Page 39 of Devotion: Isn't What It Seems (Love Isn't What It Seems 1)

Colin narrowed his eyes on me and before he spoke up, something behind me caught his and Ainslee’s attention. I turned around to see what they were staring at and I gasped.

Lachlan was basically dragging the blonde woman over to me.

“Eve,” Lachlan's voice was dripping with anger. “Layla wanted to apologize.”

I shifted uncomfortably from one foot to another. I wanted no part of whatever was going on here.

“No worries,” I muttered glancing between the two.

Layla acted defiant but there was a glimpse of fear in her eyes.

Lachlan shook her arm, not rough, but strong enough to get a whimper out of her.

“Lachlan,” I pleaded softly, my eyes locked with his. “Please stop. It’s not a big deal. Honestly.”

“Apologize, Layla,” he strained through his teeth, as if I hadn’t spoken at all.

“Sorry, Eve,” Layla finally let out.

“It’s ok,” I told her, wishing for all of this to be over.

I wasn’t sure what got Lachlan so mad and pushed him over the edge. There was clearly something between the two. I glanced back at Colin and noted displeasure written all over his face.

But all that was forgotten as I heard a happy child’s scream. A little boy, roughly two years old, with fire red hair ran over full speed and threw himself into Ainslee’s arms.

“There you are, Mommy,” he squealed happily. I stared at the little human wrapped in his mother’s arms. “Hi Granny,” he added, glancing at Margaret.

My hands started to shake and I folded them together, trying desperately to keep myself together.

“Hello, my baby,” I heard Ainslee greet him warmly. “Did Daddy bring you back?”

A tall, blonde man came up, his serious face only on Ainslee and his child.

“Yes,” the little boy answered. “He will stay for the concert when you sing.”

As in a haze, I absentmindedly noticed a glance Ainslee and the tall, blonde man shared.

She turned to me. “Eve,” she started. “This is my son, Bram. And this is his father, Callen.”

“Hello,” I greeted them in a shaky voice, my eyes never leaving the boy, everyone else forgotten. “Are you two?” I asked, my voice trembling.

“Yes,” Bram answered, intelligence visible in his clear gaze.

I’m doing good,I thought to myself.I’m keeping it together. Focus on now.

“Do you have a son I can play with?”

His innocent question broke something inside of me. I wanted to cry, but no tears came. I wanted to scream, but no sound came. My little boy would have been two now. A despair and overwhelming sadness took over, as my thoughts left now and went back to before.

Dark eyes and dark curls were always the first thing everyone noticed on Hayden. I haven’t spoken that name out loud. I barely could think it. My baby’s smile always made everything better. I could still smell him at times, that special baby smell, and feel his hugs with those chubby hands. What I wouldn’t give to hear his baby voice one more time?

“Hello,” Ainslee’s son was getting impatient.

“No,” my voice shook. “I don’t have anyone for you to play with.”

“Stop staring at the kid. You’ll freak him out,” It was Layla’s shrill voice that snapped me out of it.

I looked around, seeing them all but not really noticing anything. I had to get away.

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