Page 33 of Orange Spell
They’d finally reached Curran’s door.The conversation between them hadn’t been as bad as he’d expected, but he still wanted some quiet time to wrap his mind around everything.He didn’t want to be away from Marlin, but Marlin had to go to work, and Curran had to start thinking about how he was going to do this.He wouldn’t be raising this child alone, but he also wouldn’t have a partner.That was going to be an odd situation, but Curran’s entire life was an odd situation right now.
He stopped in front of the door and turned to Marlin.“I’m really sorry this is how you learned I was pregnant,” he said.“I’d been trying to find a way to tell you since I found out, but I was all over the place.I didn’t want you to hate me.”
“How could I hate you?”Marlin asked so gently that it made Curran’s eyes burn with tears.“You might be the one carrying our child, but you didn’t do this on your own.We’re both equally responsible for what’s happening.”
“A lot of people wouldn’t feel that way.”
“Those people would be idiots.A child doesn’t happen with one parent.We both did this, and we both have to deal with the consequences.I know we’re not together, but Curran, you have to remember that you’re not doing this alone.I’ll do whatever you need me to do.”
Curran nodded.“Thank you.”
Marlin opened his mouth, but Curran never got to hear what he was about to say.The front door swung open, revealing both of his mothers.They were staring at him and Marlin with wide eyes, and Curran didn’t have to ask to know why.
He sighed.“You heard everything, didn’t you?”
* * * *
MARLIN HAD TO RESISTthe urge to run away.He knew Curran’s mothers well and had spent a lot of time with them, but he didn’t think anything could have prepared him for this situation.Were they going to be angry?If they were, what would they be angry about?About the baby or about Marlin being the father?
“I’m sorry.Can you repeat what you just said?”Alaina asked.
Curran sighed.“You heard everything, didn’t you?”
Alaina reached out to slap his chest, then gasped and rubbed the spot she’d just hit.“I’m sorry.I don’t usually go around slapping pregnant people.”
Curran groaned.“Mom, please.”
“What?Youarepregnant.”
“I’m aware.”
“You’re pregnant, and you didn’t tell us.”
Curran’s shoulders slumped.“I was going to.”
Yarra snorted.“Of course you were going to.You wouldn’t have been able to continue hiding it.”Her gaze slid down to Curran’s stomach, and she gasped.“Oh my God.You’re really pregnant.”
Curran laughed.“That I am.I just needed a little time to wrap my mind around it.”
Yarra turned to look at Marlin.“And you’re daddy number two?”
“Please, don’t call him that,” Curran said, sounding like he was trying hard not to laugh again.
“What?Heisthe other father, isn’t he?That’s what we heard.”
“He is, and before you say anything, no, we’re not together.We were stupid, and this was an accident.”
Both of them were silent.Marlin glanced at the end of the hallway.Would they come after him if he ran?He’d outrun them if they did.He knew he could.
“Well, I suppose there are worse people to have accidental babies with,” Yarra said.“At least you know that Marlin’s a good person and that he’ll take his responsibilities seriously.”
“I will,” Marlin promised.“But right now, I need to go to work.”He turned to Curran.“You have my number.Let me know if you need anything, and I’m not joking about that, Curran.Even if you don’t want to bother me, think about the baby.I’m their father as much as you are, and it’s my duty and pleasure to be there for them.”
Curran looked like he didn’t know what to say.Marlin didn’t blame him.He was going to freak out as soon as he turned the corner.Right now, though, he needed to be calm and collected.He needed to be Curran’s rock.
He wished he could be Curran’s partner, but Curran had been quick to tell everyone they’d talked to that they weren’t together.Maybe Marlin needed to start taking the hint.
He forced himself to smile as he turned to Yarra and Alaina.“I’ll talk to you later.”
