Page 26 of I've Got You

“You staying for dinner?” Davis’s deep voice caused that damn extra beat in my chest again. I flicked my gaze at him. He was still crouched low and peering up at me, his stare intense and that ever-present smirk on his face.

“Ye—” I cleared my throat and fought hard to keep color from rising in my cheeks. “Yeah.” I glanced around, seeing Carter was fully occupied with Libby, and Tanner was still absent. “Is that okay?” There was no exact reason behind the question that spilled out. I was just all too aware that he and Tanner were family and my being here meant I was encroaching on family time.

Davis frowned as he stood and stepped toward me, pausing when he was directly opposite, the table separating us. “Of course it is.” He paused. “Is there a reason why it shouldn’t be?”

I allowed myself to shrug, a gesture that had been banned when I’d been growing up. I’d been slowly training myself to rebel against old teachings and challenge my fears and habits. I stumbled at the thought and considered rebelling and going ahead, but some fears were hard to challenge, and now didn’t exactly seem like the best time. Instead, I said, “I just didn’t want to intrude on family time, is all.” My answer was as truthful as I could make it, fully aware of what Davis had previously shared with me about being open and honest. I was trying my utmost to do just that.

Davis’s mouth slipped once more into a grin. “You’re not. And from what I’ve heard, Carter has pretty much adopted you or some sh— erm…” He cut a glance at his daughter. “…something, so that makes you practically family. Right?” He winked, and this time heat lit my cheeks, but amusement played on my lips.

Acceptance was a strange and definitely surreal concept. But somewhere along the way, it had happened. I’d been gifted with it by Carter, and in turn by those who cared for him. I just had to continue to work at pulling it into myself and embracing it. I’d get there, though. I knew it.

I was a stubborn asshole when I wanted to be. I hoped that would be in my favor in my current battle.

Refocusing and trying to ease into this new sense of normality, I glanced around the table. “Does Libby have a high chair or something here?”

“Yeah.” He indicated toward the pantry. “It lives in there.”

“Okay, thanks.” I placed the fork that had remained in my hand down and made my way to get Libby’s chair. Casual. Normal. I could totally do this. And if I lied to myself about it enough, eventually it would become the truth. Right?

With focused movements, I set up Libby’s chair, all too aware of her garbled baby talk. Davis had told me she was almost one, which made sense since she was crawling and trying to stand. Seeing her chattering away and not making a lick of sense reminded me I really had to pull my head out of my ass and call Jenna.

“I’m impressed.”

I looked up at Tanner, who openly observed me. For once he didn’t have a pissed-off stare fixed on me. “About anything in particular?”

He quirked a brow. “You know how to handle a high chair, and you’re not running from the house screaming.”

It was my turn to look confused. “Is there a reason you expect me to run away screaming?”

He appeared to contemplate my words for a moment before saying, “Well, I know you’ve been spending time with Davis, and I know this is the first time you’ve met Libby.”

“I actually haven’t met her yet,” I interrupted, then slammed my mouth shut. Was it weird I’d said that? I wanted to get to know her. Yeah, she was a baby, or an almost toddler, or whatever, but still, she was Davis’s, and I was curious. They’d been here for only about fifteen minutes, and Carter had whisked her away. Davis had disappeared too, so that left me focusing on anything else so I wouldn’t track Davis down, or do the same to Libby so I could get a decent glimpse of her.

My eyes sprang open, honest-to-God surprise smashing into me. Tanner smiled at me. It wasn’t a half-assed attempt at a smile either, one that appeared more like a grimace. Instead, it seemed genuine, and I had no idea how to react to that. I was spooked the hell out.

Tanner then tilted his head, and my skin prickled. He was fully taking me in. I had no doubt he didn’t even spare the barest of moments checking out the shell of me. Nope. He measured me up, and I could only assume it was all because of Davis and because I was apparently “spending time” with him.

I didn’t know if that was technically true. While I wanted to, as I did want to get to know him better and build on the tentative friendship we’d started, I didn’t think for one moment that Davis would go out of his way to form anything beyond friendly-ish acquaintance. The last thing I was after was pity or an ego stroke. I was simply all too aware I was an asshole.

“Right.” Tanner nodded, spun, and left me alone in the dining area. Had I passed his inspection? Hell if I knew. I supposed only time would tell.

I headed toward the kitchen, uneasy. Davis’s presence had changed the dynamics of me being here. Still finding my feet in Carter’s house, I was becoming better at navigating through tasks without instruction and trying to feel comfortable in his home. I needed to latch on to that so I wouldn’t feel on show.

I ignored the ball of disquiet in my gut. Uncertainty was not me; well, not in my previous life—the one where I’d hidden my sexuality. I was all too aware of how messed up that sounded, since I’d been hiding in the closet all my life. Bringing that part of me to the surface for the world to see was unsettling, but bringing it forward in a home with four individuals…. I could do this. I had to.

“So,” I said when I entered the kitchen, “what’s next?” I eyed the scene before me. Tanner was standing close to Carter, who had Libby in his arms. Tanner looked to be in the process of taking her from Carter. Davis was at the side watching on, a bemused expression on his face. They carried on, despite my entrance. No awkward pauses, no stopping the action…. My ache eased.

“Libby,” Tanner pressed a kiss to the side of her head when he took her from Carter, “meet Dr— Scott.” Tanner took the few steps toward me. They were controlled, deliberate, and the whole time his eyes were on me. “Scott,” he said when he was directly in front of me, “meet Libby. She’s a hell-raiser. You’ve been warned.” He thrust her into my arms, his focus intently on me and no doubt my reaction.

“For sh—ugar’s sake, Tanner. Give the guy a break. Are you for real?”

I didn’t look at Davis when he spoke. Rather, I immediately placed Libby on my hip, forearm under her backside and hand splayed on her back while my other arm remained free. My attention was solely on her. “Hey, Libby.”

Big brown eyes stared back at me; they were identical to her daddy’s. She pursed her pink lips and pulled a face, her nose scrunching up. I could not let her cry. Hell no. Not with everyone looking on and Tanner pushing me into performing for him.

I mimicked her movement and crossed my eyes, then stuck out my tongue. “I can do those silly faces too.” I lightly tickled her tummy. “Can you stick out your tongue too?” I did it again and mentally pumped my fist when the first signs of a smile formed on her mouth. “I bet you do them all the time to Uncle Tanner when he’s not looking, huh?”

I heard a snort but wasn’t sure who it came from. The sound gave me the courage to carry on. “All right, I imagine you’re hungry. Shall we get you strapped in your chair and look for the messiest food possible to paint Uncle Tanner’s walls with?” I didn’t attempt to hold back my grin. I tickled her stomach again and was rewarded by her laughter. The urge to look at Davis was strong, as was the urge to flip Tanner the bird. I restrained both desires and instead looked at Carter.

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