Page 3 of Nine Month Contract
I’m still tormented at the thought of my only niece moving away. If I could take Everly to court and sue to keep her right here in Colorado, I would. Our girl in another country without all of us there to look out for her is unthinkable to me. My body tenses at the idea of something bad happening to her. Or hell, even someone just hurting her feelings. I can’t believe Max said yes to letting her go that far away to college when perfectly good colleges exist right here in the same state.
“Dad,” Everly exclaims, her tall six-foot frame striding toward us. “Don’t you go blaming them for this…it was all my idea!”
“That’s what I said,” Calder confirms with a guilty shrug toward Everly. “Sorry, kid, but one broken nose in my lifetime is enough.”
“You’re welcome for that,” Luke says with a smug grin. “Hi, Evie girl.”
“Hi, Uncle Luke,” Everly says sweetly, then turns her attention to me, hitting me with those clear blue eyes I’d give my life for. “Uncle Wyatt…don’t you be mad at Calder either. This was all me. You’re not having any luck finding a surrogate in Denver. That agency clearly doesn’t see you for all that you are, or you would have been matched by now, so I think it’s time you tried a new plan.”
“What plan?” I ask, feeling suddenly bone-tired at the idea of discussing this huge life-changing decision I’ve made with my entire family…again.I’m already exhausted by this process, and I only had to jack off into a cup once so far to ensure that my swimmers are good.
My boys are gold medal swimmers…or so that old fertility doctor told me. But what’s not earning me any medals is having to deal with my family’s fucking input during nearly every step of this process.
“I think I can find you a surrogate,” Everly says, her jaw taut with determination. “Someone who’s perfect for this job.”
“Evie,” I say, but she holds her hand up to shush me. So, I shush.
“Just give me one week,” she says, her youthful eyes flaring with so much grit I can’t help but root for her. “Next week is my spring break, and I will interview the viable candidates who reply to the ad and see if anyone might be a good fit for this project. I’m certain I can find you someone special you’ll never be able to say no to.”
I shake my head. “Everly, I have another appointment at that agency on Monday. I could find someone then.”
“Then we’ll cancel my plan, and this will all be for nothing. No biggie.”
“Everly,” Max expels under his breath. “Finding a surrogate for Uncle Wyatt is a very big deal. It’s real life, which is why he’s going through the proper channels and trying to hire a professional from an agency. You’re too inexperienced to understand all this.”
“Please, Dad.” Everly scoffs casually. “I’m not even a virgin.”
Calder screams. Literally screams. It echoes off the foothills, likely sending all the wildlife scrambling.
Luke stumbles and nearly drops to the ground, his shoulders rising and falling as he braces himself on his knees and pants heavily, a look of disgust smeared across his face.
Max’s jaw drops with horror as he stammers with what to say back to that very unexpected bomb his only daughter just dropped.
And I remain frozen, begging for a time machine to take thismoment away immediately. Or, better yet, go back in time to whoever fucked my niece so I can kill that person before he has a chance to ever lay his eyes on her.
“Who is the fucker?” I rumble, my voice low and threatening. “Was it that Hilow prick who took you to prom last year? I thought you two broke up.”
“We did,” Everly exclaims defensively.
“Oh my God,” Max groans, looking like he’s going to be violently ill at any second.
“It was a one-night stand?” Calder coughs as he rakes his hands through his hair. “I knew I was a bad influence on you. I never should have hung out with you so much. I’m a dirty, filthy, disgusting, rotten pig. I’m never having sex again. This is my vow to—”
“Uncle Calder…get over yourself,” Everly drawls, her eyes rolling to the back of her head. “All of you, get over yourselves. This isn’t about me. It’s about Uncle Wyatt, who has dedicated so much of his life to making sure I was happy and loved and protected. Now it’s my turn to do something for him.”
My body stills with the weight of her words. Goddammit, when did she get so mature? The little girl we all helped raise is gone, and I’m looking at a woman now. A strong, independent, headstrong woman who I am so proud of my heart could burst. I turn around so she can’t see the tears forming in my eyes, my jaw clenching with humiliation over the power this teenager has over me. It will kill me not to see her whenever I want next year.
Her footsteps are soft as she comes close and wraps her tiny, manicured hands around my arm and rests her head on my shoulder. She used to have to stand on my feet to dance with me. This is so fucked.
“I know I won’t be able to find you love, Uncle Wyatt. You’ve made it crystal clear that’s not what you want in life. But please, let me be a part of helping you become a dad before I go.” She stands on her tiptoes to kiss me on the cheek and whispers in my ear, “Because I know you will make an amazing one.”
Well, fuck.
UnclesinNeedofEpicLove:3
Operation Mountain Man Matchmaker is officially underway.
First order of business…find Uncle Wyatt awife.
