Page 33 of Falling for Her

He raises a brow, and I say, “Scarlett wants to know if Aiden's dad is still involved.”

He groans, “For god’s sake, Scar…”

I shake my head and say, “It’s okay, everyone always presumes.”

Damian shakes his head and snaps, “That isn’t the point, angel,” and I raise a brow at his tone, making him wince while Scarlett watches. “I’m sorry, baby,” he says softly, “but I’ve seen people turn their nose at you. And honestly, Scar here is the last person who should be turning her nose when she’s twenty-one with not one but two kids and her first kid was born out of wedlock.”

I look at Scar, who winces but nods and says, “I’m sorry, he’s right. I uh, I’m just protective of him is all.”

I tilt my head and furrow my brows when I see Damian subtly shake his head before he looks at me and sighs, seeing my confusion.

“Look, I’m sorry. Let’s just have a good time with the kids.” Scarlett says, but I don’t take my eyes off Damian.

No secrets, that is what we promised each other after we slept together.

He nods, knowing I need some answers—answers he knows I won’t let go of—and admits, “Her ex-best friend is my ex, who also happens to be Ace’s sister.”

Well, that makes sense then. I nod because that is all I need to know.

“Okay,” I reply, causing Scarlett’s eyes to widen, but I ignore her shocked look and appear at the boys as Aiden shouts, “Sissy!”

“Wait, did he just say…” Scarlett’s words trail off, and I grin at her. She groans, dropping her head, and my grin turns into a chuckle as I walk around the stroller and over to my brother.

“Push me.” he demands, and I raise a brow at the little terror, and he adds, “Pwease,” extremely sweetly.

“Only because you said please,” I say, gently grabbing hold of the swing and pulling him out before letting go. I do the same for Levi, who giggles and squeals, making me smile before I feel Damian come up behind me and wrap his arms around me.

Instantly, I melt into him and smile while I gently push the boys, and Scarlett moves in front of them.

We lock eyes as she apologizes, “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have assumed.”

I shrug and admit, “You aren’t the only one. I work in a bakery near college, and every time one of my peers sees him because he is with me a lot, they think he’s mine as well. We’re a spitting image of each other.” I swallow hard and admit, “My uh, my mom passed giving birth to him so I’m the only female influence he’s had so far.”

Damian's arms tighten around my waist as he puts his face into my neck, gently skimming his lips against my skin. Scarlett’s eyes soften as she murmurs, “And you’ve basically raised him.”

I nod and add, “With my dad, who is my hero,” Damian cuts in, “And my biggest supporter,” making me snort and look up at him because he’s not wrong.

He looks down and smiles before gently rubbing his nose against mine, and I melt further into him.

The words are on the tip of my tongue, but I swallow them, knowing it is way too soon. I gently kiss his lips before Levi shouts, “Joke-Joke,” and Damian tenses, confusing me.

Wait, did Levi call him Joke?

I frown, but he shakes his head, quickly relaxes, kisses me, and murmurs, “Looks like I’m on kid duty so you and Scar can get to know each other,” he looks at Scarlett and demands, “No more adding two and two making five.”

She winces and he looks at me as my eyes race between his. He’s keeping something from me, I just can’t figure out what.

I nod knowing I won’t get any answers right now and despite the confusion still surrounding me, I kiss him making him smile before he moves over to the boys and takes them out of the swings, one kid in each arm and walks towards the sand pit with giggling boys dangling.

“Do you uh want to sit on the bench over there?” Scarlett asks and I hum, looking at Damian for a few seconds before walking with Scarlett. “Seriously, I didn’t mean any offense,” she says as we sit. I smile her way before looking back at Damian, not able to take my eyes off the man.

He’s keeping something from me. I just don’t know what, but can I demand to know when we’ve only been together for a month?

“Honestly, it’s fine,” I reassure, “I treat him like he’s my own anyhow. Even my dad says I was basically a mother to him, but now I’m trying to go back down to the sisterly role, I guess.” I admit, “I’m hoping my dad is able to find love again, someone who will love him and Aiden as much as my mom did.”

“That’s really noble of you to want that. Most kids don’t want their family to move on,” Scarlett mumbles, and I shrug and reply, “I’m not most kids. My dad deserves the world. After Mom passed, he was the glue, and now it’s time for him to be happy.”

“But what about you,” she retorts, “Shouldn’t you be happy and get to live your life?”

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