Page 185 of Plaything

“He’s just a little fussy, he’s alright,” his mom assured without even turning around.

A large body sat beside me and took the baby from my lap. “Hey buddy,” Wyatt cooed at him, holding him in the crook of his elbow like he’d done this a million times.

Thank God. I finally breathed in and gave him a grateful look, which he just chuckled at. “Odette has a tendency to squeeze small cute things, Val. It’s a miracle our cat hasn’t been taken to the vet,” he informed, poking fun at me.

“I don’t squeeze him that hard...” I defended.

“Ain’t that a sight,” Mama gushed, looking at the two of us on the floor with a baby. I widened my eyes. Please no... “I hate you for choppin’ your baby makers off. All of you would make such pretty babies, especially with her genes!” She scolded.

Wyatt rolled his eyes like this was a conversation they’d had many times before. “Mama, nothing got chopped off. What do you think a vasectomy is?” He cringed, his voice sounding like he was in pain as he said the word.

She shrugged. “Your daddy never got one, so you could still become a big brother, you know,” she teased, and the woman in the kitchen laughed with her.

Wyatt looked disgusted, unable to meet his mother’s eyes. “I don’t wanna know that...” he cringed. “Alright, I’m taking him to his dad before you overshare again.” He stood with the baby in his arms and gestured for me to follow.

“Where do you think you came from?” She shouted as we walked out the back door.

I laughed as Wyatt shivered in disgust. “Sorry,” he nervously apologized.

I shook my head and touched his arm. “You’re cute when you blush, and your mom is adorable,” I gushed. “Thank you for saving me,” I gestured to the baby as we walked.

Wyatt’s eyes scanned the area as he looked for the father. “I’ve never seen someone panic so much from holding a baby,” he laughed, glancing down at me. “They’re not as fragile as you think, Baby.”

“Maybe not in your arms. I don’t like babies; I don’t know what to do with them,” I cringed.

He nodded in agreement. “You do this,” he said before he tapped a man on the shoulder. “Take your kid, Bob,” he playfully said.

After Wyatt returned the crying baby, we began making our way to the table where my professors sat. There were two men and a woman talking to them. One of the men wore a black button-down shirt, expensive jeans, and dress shoes. The woman was beautiful and middle-aged, and even from here, I could tell the black dress she wore cost thousands. The other man was facing away but had a beer in his hands as Aiden smiled at him in friendly conversation.

“Are those Niko’s parents?” I asked Wyatt. They must be. From Aidan’s description, they fit the bill with their tanned skin, similar to Niko’s, and obvious wealth.

Wyatt gently nodded and slowed his walking. “Yeah, and the man beside them is Aiden’s dad,” he sighed. “I’m sorry. I swear to God, none of us knew they invited him,” he shook his head.

“Do he and Aiden not get along or something?” I asked, not understanding why he was apologizing.

“No,” he quickly said. “I just don’t want you to feel like you’re being put on the spot, having to meet all our parents today. Walt is a nice guy; he just has a bit of a drinking problem,” he assured.

“Aiden didn’t know he’d be here?” I asked.

Wyatt shook his head. “No. Our parents have been friends for years. Pops probably told him he called you, and given that none of us have brought a woman around, he probably wants to meet you,” he pressed his lips together. “If you want to go, we can go—”

“Wyatt,” I grabbed his hand, giving him a pointed look. “You’re overthinking this more than I am. I definitely wasn’t expecting to meet all your parents today, but it is what it is. If they end up sucking, I can always go back to your mom, and she can tell me how pretty I am and how I’d make beautiful babies if your dicks weren’t chopped off,” I smirked, trying to ease his worries.

A small smile grew before he snickered. “I do have the best parents—I told you they’d love you,” he gloated. “Just... please, if my family or their parents get to be too overwhelming, tell me. My feelings won’t be hurt in the slightest if you want to go home early,” he placed a kiss against my hair.

Meeting Niko’s parents and Aiden’s dad was nerve-wracking, but I also wanted to meet the people who raised them to be such gentlemen. It was like unlocking a piece of their puzzle.

“And there she is,” Niko chimed when his eyes landed on me. His parents turned around fully and faced me. His father was handsome, like an older Niko with a salt-and-pepper beard. His mom was drop-dead gorgeous, so much so that I was intimidated by her Angelina Jolie-like stare. His father seemed kind, but his mom was undoubtedly sizing me up as her eyes scanned me from head to toe.

Niko stood from his chair as he introduced us. “Odette, these are my parents, Isabella and Mateo,” he smiled.

“It’s nice to meet you,” I shook their hands, noticing how icy cold Isabella’s hands were. They matched her gaze.

His mother slightly upturned her lips as she greeted, “Ciao, Odette. We’ve heard good things about you from our smitten son.” Her Italian accent was thick, only adding to her intimidation factor.

Behind her, Dominic smirked at Niko, finding amusement in the awkwardness. Niko didn’t seem phased by his mother’s admittance; he simply smiled at me.

She looked over her shoulder at her husband and lifted a brow. “È giovane... almeno sappiamo che non è con loro per la loro ricchezza,” Isabella spoke softly.

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