Page 112 of Challenged by the Single Dad

“The one of them in the bar is still in the cloud,” Bennett said off-handedly.

Shit.

Dom forgot about that one. He yanked his phone from his back pocket and brought up the archived video file, scrolling back to November 1st and the camera that sat up in the far corner to oversee everything in the bar. As soon as he found it, he deleted it. Then he cleared the trashcan as well to be sure.

Clint’s gaze softened and he stood up, pulling Dom into a hug. “Congratulations on the baby, man. That’s great news.”

“And congratulations on the demotion,” Wyatt added, taking his turn in the hug queue. Dom flipped him the bird which made Wyatt chuckle.

Swallowing, Dom met each of his brother’s eyes. “We’re not telling anybody about the baby. Besides those that live on the hill, that is.” He inhaled deep into his belly. “Chloe … she, uh … she lost several pregnancies in the past, and then the son that survived, he, um … he died when he was eight—so four years ago—in a really terrible accident. She’s very nervous about this pregnancy, and has basically convinced herself that it’s not going to go to term. So, the longer we can keep it a secret, the better.” His bottom lips wobbled at the thought of Chloe having previously gone through so much loss, and possibly having to go through more.

His brothers all nodded.

“Anything we can do,” Bennett said. “I’m assuming she’s going to want to have an appointment with Justine.”

“She might be considered a high-risk pregnancy given her age—over thirty-five—and all her previous losses,” Wyatt added. “Should we hire another bartender to help offset her load?”

Dom’s heart swelled with how supportive and understanding his brothers were being. Sure, he was still a little miffed that they effectively fired him from the bar manager position, but as his initial anger died down, he realized it was what made the most amount of sense. Besides, when she had the baby, he would probably step back into the management role for a while anyway.

“I’m assuming Chloe has moved into your house?” Clint asked. “Or that is the plan anyway? That way you can be there for her, and so she and Silas can get to know each other?”

Nodding, Dom finished his beer. “Yeah. She was against the idea at first, but I just kept thinking, what if she starts to bleed or have cramps, and can’t reach me or any of us because she’s down in the cabin? At least up here, we’re all within shouting distance.”

“It’s a good idea.” Wyatt gripped Dom’s shoulder and gave it a squeeze, then laughed. “Kind of funny how we’ve all moved the women we’re with now into our homes—rather quickly. But so far, it’s working well. And I’m sure it’ll work out for you guys too.”

Dom could only hope.

“So, little brother,” Clint started, directing his question to Jagger, “who are you moving into your house? Is Ms. Raina Aaronson looking for a new abode?” He snickered at his own joke, but all he got in return from Jagger was a steely glare and two middle fingers in the air.

They all chuckled, and for once it wasn’t at Dom’s expense.

Now that his brothers knew about the baby, and his relationship with Chloe, that last residual bit of weight finally slipped off Dom’s shoulders.

They agreed that he would be the one to tell Chloe about her promotion, since it was his job they were giving her.

With all the kids at yoga, his brothers all meandered off into different directions to go begin work for the day. Just because it was Sunday, didn’t mean their business shut down. There was still shit to do.

Dom was on the nightshift tonight though, which had him feeling uneasy. This would be the first time Chloe and Silas would be in the house alone together. Were either of them ready?

Was he asking too much from both of them too soon?

He was about to hike up the hill and back to the house when a familiar little red Suzuki Tracker with a sassy blonde behind the wheel, pulled into the parking lot, blasting music. Renée was all smiles and glittering gray eyes as she climbed out of the left side. “Hey, bossman.”

“Good morning,” he greeted her.

“How’s Chloe feeling? She didn’t look too good when she left last night.” The smirk on her face said of course he’d know how Chloe was feeling, considering that they were more than justfriends.

“She’s feeling better,” he said, not biting the bait she dangled.

“Good to hear.” With her purse slung across her body, and jacket tucked over her arm, she headed for the open back door of the kitchen.

“Hey,” he called to her, making her pause and spin around, “I’m sorry if I’ve been such a grumpy asshole lately.”

Her gaze softened and she smiled. “You two finally stopped being idiots and decided to just be honest with your feelings, then?”

He made a noise in his throat that just prompted her to widen her smile.

“Something like that.”

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