Page 30 of Amor Prohibido

“Good grief,” Mum muttered, astonished.

Dad, bless him, remained calm. “So, who’s the girl?”

I didn’t need to say anything; my actions spoke louder than any words could. Slowly drifting my hand toward Jax, I set it on her knee and waited for their reaction. Tension vibrated through Jax’s body and pushed my nerves through the roof until her warm hand landed on top of mine. The simplest of touches conveyed everything I needed to know; you’ve got my back, and I’ve got yours.

“Youwhat?Jax?Please tell me you are having me on, Jason!” I glared daggers at Dad, but refused to interrupt his outburst. “Christ! Don’t get me wrong, Jax, I love you like my own, but for the love of God, son? She’s practically your sister! You aren’t messing with me, are you?” he demanded, now leaning forward again.

“I’m so sorry, Kip.” J’s trembling voice shot my heart with an arrow.

My hand rubbed her leg of its own accord. I just hoped the movement helped alleviate her anxiety a little, just as it did for me.

Dad abruptly pushed to his feet and strode over to us. I instinctively rose in front of Jax, readying myself for a showdown full of yelling and cursing. Instead, Dad moodily shoved me aside and held his hands out for J. She cautiously placed her small hands in his large ones and rose to her feet when he gently tugged. Much to my surprise, Dad wrapped her in the most loving embrace I’d ever seen him give anyone aside from my own mother.

Jax sobbed and fell apart in his arms.

“Shh, it’s okay, darling,” Dad whispered.

The sight made a large, painful lump form in my throat. It was a moment of pure tenderness. One where vulnerable emotions were found unguarded. It was raw. In a way, it was grief, and Dad’s reaction absolutely threw me.

Mum’s hand locked onto mine and squeezed. “Jason?”

I tore my attention from Dad and J to meet her stricken, tear-filled gaze.

“I’m gonna do right by her, Mum. I promise.”

I pulled her against me and held her while she cried her own tears. After a few minutes, all of which I avoided looking at Dad because his glare was intense enough to leave burns down the side of my face, Mum pulled back and palmed away the wetness.

“So, you’re gonna be a daddy? And Jax is your baby’s mumma?”

“Yes, Mum,” I stated while biting back exasperation.

This time Mum squealed.

The fuck?

She lunged at Jax and tore her from Dad’s arms. When Jax was free, Mum squeezed the life out of her while chanting,“Oh my god, oh my god, oh my god!”

Dad eyed me with conflicting emotions playing across his face. I was twenty-eight for fuck’s sake, yet I still hated seeing the look on his face right now. He still hadn’t said a single word aside from comforting J.

Clasping my shoulder, he gave it a quick and painful squeeze, then nodded toward the door. I followed him into his office and scrubbed my hands down my face as he silently poured two glasses of Scotch.

When he offered one my way, I raised a hand. “I’m driving and we’re heading to Steve and Miri’s after this.”

Dad nodded and poured the scotch from my glass into his, making it well over half full. “Son,” he started.

“Dad,” I cut him off, not wanting a lecture.

He raised the glass to his lips and took a large swig of the amber liquid before asking if we were dating now.

I shifted from foot to foot. “No.”

“Do you intend to?”

Pinned with a look that made me feel ten years old again, I held his piercing green eyes. “Honestly, I’m not sure she wants to. It was a one off…” I gesticulated wildly while finding the right words. “I’m here for her and the baby no matter what. That’s a given.”

“Good,” he snapped, then took another swig.

I looked down at my socks, then jumped when his voice rang out. “Jesus, Jason! What were you boththinking?”

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