Page 10 of Tight Ends & Tiaras
After holding up a third finger, he waves it at me like he’s a priest or something. “You have my blessing. Go have a nice night fucking the ex. Just remember the golden rules of hookups—no sleepovers and no bareback joyrides. Wrap it up tight!”
We all shudder. My roommates must be thinking about the same thing I am—the close call we had with that baby incident last year. All I can say is thank God the kid wasn’t mine. My spawn would probably end up as fucked up as I am, and I wouldn’t wish that on anyone.
I’m still mulling over Olly’s advice as I drive to the other side of town where Janelle’s staying.
I can’t decide if this plan is ingenious or idiotic. Maybe a combination of both.
It’s late. Almost midnight, but if this is a booty call, this is when that shit goes down. At least the rain has stopped.
When I pull into the parking lot of the motel, I pause, Sienna’s gorgeous face flashing through my mind for some reason. The smile she leveled me with this afternoon almost has me turning my Rover around.
I check my phone, but she never responded to my earlier text. Maybe her phone died. It’s a long flight.
If I’m being honest with myself, which I’m trying to do more of these days, she’s who I’d rather be hooking up with right now, but she’s very committed to that douchebag. So I have no reason to be feeling guilty showing up at Janelle’s door. If I know anything about Cal Winston, he’s banging Sienna on the regular. Hell, he felt her up right there on her front porch. Plus, I’m not sure how my sister would feel if she found out I hooked up with her bestie.
But when my ex opens the door, her somber expression and baggy sweats do not suggest we’re about to roll around naked.
Nor does the toddler asleep on the bed behind her.
I’m frozen as Janelle wraps her arms around me in a hug.
“I’ve missed you,” she coos in a baby voice.
I would not consider myself the paragon of virtue, but there’s no way I’m doing kinky shit with my ex while a kid sleeps a few feet away.
I’ve never seen her baby before. When I found out Janelle’s new guy had knocked her up, I did my best to eradicate thoughts of her from my life. It was too painful to see her move on when she’d promised me that future. I only vaguely inquire about her through my cousin Bianca when I plan trips home so I can avoid my ex.
As I take a good long look at the sleeping bundle, I stop breathing.
Ernest has blond hair. And Janelle has light brown.
My eyes are lasered on the kid, who has thick, black hair.
Much like mine.
Sweat breaks out on my body, and a giant lump forms in my throat.
I cough. “What the fuck is going on?”
Janelle wrings her hands, tears forming in her eyes. “That’s what I wanted to talk to you about. Why I needed to do this in person. It’s long overdue.”
But like all truly messed-up things in my life, I know the answer to my question before the words are out of her mouth.
“She’s yours, Ben.”
