Chapter 3

It had kept us apart for a lot of the time, which had been good for us up until that fateful night. Back then, I had disliked and resented his business and job.

I still didn't think it was a great idea to take Leo to AJ's, but they all objected.

and I was aware that kids did frequently visit with their parents. It was in fact a traditional neighborhood bar.

I continued to be dubious as Jason raised Leo in his car seat above the heads of some customers leaving AJ's. "Jason, I don't know," I said.

They all stopped to chat behind us, so they must have known mom and dad. Jason kept us moving, and I was compelled to have

It gave me the impression that the three of us were a family and I secretly yearned for that.

I slid in next to Leo while Jason sat down across from us in a booth after setting down Leo, who was sucking on a bottle and watching everything. 

The bar was quite crowded, but the majority of patrons were standing up next to the bar in rows three deep. Leo was enthralled 

I supported his endeavor to sit up after he struggled in the unfamiliar environment.

Hey, buddy, huh, that's cool stuff, said Jason to Leo.

I had observed that Leo would pay attentively whenever Jason's booming voice could be heard.

Jason then turned to face me.We'll give everyone their fifteen minutes, and then we'll look for a reason to go.

I gave him a thankful glare.

It gave me the impression that the three of us were a family and I secretly yearned for that.

I slid in next to Leo while Jason sat down across from us in a booth after setting down Leo, who was sucking on a bottle and watching everything. 

The bar was quite crowded, but the majority of patrons were standing up next to the bar in rows three deep.

Leo was enthralled with the I supported his endeavor to sit up after he struggled in the unfamiliar environment.

Hey, buddy, huh, that's cool stuff, said Jason to Leo.

I had observed that Leo would pay attentively whenever Jason's booming voice could be heard.

Jason then turned to face me.

We'll give everyone their fifteen minutes, and then we'll look for a reason to go. I gave him a thankful glare.

Thank you, Jason. I was looking at Jason's profile as he turned to face the bar.

He no longer shaved his thicker whiskers twice daily as he formerly did, therefore he now had the shadow that many men wore. It was good, damn him. He appeared much hotter as a result.

I briefly looked at Leo to stabilize him as he wavered before looking away.

I told Jason, "Really, congratulations." Murray reported that you sold your business.

Jason swiveled to face me. He questioned, "That's all he said?"

I replied, "Yeah," unsure of what more to say.

But Jason only gave me a hard-looking stare. I said, "So I hope you're happy about it," because I knew how hard he had worked.

Jane, it's not as easy as just selling the business, Jason said.

He immediately piqued my interest, but we were cut off by the cocktail waiter before he could complete his sentence.

“Jason! I can't believe it's you, oh my God! At least Roxanne Zimmer used to be Zimmer in high school, and she cried, "It's been so long.

She used to date Jason and be the chief cheerleader.

She continued, "Here with your little sister," in a voice that she had always used with me and that was almost snobby.

In order to say what we usually said—that Jason and I were separate people—I opened my mouth at the same time Jason did.

However, as we exchanged glances, it appeared that we had reached a silent understanding that

We didn't need to constantly remind people that we were older and adults because we were both. Their problem, not ours, was it. We encountered plenty of problems. Believe me.

It's "You work here?" Jason questioned, and his tone suggested that he couldn't believe how the powerful had fallen. I wanted to hug him at that point. Immediately Roxanne understood.and her cheeks turned scarlet as her back straightened.

It's only temporary, she yelled. She continued, "I'm simply trying to help them. However, you have grown too big for this small town's drama. 

It's offensive if that is you and your sister's, she added in an angry voice as she turned to face the infant.

The last part of what she said was audible to the entire bar.My chest tightened when I heard them and noticed some heads turning in our direction.

Jason's eyes began to blaze, and his lips hardened. Not fucking going to even respond to that shit, but if you want to be a decent waitress, bring us two long necks.

Jason forcefully stated, "Fucking place has turned into a dive, and I'm not sure Leo should go there," while turning his enraged gaze to me and blocking Roxanne's view.

be present. Roxanne let her an indignant cry before swerving aside. I couldn't control the chuckle that escaped my lips. I reached across the table and took Jason's hand.

I said, half in a whisper and half in an exclamation, "I've wanted to get her for so long. That was amazing.

Jason's eyes and strong lips were no longer red with rage.

Rising quirked. Did feel somewhat good, boo. I feel like I should have apologized for dating her in the first place, but I was a teenager and the chance to view boobs was just too alluring.

A warm thrill raced through me as I bit my lip to control my laughter, and I could see Jason's eyes widen as he realized what he had just called me. His primary pet name for me.

 I tried to ignore the fact that he had addressed me by such a personal name as I jerked my palm away from his as if he had just burned me.

I instead shifted my attention to Leo and began to fuss over him.Then mom and dad stopped by for long enough for us to salute Jason with some cheap champagne. 

They thought to add a toast to my newborn, but local friends dragged them away.

Because our parents were sort of neighborhood barflies, Jason and I had to go through this as kids, and it didn't seem like anything had changed.

It seemed like they were making up for lost time until I realized mom hadn't been going to the bar since her and dad split up, and dad evidently hadn't come at all.

Both of them were laughing too loudly and acting inappropriately for they had just begun dating.

Jason threw some cash on the table before looking me in the eye. Let's get the f--- done. He paused before restarting.

"Let's damn well leave this place, boo."

This time, he used my pet name deliberately and without error, which caused parts of me to soften that I shouldn't have let to do so toward him. 

Trying not to swear in front of Leo only made the situation worse.

I wish I could tell him, God. I agree, handsome.

Jason was already reaching for Leo as I gulped in shock that I had called him one of my pet names. 

He had heard the slip, as evidenced by the smoldering sliding gaze in his eyes. I was aware that I shouldn't go with him. not by themselves. I ought to stay and brave the bar, but I've never had a lot of self control around Jason.

But just as we were about to leave the pub, Roxanne launched her final punch at us from the other side of the threshold, and a hammer came crashing down. Anyone can see that baby looks exactly like Jason.

I almost screamed, I snatched Leo away from Jason so I could flee. To do that, my entire body leaped.

Once we were outside on the sidewalk, it was very difficult to look up at Jason to determine how he was responding. I shouldn't have looked, and I shouldn't ever have returned home.

While Jane and Leo were being driven back to their parents' house, Jason remained silent the entire time. His thoughts were racing furiously.

After returning them to the house, he sat back and let Jane take care of Leo because he hadn't yet had a chance to do so.

She spent some time in the den because her old bedroom was too small for her to care for a baby there. Leo's diaper was changed, he was dressed in a onesie, and then the bottle was given.

Jason regarded Leo with increasing suspicion as he did so. Additionally, Jane became more uneasy as he continued to observe them.

Jason jumped to his feet and made his way over to Jane.

Looking down into her bottomless black eyes, he whispered, "Let me give him his bottle," and the terror he'd occasionally glimpsed in her was beginning to make more sense. 

Learn about my nephew, he continued, adding a little of sharpness to his deep voice.

Jane appeared prepared to grab Leo and flee. Jason almost became angry as a result of that, but he controlled himself and leaned down to touch the infant who might be his son.

When he was younger, he had done babysitting since he had a natural inclination to construct things and earn money.

He was thus capable of giving infant bottles.

 He was holding Leo in the crook of his arm as Jane gave him a look that expressed her anxiety and trepidation. Leo was ready to recline and was feeling sleepy.

The boy's eyelids fell to half-mast the instant he felt the nipple, and Jason felt it sharply in his chest. He attempted to sit down but nearly fell. He then avoided glancing back at Jane for fear that she would read his expression.