Page 3 of Mad Love

“Okay, okay,” I say, lifting my hand.

Henley’s an old dog, who has some good tricks. He knows how to dish it out like a pro.

Okay, he’s not that old. He’s thirty-five, and the guy gets just as much attention from the ladies as we do when we go out. Not that he’s interested in any of them. His ex-wife did a number on him.

But he’s a damn good wide receiver. The very best.

Henley grins. “Have a seat.”

He waves his hand to the seats around the table and we sit down, not so sure we want to be here anymore but also pleased that we passed.

“Was her flow heavy?” Bowie asks, giving me the side-eye.

“Come on!” I groan.

They laugh like crazy.

“I’m mature enough to talk about periods,” Penn says proudly. “I just don’t want to know when Cassidy has started hers…” He sticks his lip out and does sad eyes. “She’s just a baby.”

“Exactly that,” I say, pointing at Penn.

For some reason, that resonates, and there’s a sad air that comes over the room.

“I can’t believe my little girl is so grown up,” Henley says sadly. “I was testing you. She hasn’t started her period yet. I’d never tell you guys about that. She’d murder me in my sleep if I did. I’d be breaking dad code all over the place if I broke that news. But itcouldhappen…any day now.”

Oh God, maybe I’m not cut out for this. I glare at Henley, but he has my mind rolling now. I love Henley’s girls. I can’t stand the thought of Cassidy being that grown up either.

My phone buzzes and I look at it, frowning when I see Presbyterian Hospital across the screen. My family would go to Silver Hills Hospital if anything went wrong…

I waited too long to answer, but it rings again right away.

“I’m sorry, guys. It’s from Presbyterian Hospital.” I stand up and start to leave the room, but then remember the crowd out there.

“Take it in here,” Penn says. “I don’t think you’ll be able to hear out there.”

I nod and answer. “Hello?”

“Mr. Shaw?” A woman with a no-nonsense voice waits for my response.

“Yes?”

“Weston Alexander Shaw?”

“This is Weston Alexander Shaw. Who is this?”

“Your son was admitted into the ER at Presbyterian Hospital this morning,” she says.

My stomach takes a dive, and I shake my head even though she can’t see me.

“I don’t…have a son,” I say.

I’m facing the wall, but the low chatter in the room goes silent, and I can feel four sets of eyes on my back.

“Your name is on the birth certificate. The baby was born in this hospital a couple months ago, and we hoped that you were the next of kin.”

I swallow hard, my vision blurring and thoughts flying at rapid speed. I’ve never had sex without a condom. Women I’ve never even met have claimed they’re having my baby before, but my lawyers proved the allegations were false.

“Mr. Shaw?”

---