Page 76 of The Biggest Secret
“The door! Is it locked?” I whisper-yell as Adam scrambles from me, his withdrawal from me felt instantly. I pull the sheets around me as he stumbles to the door almost getting hit as it swings open and in walks Dom dragging his puppy behind him. Adam sprints for the bathroom and slams the door, making Dom jump.
Laughing and trying to catch my breath, I pat the bed next to me. “Come here, my baby boy, why are you up so early?”
“I heard noises.” He rubs his eyes as he climbs into bed beside me, tucking his small body up against mine, the blankets between us.
Hearing the bathroom door re-open, I look up to see Adam in a pair of shorts, wearing a look of self-satisfaction on his face. “All you,” he mouths at me as he winks and walks to the bed. Climbing in on the other side of Dom, he rolls him onto his chest.
“Mornin’ Daddy.”
Cue the water works. Tears leak from my eyes. Happy ones but my emotions are riding right on the surface with all these hormones flooding through my system.
“Morning, son.” He gives him a noisy kiss and Dom giggles. “What do you say, Momma? Why don’t we get ourselves together and head to the diner. Then maybe we go spread some news?”
I smile. He just can’t wait, and I won’t take this from him again. It’s early still, but he’s so eager to let everyone in on the good news.
“That sounds like a great idea.”
Dom comes alive, jumping onto his knees on Adam’s chest. “Pancakes!”
Chapter Forty-Six
ADAM
I have never been more content in my life. The highs and lows of a relationship are nothing to fuck with. For fifteen years I have ridden that wave. Some crashed lower than others, and some waves rose higher than others. But nothing beats the wave I’m on right now. And even if we go down again, I know I’m not drowning this time. I’ll make sure of it.
Chelsea intertwines her fingers with mine as we make our way into my parents’ home. I already know Billy is here, he’s a given for Sunday dinner each week. The rest of us wander in and out depending on what’s happening throughout the week, but the invite is always there. We know to put our asses in the chair at six in the evening if we want a home cooked meal.
“There’s my baby!” Mom exclaims as Dom tears down the hallway yelling “Gamma!” She catches him in a hug, and I squeeze Chelsea’s hand.
“Hi, Chels! Adam! I’m so happy you’re all here!” She hugs Chelsea, still holding Dom on her hip and I lean down to kiss her cheek. She gives me a sly grin, and her and Chelsea begin whispering.
“Bro! What the fuck!”
“William! Language!”
“Sorry, Ma.” He narrows his eyes at me. “You’re always stealing my limelight. Damn, just leave that cute kid of yours with us and let me be in second place, huh?” He knocks my shoulder but pulls me in for a quick hug.
I ruffle his hair. “Fat chance. I’ve always been first in line.” Billy and I never spoke about our exchange the night before Jackson’s wedding. We need to, but I just haven’t had it in me. We’re all riding the high of my sister’s wedding. Him and I are acting like normal with each other again, but it definitely something that needs to be talked about.
If I’ve learned anything it’s to never let shit sit and fester. Every misunderstanding deserves the chance to be talked out.
“Oh, the gang’s all here!” Jackson’s booming voice enters the house before he does. “Adam, how’d you get out of our neighborhood without us hearing that damn truck of yours?”
He’s talking to me, but his eyes are on my mom as he wraps her in a hug before acknowledging anyone else in the room. I note Francesca’s soft smile as she watches them adoringly. My eyes meet Chelsea and notice hers are tearing up. I snicker, those damn hormones of hers are going to tip everyone off before we’re able to announce anything. She absentmindedly runs her hands over her barely-there belly.
Out of the corner of my eye, I watch my sister do the same thing. I must inhale sharply because she looks at me. Her eyes widen when she sees me drop my stare to where her hand is resting on her stomach. She drops it immediately.
“What’s wrong Adam?”
She gives a slight shake of her head, pleading with me to be quiet. I take a deep breath letting it out. “Nothing, I uh, just got a twinge in my back. It’s been bothering me for a few days.”
“Anything to get out of work. I’m not covering for you tomorrow, just so you know,” Billy chortles as he grabs a couple beers from the fridge and passes them out. Mom pushes Jackson and Billy outside tohelp my dad and Tom with the barbecue. Chelsea follows Dominic as he runs full steam ahead out the door, as well.
Francesca is actively avoiding my stare. I walk closer to her then follow right on her heels as she turns and reaches for a glass from the cabinet.
“Here Chessy, let me get that for you.” She’s eyeing me but steps to the side as I reach above her and grab a wine glass. Her eyes narrow even more and mine hold a twinkle as I pop the bottle Jackson brought.
“It’s your favorite.” Teasing her with the glass, I swirl it around, wafting the aroma throughout the air. “Ma, shall I pour you a glass to have with your daughter?”
