“Layla, there’s something…” I try to say before I’m cut off.
“Aren’t you handsome, Jye! You are just…” I gulp when she trails off. She looks up at me, and back down at Jye. “Oh, dear,” she says.
“Layla…” I start.
“Sasha! Why didn’t you tell me?” she demands in a hushed voice.
“Tell you what?” I ask her, playing stupid. I want to see if we’re talking about the same thing here.
I grimace when she pinches me. “He is the spitting image of James! Add a lip ring and blond hair and they would be twins!” she hisses, outraged. I can’t help but giggle at that mental picture.
“What's so funny?!” she asks as she picks Jye up into her arms and cuddles him.
“Nothing,” I mumble.
“I guess I’m his Aunty squared then.”
“Layla. I can explain,” I assure her.
“Please do. I want to know why you didn’t tell me, or anyone? Why didn’t you tell James? He's gonna be pissed. Definitely going to complicate things with his girlfriend,” Layla says that last bit to herself.
I gulp. I obviously learnt the hard way that James has women in his life, but hearing the term girlfriend in conjunction with him still hurts. Layla must see my expression because she rubs my back, comforting me.
“I shouldn’t be here, Layla. If James has a girlfriend, I don’t want to interrupt their lives. I’m taking Jye and going somewhere else,” I tell her, my mind made up. I turn around, about to walk to the ticket counter when I come face first with a wall. Okay, maybe not a wall. I cringe when I look up at Chase.
“Like hell you are,” Chase says, and if I were a lesser woman, I might have cowered at the iciness in his tone.
Layla gives me an apologetic look as Chase eyes me, then turns to Jye. Jye looks up and stares Chase down, taking a step closer to me and wrapping his arms around my leg. Chase chuckles.
“Definitely my nephew,” he says when Jye sticks his tongue out at him.
I sigh. “I can explain.”
“Come on, let’s get in the car, and then you can explain. You aren’t going anywhere, my brother deserves to know he has a son,” he says, his voice gaining steel.
I open my mouth, and then close it, knowing that arguing is futile. Chase asks me which bags are ours and collects them for us, then carries them and puts them in his car boot. I put Jye in Cole’s car seat. After he's safely buckled in, I take a seat next to him and do my own seat belt. Ten minutes into the drive, Chase starts, “Why would you do something like this, Sasha?” he asks in a confused tone.
“I found out I was pregnant while I was overseas. Yes, I may have held a grudge but eventually I tried to call James to tell him but he didn’t answer. I left messages with Layla and Nikki, but he obviously couldn’t be bothered to call me back!” I say defensively. Chase glances over at Layla, who nods, confirming my story.
“I told James Sasha's been trying to reach him and that she sounded nervous,” Layla says.
“You could have tried harder,” Chase says, looking at me in his review mirror.
“Get off your high horse, Chase!” I say, not appreciating his judgement.
Chase sighs, and gentles the tone of his voice. “He’s our family, too.”
“I know,” I whisper.
“Have you been managing okay? You know if you ever need anything, money…”
“I’m fine, Chase,” I interrupt. He nods once, and then stares out at the road. It’s silent for a few minutes until he continues, “Layla said you’re looking for a place to rent. You know I own another apartment in our building. Nikki stayed there for a bit, until she and Kade got back together, now they have their own place. You can stay there as long as you need.”
“It’s empty?” I ask him. As kind as his offer is, I don’t want to kick anyone out. I can’t help thinking that must mean James is staying in that big house by himself now.
“It’s been empty since Nikki left. We can move you in tomorrow,” he tells me.
“Okay, if it’s not a problem that would be great. I left all my belongings at my parents before I left for Scotland,” I tell them.
“We can go and get everything tomorrow, I’ll hire a small moving van,” Chase offers.
“Okay, and Chase,” I say, fiddling with the hem of my shirt.
“Yeah?”
“Thanks.”
“No problem, what's family for, right? Besides, there isn’t anything I wouldn’t do for my nephew,” he says, affection lacing his voice. I will my eyes not to tear up. Who knew under all that bossiness was a kind-hearted man? Certainly not me.
Chase drops us off at my parents' and says he’ll come over in the morning to help move my belongings. I hug him and Layla, thanking them both. They both kiss Jye, before the two of us head to my parents' front door. Before I can even knock, the door flies open and my mother runs out and wraps her arms around Jye.
“Look at my handsome grandson! I finally get to meet you! You are so big!” she says, her words rushed.
“Well, hello to you too, mum,” I say in mock indignation. She doesn’t even glance up at me as she kisses Jye on his cheeks repeatedly. Finally, she looks my way, her hazel eyes narrowed on mine. “You'd think I raised you better, Sasha Crawford! Keeping my grandson from me for this long!” even as she lectures me, she walks forward and wraps me in her arms.