Page 29 of Reed

The whistle blows, and I can finally breathe again, and when Bryce is named man of the match, he’s thrown up in the air with shouts of congratulations that make my ears ring out, but I can’t deny how happy the kid looks with his circle of friends.

It wasn’t until I met my best friends in boarding school that I started making memories, plans for a future, and not once did I consider having a family.

Why the hell would I?

I never had one to want one.

Bryce comes rushing over, covered in dirt that makes me step back. “Did you see me, Mom?”

“I did.” She grins and takes his filthy cheeks in the palms of her hands and kisses his forehead, and I wrinkle my nose at the thought of the dirt now covering her too.

“Bryce, this is Reed. The baby’s dad, the one I was telling you about,” Gia explains, and Bryce glances up toward me.

“Are you going to live with us?” He scrutinizes me, and I can’t help but wonder what the hell he thinks of me. I shove my hands in my pants pocket, hoping I look casual enough not to scare him away.

“No. He’s not.” Gia laughs awkwardly, and I snap my eyes toward hers.

Why the hell would she assume I don’t want to live with them? If we’re going to be a family, naturally it’s the next step. When I said I was all in, I meant it.

“You did amazing, buddy.” Tyson ruffles Bryce’s dark hair, and I want to knock his hand away. Does he not realize the boy is practically my son now? He can’t just touch things that don’t belong to him.

The need to say something greater than “You did amazing buddy” prompts me to step forward. “I’m pretty impressed, Bryce.”

His green eyes entrap mine as he looks up at me with hope.

“I think you deserve a treat.” What treat, I’ve no fucking clue. All I know is he needs something from me. Something better than what that twat waffle offered, a messy hairdo.

“Can we go to McDonald’s?” His eyes flare with excitement, and my stomach churns at the thought. Please God, no.

“Buddy, you went there last weekend.” Tyson is quick to jump in, and I want to sneer at the fuckwit. Tate calls me a fun-sponge; he would have a field day with this guy.

Gia laughs uncomfortably as I will her to tell the kid not McDonald’s, but at the same time piss off Tyson. “Sure. Reed can treat us.” She winks, and the part of me that was dying seconds ago has sprung back to life.

I smirk in Tyson’s direction while he mouths,Fuck youat me. I can only smile back in his direction with glee as I place my hands on Bryce’s and Gia’s shoulders and lead them away.

That’s right, motherfucker, they’re mine now.

CHAPTERTHIRTEEN

REED

I can’t helpbut keep checking the rear-view mirror as I drive toward the fast-food chain. “Are you sure he doesn’t need a booster seat or something?” Nervousness rolls in my stomach as I consider I’m now driving my entire family in a vehicle that resembles a trash can.

Gia stifles a laugh. “I’m sure.”

“My best friends’ kids all have them,” I add.

She shuffles from side to side, and her gaze lands on me, causing my cock to thicken once again. “How old are they?”

Her question whirls around in my head because it’s a good question. How old are they? It takes a moment for me to respond as I consider when Shaw had his daughter, but I come up empty. All I know is the kids are younger than Bryce, a lot younger.

I throw out my hand. “There’s a bunch of them, different ages.”

“Mom.” Bryce sits forward in his seat. “I’ve been saving the toys in the Happy Meals. Look which one I got last time. The one all the kids at school want!” Bryce holds up a McDonald’s bag, and I swerve the SUV from panic.

Oh, shit no!

My heart rate picks up, and my palms become sweaty.

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