Page 35 of Orange Spell
Curran hated that he had to do this, but he knew his mothers wouldn’t let it go.Besides, they’d find out eventually.“We were together the night of the party.We both had too much to drink, and that’s that.I know he doesn’t feel the same way I do, and it’s fine.”
Yarra stared at Curran for a moment.“Is it?”
“What?Fine?I don’t have a choice, do I?He’s going to be in my life whether I like it or not.The baby should have both parents, and they will.”
“And you should have a partner.”
“Maybe I’ll find someone eventually.Right now, though, I want to focus on the baby.”
“You can have both a child and a partner.”
“Not when the only partner I want is Marlin.I know I need to get over this stupid crush, and I will eventually.”He’d have to.He could only imagine how uncomfortable his life would be if he couldn’t get over it.He’d have to see Marlin every day.It would be torture if he wasn’t over his feelings and Marlin found someone to settle down with.
Curran was no doubt selfish to feel like that, but he was glad it wouldn’t happen anytime soon.Marlin’s priority was his job, and now, this baby.He probably wouldn’t have time to meet and fall in love with anyone.In turn, that would give Curran time to get over what he felt and, hopefully, by the time the dust settled, they’d both have found someone to share their lives with.
“I think you should tell him,” Alaina murmured as she reached over to take one of Curran’s hands.“He could surprise you.”
Yarra cleared her throat.Curran didn’t miss the way his mothers stared at each other for a moment.He was pretty sure they were having an entire conversation without words, the way they always did when they didn’t want him or Birch to know what they were thinking.He’d always been jealous of that because he wanted a partner who knew him so well that he could do the same with them.
He swallowed and looked down.Thinking about Marlin being that partner wouldn’t help.He needed to stop.
“But of course, you should only do whatever you’re comfortable with,” Alaina added.“You’re going to have to spend a lot of time with him, though.”
“I know.We’re having a kid together, and that kind of goes with it.”Curran sighed.“Look, can we stop talking about this for the rest of the day?I’m a mess, and Marlin and I haven’t really had time to talk.I promise I’ll keep you up to date about everything.”
Alaina looked like she wanted to argue, but Yarra quickly nodded.“Of course.”She got to her feet.“Why don’t we watch a movie together?We haven’t done it in too long.I’ll make some popcorn and grab drinks, and we can waste a few hours on the couch.”
Curran allowed himself to sink deeper into the couch.He closed his eyes, feeling like a weight had been lifted off his shoulders.Not telling his mothers about the pregnancy had been incredibly hard.He’d had Deryn, but it hadn’t been the same thing.He was glad he wouldn’t have to hide anything anymore.
Well, almost anything.He was going to have to continue hiding the fact that he was in love with Marlin from Marlin, but he could do that.He’d been doing it for close to a decade.
It hurt as much today as it always had.
Chapter Nine
Curran wasn’t surprisedwhen Marlin knocked on his door a few days later.He’d asked for a little time, and he’d gotten it.They’d both known that they would need to talk about the baby soon, though, and Curran had been on pins and needles waiting.
