I look at Reid, who is staring at the boy in shock. “No way,” he says suddenly, looking freaked out. When he stands there and does nothing but gape, I tell them to come in. We all walk into the living area and sit there awkwardly. Mia sits the kid down next to her on the couch.
Moments ago, I would have sworn my life was perfect.
“He’s yours,” Mia says, looking worried, but also a little smug.
Feeling like I’m suddenly intruding I say, “I’m going to leave you guys alone for a second.” I stand up until Reid pins me with a glare.
“Sit, I need you here, Summer.”
“No, let her leave, she doesn’t have anything to do with this,” Mia says, her eyes narrowing to slits.
“She has everything to do with this,” Reid sneers. His face softens when he turns to me, his eyes pleading with me to stay.
“Why don’t I take…” I trail off, realizing we don’t even know the kids name.
“River,” she replies stiffly. She looks like she doesn’t want me near her son, but she also desperately wants to talk to Reid alone.
“River, why don’t you come with me? I’ll show you my Ninja Turtle toys,” I say, ignoring the curious look from Reid and the hostile one from Mia. Even though she's throwing daggers my way, and probably thinking up ways to kill me, she gives me a slight nod, letting me know it’s okay to take him.
River grins at me, so I walk over and awkwardly lift him into my arms. Reid broke up with Mia two years ago, so he must be a year and a couple of months old. He feels heavy in my arms, and I lift him higher, holding him closer. I don’t wanna drop the poor kid. I can feel both their eyes on my back as I walk to my room, pushing the door open with my foot.
I sit River in the middle of the bed, then shake my head, thinking that that can’t be a very good idea. I put him on the carpet, and then reach under the bed for my favourite childhood toys. I pull out the plastic container, and peep inside, looking for my favourite Donatello figurine.
“Uh huh!” I cheer as I find it. Making sure nothing can come loose on him, I hand him over to River. River stares at him, blinking furiously. Then he picks him up and throws him as far as he can, which ends up being about a metre.
Poor Donatello.
“Not a TMNT fan, huh? I don’t think we can be friends, kid,” I say, grinning. River walks over and pulls out a doll, making a face. Then, ignoring the toys, he walks to my side table and starts pulling my TV remotes. Reid walks in as I’m trying to gently pry the remote from his pudgy little hands. I look up at him, and I know my eyes are full of questions.
“She says he’s mine. And looking at him, I can’t really deny it,” he says, his brow furrowing.
“Okay,” I say. I mean, what else am I supposed to say? It is what it is, right?
“Are you okay with this?” he asks me, and I want to scream.
“Yeah, this is just how I imagined my day going,” I say sarcastically. I pick up River, and hand him to Reid. Reid holds him away from his body, as if he has no idea what to do with him. And I guess he doesn’t.
“Why’d she keep him away from you?”
“She said I wasn’t in a good place after Reece died, and she was protecting River,” he says.
What a bitch.
“You should go, Reid, get to know your son,” I say, giving him a sad smile.
“Summer-”
“Go, Reid, I was gonna take a nap anyway,” I say, trying to sound convincing.
“Okay, I’ll be back tonight,” he says, kissing me on the lips before pulling away. He hesitates at the door, turning back and watching me.
“I’ll see you tonight,” I say, forcing a smile.
“I’m so lucky to have you, beauty,” he says softly, before walking away. I hear the front door close as they leave. Only then do I let my tears fall.
Reid doesn’t come back to see me that night.
Chapter Seventeen
Two days later I still haven’t seen him. Sure, I haven’t gone to his house either, but he’s the one who said he would come to see me. He’s been calling and texting every couple of hours, seeing what I’m up to, how I’m doing. Sometimes I reply, and sometimes I don’t. I know he's getting to know his son, and it makes me feel like a bad person to hold that against him. He wouldn’t be a good man if he didn’t want to make up for lost time with his own child. I may be selfish, but I can’t help how I feel.
I’m young, way too young to even consider having children yet. Not that I don’t love and want kids in the future, because I do. But there are things I want to do first. Travel the world, drink too much, and be spontaneous.
Things that I can still do, but not with Reid.
Our lives are suddenly heading in completely different directions, and my emotions are all over the place.
I’m trying to keep myself occupied, so I don’t become one of those girls lying in bed all day, feeling sorry for myself. Yesterday I spent the day with dad and Xander, and today after classes I go to the library to study. For once Silas is absent, and I find myself missing his company. I could use the distraction.
As soon as I walk into the bar, I want to scream at the looks of pity Tag and Jade are throwing my way.
“You okay?” she asks kindly, watching me with concern.
“I’m fine. Is Ryan back?” I ask her. Ryan had gone away with some woman for a few days, missing all the drama.
“Yeah, he’s coming back tonight. I don’t think he even knows what's going on,” she says, scrunching her nose up.