Page 148 of Shade
“How’d you come up with the name Berlin?” I ask.
Ricky grins and proudly says, “That’s where I knocked her up at.”
“Ricky!” Willa gasps. “Why would you tell them that?”
Shade rocks the baby back and forth like a pro. “Don’t sound so surprised. He’s a dirty motherfucker just like the rest of us.”
I’m not paying any attention to them any longer because guess who’s holding a baby.
Shade.
The thing is, he is a natural holding her, not tense like you’d imagine a twenty-one-year-old man to be. It’s as if he’s held thousands of babies.
I’m not sure what my expression is, but it’s alarming enough that Willa elbows me. “Stop biting your lip.”
Easier said than done. Shade smiling + sweet baby girl in his arms = ovary explosion.
I never wanted to have kids until today. Now I’ll have his litter.
Litter? Really, Scar? Couldn’t think of anything better? He’s not a dog.
Well, that’s debatable at times. Let’s not forget when he kicked over his bike.
All I know is being on a plane with Shade, without his brothers, will prove to be the biggest test of my employment. I’m sure of it.
I lean into Shade, sneaking another peek at the baby before I whisper, “I can’t believe you stole a baby from me.”
Shade smirks. “All girls love me.”
Ain’t that the fucking truth.
