Hotshot (The Bennett Brothers 1)

Yet, another woman comes and asks me to follow her. When we get to the door, she knocks lightly and gives me a huge smile, telling me they’ve been waiting for me.

Her words don’t register until I walk in and stop mid-stride. There’s someone in front of Sasha’s tented legs with a machine on her stomach. That’s not what has me stunted. Instead, I’m faced with a woman holding Sasha’s hand that is the spitting image of her, only older, and she’s beaming at me.

I resist the urge to run out of the room when she speaks, and Sasha shoots me a wicked, conspiring glare.

“Ren! We’ve been waiting for you. You’re in time.” The woman waves me to the table and points to the screen. “The sonographer just started. Here’s your baby!”

She’s clearly excited to see her grandchild, and my heart drops.

Sasha set me up. She knew I’d be here today through the communication of our lawyers. I’m a lame duck, and she’s daring me to act out in front of her mom.

Well played, bitch.

I stay standing and don’t miss the disappointment on her mom’s face when I don’t step closer. Instead, I give the sonographer a chin jerk, urging her to go on. She moves the instrument over Sasha’s stomach and points out a few different limbs. I’m too shocked to comprehend most of what she says but stare at the vivid screen, knowing my child is there.

The need to have Bizzy close suddenly overwhelms me, and I realize this is a colossal mistake. How’d I think she’d be okay with this?

I force myself to pay attention until the sonographer moves away and pictures pour out of the machine.

Sasha’s mom looks at me expectantly, waiting… For what? I don’t know.

I glance at the pictures again.

I should want one.

I should have one.

I should demand one.

Then, the most grating and obnoxious sound echoes through the room as Sasha starts laughing. “Mom, I think he’s finally speechless.”

I shake inside at the sound of her voice.

“What’s wrong, Ren?” she asks like it’s the most normal thing in the world for us to have a conversation.

I suck in hard, swallowing the hatred for her… for myself. “Nothing. It seems like everything is progressing normally.” I look at the poor, confused sonographer for confirmation.

She nods.

“I’ll be at the next appointment.”

I turn and rush through the door without another word until I hear Sasha’s mom calling me.

“Ren!” She steps into the hall, closing the door behind her.

Out of pure respect, I stop and take a few breaths as she makes her way to me.

“I know this is not ideal, but it’ll work out fine. No one is angry anymore. There’s no need to be scared of me or my reaction. We welcome you into our family and can’t wait to get to know you better. We understand.”

“What exactly do you understand?” I ask, dumbfounded.

“Sasha told us you are barely seeing each other. This is a surprise, but you’re both excited. We accept it.”

“But we’re not seeing each other. We never were. There actually is no ‘we’ at all,” I blurt out blindly, sucking in my words and wishing my PR team was here to handle this.

She steps back, her whole demeanor changing. “What are you saying?”

“Mrs. Crane, I think you need to talk to Sasha.”