It looked like a kid’s party.
I kept walking to the back of the house like Birdy had instructed.
The smell of barbecue hit me first. Then I saw a bounce house, folding chairs, little girls running in tutus, faces painted,laughing loud.
What the fuck?
Then anotherwhat the fuck. I remembered Avian’s birthday wasn’t until February—it was August. I ran that through my head again as I stepped onto the grass.
This wasn’t her party. What was she up to?
Then my eyes landed on Jordin. My heartbeat tripled.
She was standing near the porch, a summer dress hugging her just right, hair wild and soft around her face, smile lighting up for whoever she was talking to.
Time didn’t touch her. Or maybe it did, but it made her softer, fuller, better.
I didn’t breathe.
I didn’t blink.
My chest got tight as hell.
I couldn’t even lie to myself in that moment. I missed her. Missed her so deep it felt like my ribs couldn’t expand right.
My feet moved in her direction before I could think, but just as I was approaching, I was snatched back. I spun and came face to face with Oak.
“What the fuck are you doing here?” His voice was sharp. Low, but loud enough to sting. “We haven’t seen you in four years, and now you just show up?”
I lifted a brow, trying to keep it cool even though my chest was tight. “Damn, relax. Avian invited me.”
His jaw ticked. He wasn’t trying to hear it. I didn’t blame him. I had interrupted his life and then disappeared, leaving him to deal with Jordin. I owed him an apology.
I opened my mouth to respond, but Avian rushed over, sliding between us.
“Stop, Oak,” she said, voice tight. “He should know. That’s why I invited him before it’s too late, if it isn’t already.”
“Know what?” I asked, my gaze still locked on Jordin across the yard. She hadn’t seen me yet.
Avian looked me dead in my face, hesitating before spitting it out.
“Jordin had your baby.”
Everything stilled.
My ears rang. The world tilted. Like my brain couldn’t hold that shit at first.
“What?” I breathed.
Oak groaned, frustrated. “This ain’t how she wanted to tell you.”
“What?” I turned to him, eyes sharp. “That’s impossible. I had a vasectomy. Jordin would’ve told me.”
Oak’s jaw clenched. “She tried. She called you a thousand times. I told her to stop hurting herself trying with you. You made it clear you didn’t want her.”
I stumbled back a step, suddenly needing air. Too much. Too fast.
I turned and walked away. Fast. Didn’t even know where I was going, I just needed to get the fuck out of there.
