I loved that my family took him in the way they did. Brock’s mom had left him and his dad when he was a kid, and with his dad having to work so many hours, this became his second home. We may not be blood, but he was my brother and always would be.
Caden let out a good-sized burp, and my mother awwed before pecking a light kiss against his forehead. Carmen rubbed his back. “You ready to go, big guy?” She lifted Caden from my arms, and I already missed the warmth of his tiny body snuggled against my chest.
I could only imagine what it would feel like to have my own one day. Just seeing Brock with his son told me it was pretty damn special.
Vivian and Carmen exchanged numbers as Brock slung a diaper bag across his chest.
“That’s a good look for you,” I joked.
“Haha. Wait until you have a kid, and you smell a violent aroma coming out of something that innocent while you’re out in public. You won’t care either if the bag is baby blue with yellow polka dots.”
“I look forward to it.” I went in for a hug. “It was good to see you.”
“You too.” He hoisted up the car seat. “Don’t be a stranger.”
“I won’t.”
We all said our goodbyes, and the air somehow became thicker once the door closed. My mother turned around, and my dad massaged her shoulders. “Why don’t you go relax? I can take care of the dishes.”
She leaned her head back, smiling up at him. “Thank you.”
“I don’t mind doing them.” Vivian tugged at her necklace. “You both cooked, and I know how stressful it can be to play host or hostess.”
“Oh, it’s not stressful for me.” My mother gave a curt smile. “I love doing this for my family.”
Was that a backhanded comment?
I gave my mother a warning glance before focusing on Vivian. “I’ll help you.”
Vivian loaded the dishwasher as I scrubbed down a pan.
“My mom is full of it,” I finally said. “She’s dog tired after today.”
“I’m not sure she likes me very much, or at least the idea of me dating you.”
I swiped one of her curls off her forehead. “Hey— it’s not you. She’s just bothered that I didn’t tell her.”
“No, I think she’s a little overprotective of her son, and I don’t blame her.” She washed her hands and dried them off with a towel. “Let me ask you this. Say you had a little girl, held her in your arms since she was a baby, burped her, nurtured her, taught her to walk and ride a bike, kissed her booboos… then one day she brings home a guy you think is a friend, but accidentally find out they’re having some secret affair she didn’t tell you about. How would you feel?”
Anger shot through my veins at the thought. “Her boyfriend and I would have alongtalk, that’s for sure.”
Vivian laughed. “See? Your mother just loves you, and us hiding it does seem shady.”
“What do you want to do?”
“Tell her the truth—that it happened unexpectedly, and we wanted to be sure before we head into a long-distance relationship.”
“Wantedorwantto be sure?”
“You know I can’t make promises. All I know is that I’m in love with you… and I really want to go all in and try a real relationship with you.”
I cupped her cheek. “You know you’re in love with me? There’s no doubt?”
She wrapped her arms around my waist. “I know without a doubt that I am very much in love with you.”
I leaned forward and softly kissed her lips, not caring if my parents or anyone caught us. She pressed closer to me, and I pulled away before I got too turned on. “How about we continue this upstairs in your room?”
“How about your room? You can show me your wand,” she said through a giggle.
