Page 61

“I-I’m so scared, Kalon. I-I’ve just turned thirty, this wasn’t part of my plan.”

It feels good to admit that out loud; I haven’t even shared my fear with Oakley. Then Kalon gives me everything in three words. “I’ve got you.” I always thought it’d be the I love you, but somehow, it’s the I’ve got you that calms me down. It quits the fear, the insecurity, the self-doubt. I sniffle and pull away just enough to look at him.

“I didn’t do it on purpose,” I tell him. “You probably thought I did it to trap you or something, but I d-didn’t. You can d-decide to walk away right now, and have nothing to do with us, and I w-wouldn’t fight you on it. I wouldn’t ask you for a dime.” I see a myriad of emotions flit through his eyes and over his features. The most noticeable of which is surprise. I’m sure he thought I got knocked up on purpose, that I would hitch myself to his wagon because he’s rich.

“You’re a constant surprise,” he murmurs. “We can’t change it now, and as much as I didn’t plan for another child, I’m not going anywhere unless you ask me to.”

I blink, and he lets go of me to wipe my tears. His gaze travels over my face, and then to the shirt I’m wearing.

“Is that mine?” he gives me a half-grin, that lopsided smile that very rarely makes an appearance.

“It is, and it’s my favorite.” I take in his appearance. “Wait, aren’t you supposed to be at the party?” I’d been so lost in everything that makes up me and Kalon, I completely forgot he had plans tonight.

His smile falls. “About that—” His phone rings, cutting him off. He frowns at the screen. “It’s Fallon,” he tells me, “I have to take this.” I nod, expecting him to step away completely, but he stays close.

“Fallon?”

I hear Fallon talking, and the longer he does, the faster Kalon’s expression changes. If I thought he was mad before, he’s now downright pissed.

“Calm down, son. I’ll be there soon, but until then, keep your mother on a damn leash, and don’t allow her near Tala.” He ends the call, his expression still troubled. “I need to get home. Will you come with me so we can finish this later?”

“Is Tala okay?” I ask, not thinking it through. He has yet to give me any indication that he knows about her being pregnant. His gaze is assessing.

“You know,” he states, though he doesn’t look angry about it. Not exactly.

I sigh. “We bumped into each other at the OB/GYN, and she spoke to me because she was worried I’d tell you.”

His exhalation is audible, as he shakes his head. “I don’t have time to deal with that right now. My ex showed up uninvited and started causing shit at the party. How fast can you get dressed?”

It takes me a minute to realize he still wants me to go with him. “Uh, ten minutes, but I’m not putting on a bra.”

He barks out a laugh, and for the moment, the tension is broken. I change into a pair of grey harem joggers and a white wrap top that has built-in support. I slip my UGG panther print sneakers onto my feet, then throw my hair up atop my head in a bun. Kalon is texting when I walk downstairs, and as soon as I have my purse, we leave.

“Where’s your car?” I ask, looking for his Porsche.

“I wasn’t at home, so I took a cab.” He throws his hand up and signals the lone cab driving in our direction. It stops, and Kalon opens the door for me. He tells the driver to go to 492 Broome Street, and as curious as I am, I don’t ask any questions. A short cab ride later, Kalon is helping me out the back and leading me, by hand, through a cafe and up an elevator to the fourth floor. The doors ding, opening to a breezeway. Kalon opens an apartment door, and we’re greeted by screaming. I spot Lycan and Fallon — who are both in various states of undress from the party — standing in front of Tala, while a tall, lithe, black-haired woman yells at them. My gut rolls. It has to be Kalon’s ex-wife, and the triplets’ mother. Tala sees us first, and her eyes brighten a little when she spots me.

“Channing!” Her eyes are red-rimmed, and puffy, and she shoves her way between Lycan and Fallon to reach me. Even in her gown, she moves quite fast. Kalon lets my hand go just as she launches herself at me.

Her body shakes as she cries, and I do the only thing I can think of — I hug her back, and say, “It’s okay, honey. You’re okay.” Kalon walks forward, his stance protective.

“Is that the whore?” the woman screeches. “You brought her here?”

“Tracey,” Kalon growls. A warning, I’m sure. But she doesn’t care.

“Does the stupid bitch know you had a vasectomy? You can’t get anyone pregnant, Kalon. She just wants your money, she wants to take away what belongs to my children. And look at her! She’s twelve!”

Tala whips around, keeping a firm grip on my hand. Okay, I guess we’re doing that now. “Mom, you don’t even know her! If anyone is a gold digger here, it’s you! We’re twenty-one now, and you still think you’re entitled to Daddy’s money!” My eyes almost bug out at the way Tala speaks to her mother. Mine would back-hand me if I ever spoke back to her.

“Oh, please, Tala. You are no better than this harpy,” Traceyflings her bejeweled hand in my direction, “Pregnant at your age, no college degree, and no husband to help you. I didn’t know I raised a whore!”

“Tracey!” My eyes bug out some more because Fallon just called his mother by her name, and he looks ready to throttle her. “Don’t talk to Tala like that. Not in front of me, not ever. Dad’s too polite to put you in your fucking place, but I’m not.”

She gasps. “Fallon! I’m your mother, how dare you!”

“You weren’t anything but a fucking incubator,” Lycan remarks. “Dad did all the heavy lifting. And if you think you can talk to my sister like that in front of me — in front of us — you can find the damn exit, and leave.”

Tracey looks at Kalon. “You’ve turned them against me, Kalon. Maybe if they’d spent the summer with me, our daughter wouldn’t be knocked up, and our sons would have more respect for their mother.”