Page 33 of Big Nick Energy

“And maybe a funnel cake after?”

“Anything you want, princess.” I kissed the top of her head. The city square was slowly starting to fill up when I felt her tense.

“Umm, Nick?” she whispered in a tone I didn’t like. One that was filled with fear and hesitation.

One I didn’t want to hear ever again.

“Yeah?” I asked. Her eyes connected with mine for a beat before she stepped away from my hold. My brows bunched. “What’s the matter, prin—" I didn’t get to finish saying anything because that’s when I looked up and saw him.

Noah stood six feet away from us.

He stood with two of his buddies from high school and a girl I didn’t recognize at his other side.

“Dad?” The look of betrayal on his face stung, but it didn’t stop me from reaching for Blanca’s hand and tangling out fingers together. Part of me was afraid she’d run off. Noah stepped close, slowly approaching us as his eyes bounced between me and her, then dropped and focused on our hands.

“What is going on?” he asked, but before I could say a word or think of something, someone called out.

“Mami!” a voice sounded. It was a little far away, but Blanca’s body jerked as she turned toward a woman, two girls, and a really big guy walking toward us.

“This is not happening,” she whispered. Her hand tightened around mine.

“I told you that was her!” The older lady smiled at a blonde with big glasses. The valedictorian from the graduation.Her best friend.Blanca let go of my hand, and I couldn’t get myself to grab it back. I was a selfish bastard when it came to my princess, but I had to play it cool.

“Hey, Mom,” she squeaked. Libby mouthed,I’m sorry,and I stood straighter. “Umm, what are you guys doing here?”

“Your brother and Libby came for the weekend, and you mentioned to Gris you were coming, so…” Her mom looked at my son and me, and then back at her daughter. “So, we wanted to surprise you.” She had no idea just how much she had.

“You want to introduce us?” Blanca’s mom asked, tipping her head toward Noah and me. Thankfully, his friends had left to god only knew where. The girl stood off to the side, watching the whole thing unfold.

“Umm, yeah.” She smiled tightly. “You remember Noah? And, umm, this is Nick.”Nick.It could have been worse. It wasn’tThis is my man, Nick, but at least it wasn’tNoah’s dad. “Nick, Noah, this is my mom, Val.”

“Nice to meet you,” Noah muttered, his eyes still filled with disbelief.

“Nice to meet you.” I extended my hand, and for a moment, Val looked at me, then her daughter, and back at me.

“Am I missing something here?” she asked, obviously as astute as, if not more than, her daughter.

“Mom—“

“Mrs. Dominguez, umm…” I cleared my throat.

“Yeah! What’s going on? Wait, isn’t this the jerk who cheated on you?” Her brother came over and frowned, glaring at Noah.

“Crank, go away!” Blanca hissed, shooting a pleading look at her best friend. “Mom, we need to talk.”

“I think Nick is the one who was about to explain.” Her brother glared.

“Not here––“ Blanca started to say, but I shook my head.

“Here is fine,” I said, and she turned her attention to me.

“Nick.”

“Baby––“

“Baby?” Both Noah and her brother repeated, but I ignored them and cast my gaze to her mom.

“Mrs—"

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