (TKO 4)

“What did you tell her?”

“I told her the doctor had to take it off. Then she asked, all sweet, if I had an owie.” I chuckle at the memory.

“You think you could handle being around a kid, man?”

“I don’t know. I’ve never been in this position, but I like Paige so much, I’d be willing to try if she’d let me,” I admit.

“Give her some time to maybe think about this. It’s huge for her. You’re not just going to be around her, but her daughter, and the kid will most likely get attached to you. Then, if something goes south with the relationship, it’s not only Paige that has to deal with the repercussions but also the kid,” Ruston tells me. Right now, I’m actually glad I decided to sit down and talk with him.

“Thanks, man. I admit I was a little freaked out earlier. I just never expected anything like this.”

“It’s going to be okay, man,” Ruston says as he places his hand on my shoulder. “Get you some rest and I bet everything is going to work out.”

I stand up and tell him thank you one more time before walking to my room. I lie in bed and wait for a few minutes to see if Paige is going to text. When about thirty minutes pass and nothing has appeared on my phone, I decide against texting her. I’ll do what Ruston said and give her a little time. I close my eyes and let myself fall into a troubled sleep. My mind is so full of things I’m barely able to rest.

Chapter 25

Paige

I’m lying in bed, tossing and turning. Darla has been asleep for almost two hours and I’m still wide awake, thinking about how insane things have been today. I’m beyond baffled at it all. I grab my phone off my nightstand and stare at the dark screen before I press the button. My room lights up and I tap on my messages. I hover between Austin and Brendan, wondering who I want to text. Hell, I’m not even sure either of them are awake right now. For all I know, I could be sending a message that doesn’t get read until morning. I find myself suddenly typing and before I know it I’ve hit send.

Paige: I can’t sleep. What are you doing?

Brendan: You’re not with your boyfriend?

Paige: I don’t have a boyfriend.

Brendan: Didn’t look that way the other day.

Paige: He’s just a friend right now.

Brendan: Gotcha. Do you work tomorrow?

Paige: No, it’s my day off.

Brendan: Could we maybe meet at the park? Is that a good place to meet? I have no clue about this kind of thing.

Paige: We can. I’ll text you in the morning and see when a good time is for you.

Brendan: K.

K? I wasted a whole text conversation on him to see nothing but K? I should have texted Austin. Now I just want to go to bed. I pinch my eyes closed and hold them tightly. They

open shortly after. Ugh, this really blows. I get out of bed and walk into the kitchen to fix a glass of water. I barely take two sips before I go lie back in down. I close my eyes once more and this time, after a few torturous minutes I finally fall asleep.

***

The soft whispers in my ear cause me to nearly jump out of bed. My heart is pounding as I turn to see Darla grinning beside me. “Mowning, mommy.”

“Morning, baby. Did you sleep well?” I ask her as I wipe my eyes.

“Yes. I’m thiwsty,” she whines.

I hop out of bed and grab her hand. “Let’s go get you some milk. Do you want to go to the park a little later?”

She squeals in delight. I take that as a yes. I chuckle as I fix her a glass of milk. I grab some frozen waffles out of the freezer and place them into the toaster. My stomach begins to growl, so I make a mental note to fix one or two for myself also. I have to admit, I’m so freaking nervous for today. I pretty much figured Darla would never meet Brendan and then he had a change of heart. That is possible, right?

I hear my phone and go to my room real quick to check it. It’s Austin and my heart drops. Guilt consumes me and I’m not sure why. Maybe it’s because I’m not being honest with him, but then we aren’t in a relationship. I shouldn’t feel guilty.