Page 49 of The Biggest Secret
“I don’t know that he’ll understand the meaning, but he’s adapted to your whole family rather quickly.” I grow solemn as I circle to the same side of the island, rubbing Dom’s back. “He’s getting used to seeing you.” I grab Dom’s hand. “Dominic, I know this will be hard to explain, baby, but listen to momma for a minute.”
“Momma,” he says it so proudly and smiles a wide smile showing his white little teeth.
“Yes, baby, good.” I swallow the thick emotion that has suddenly crept up. “And this is your daddy.” I try to see his face through teary eyes. “Can you say Daddy?”
“Daddeee!” He repeats it with excitement carrying out the sound and turning up his lips to show those teeth again. He laughs, throwing his arms in the air. Adam tickles his belly and Dom falls over into his chest, laughing some more. He doesn’t think twice about anyone catching him. He just knows they will be there.
Just like I should have known.
“You have both of us, baby boy. We’ll always be here for you.” Adam states it with a matter-of-fact tone and no other explanation is needed.
Adam leans over and kisses me quickly on the lips. “Let’s get to the field, Momma.” He winks and grabs the diaper bag I had sitting on the chair and off we go.
* * *
“That is some serious BDE right there,” Britt says as we head onto the field and up the stands. She juts her chin towards Adam, who is walking towards the stands like he owns the place, carrying our son. He’s the hottest guy here, and add in a baby? I could lick him from head to toe in front of all these people and not give it a second thought.
“Big Daddy energy in the house!” Chess laughs.
“Nope, I was referring to the big dick energy all those Casanova men carry.”
“Britt!” Francesca reprimands her friend.
“Oh please, like you haven’t heard worse from any of your brothers. Or this group for that matter.”
“Is nothing sacred?”
“Ha! Not with us!”
“Oh, Chelsea, I know you know what I’m talking about. Don’t tell me he doesn’t get dominant with you. I can see it. Adam puts on the stoic act; mature, responsible, in charge for the public. I know that carries over to the bedroom.”
I blush because Adam would die if he heard us talking. Yes, Adam is dominant, and I love it. It’s a secret piece only I ever got from him. Of course, the guys all talk and tease each other, but he’d never disrespect me by telling our secrets. Secrets we’ve kept for years. He has never even breathed a word of my nickname that he reserves for just the bedroom. Peaches is a one-on-one name. I love it.
We all climb the stands and take our seats right behind the bench, at the fifty-yard line. Just like old times. I loved going to theprofessional games when Jackson played. It was exciting to share that time with the family.
I take a seat next to Adam, reaching for Dom but he won’t give him up. He’s a proud dad tonight, showing off his son. My heart hurts for taking this from him, but I’m relieved I can give it back to him now. The town is welcoming me back, and no one says a word to our faces except to tell us how perfect Dom is and how he looks just like Adam.
There is whispering, but the fact that they see us together is enough for them right now. They aren’t asking for details and honestly, it’s not for them to know. For all they know, we chose that time apart.
“You look like a snack holding that baby, Adam. Bet you’re glad the pull and pray failed you now, huh?” Billy jokes around, being his loud self so that people within our little radius hear him and chuckle along.
“Dom, baby, let me tell you something. You should stay away from your Uncle Billy. He is nothing but trouble and will only lead you down the wrong path.” Adam is holding Dom on his lap and he’s laughing and nodding his head to everything Adam is saying.
“We bonded the other day when I babysat. You won’t be able to turn that kid against me.” He leans to Dom and whisper-yells. “At least let us get into some real trouble first, huh, bud?” Billy holds his fist out and Dominic bumps him back with his tiny little fist. “See? Bonded.”
I see Adam side eye him. Billy takes his leave, jumping to the empty seat next to my sister.
I have to check in with Adley. He seems very comfortable with her.
“Hey, maybe I can borrow him sometime, bro? That kid is a chick magnet.”
Adley elbows him hard.
I just laugh at Billy’s antics. That guy loves to rile Adam up, always has. And I’ve only seen Adam take it from him. They fight and egg each other on, of course. They’re brothers; it’s what they do. But next to Francesca, Adam watches over Billy the most.
Billy had some trouble a while back. He was a wild kid growing up, and he never outgrew that. He partied too hard one night and found himself in jail after an accident where he was lucky to be alive. He was charged with DWI and lost his license and his car. The attorney fees costhim a fortune. No one knows why he got in the car that night, and Billy has kept that secret to himself.
Adam was sick with worry and took it upon himself, of course, to fix everything for Billy. Adam cleaned him up, gave him a job, courtesy of a prompt by the courts, and has been watching over him since. I think Billy learned a hard lesson, for the most part, but he’s still that wild guy.
