All Chapters of Deflected: Chapter 31 - Chapter 40

The realness of the situation hits me out of nowhere again, making me stumble on my feet enough that I have to grab the wall. I'm going to be a dadaí. Shaking my head, I smile at the thought that at times like this I feel a weird sense of joy run through my whole body. It sounds crazy, but it happens every once in a while. Finally regaining my balance, I dry off. Forget clothes. I'm exhausted. I'm clean. And I need to hold my wife immediately. The drive to get to her after being away so long is almost primal. And not just for sex. Of course, that's on my mind. But my higher reasoning also knows she needs her sleep. Finally, I get to crawl under the covers with her. Tiffany rolls over and snuggles into me before I even settle. It takes a second to get us both situated comfortably, but then my entire body relaxes into the mattress. I don't truly understand how tired I am until that sweet moment when all my muscles go slack. Almost immediately, my brain shuts off and I begin to fall und

Of all the people I expected to run into, Santos and Mariana and their kids are not it. But here they are, the entire DeLaGuajardo family right in front of us, all of us staring at each other in awkward silence. In a defensive move, Rowen immediately reaches for me and tucks me under his arm. I appreciate the gesture because I don't know what to do.I'm glad to see them together. I know how much Santos loves his family. But I was an active participant in that family breaking apart. It was all in the past, and I've forgiven myself as much as I can, but this is unexpected and, well, uncomfortable.I brace myself, expecting to be berated or maybe even punched. But Mariana does the last thing I expect her to do. She takes a big breath and says, "Pampers Swaddlers are really good when they're first born. Do you guys have a Sam's Club membership?"Shock runs through me. Is she having a civil conversation? After everything she went through? Everything I helped put her through? I'm stunned, bu

She punches me in the arm playfully. "Shut up. He's going to be beautiful."I'd settle for manly or handsome. Maybe has a great bend in his kick. But her assessment will work too.My dad walks back in the room, heading toward a tool box I didn't notice was on the floor. "That didn't take long.""The shelf didn't come with anchors for the wall. What kind of product that's supposed to hang doesn't come with the supplies to make it happen? Daoine dúr."Tiffany giggles at his bitching. "What did he say?" she whispers."He's dropping curses over whoever packed the box."She giggles again, this time covering her mouth with her hand. I don't get it, but she still thinks it's hilarious when he gets all riled up. We're still new enough in our relationship that we haven't had a bunch of time to get to know my parents as a couple, but I have a feeling holidays are going to be interesting when these two get on a roll.Da rats around for a few minutes longer until a huge clap of thunder makes him

Quincy turns to face me, pushing a stray hair behind her ear and sucking in a deep breath through her nose. I'm immediately on high alert. Somehow, I don't think I'm going to like what she's about to say."Is anyone throwing you a baby shower?"I groan and drop my head to the back of my seat. I change my mind. I prefer them whispering around me if it means not having this conversation."I'm going to take that as a no?" she says hopefully.Turning my head to look at her, I stay leaning back. I don't know if it's the massive amount of dairy I just consumed or the idea of being the center of attention at a party for a bunch of women who don't even like me, but my stomach begins to roll a bit. The only thing stopping me from giving a definitive no is the pleading look on her face. Dammit."Why do I have to have a baby shower? I can buy everything on my own."Not surprisingly, Geni rolls her eyes and Quincy snorts a laugh. "You would be surprised what kinds of crap you don't know you need u

I almost feel bad about leaving her to go be with the guys, but when I step outside, I quickly realize it's almost as bad out here as it is in there. No, there aren't decorations and ugly outfits, but apparently, my father has become the center of all conversation out here, and there's no telling what he's talking about."Hey, boyo!" my dad yells in greeting. "It's about time ye joined us. I'm regaling yer mates with stories of yer childhood."I groan, my hand reaching for a beer out of the cooler. My dad has plans to turn the porch into a fancy outdoor kitchen, but for now, we have to "rough it" with beer on ice instead of in a fridge."Did you really whip it out in the middle of a co-ed game to pee on the side of the field?" Christian asks, fist to his lips as he tries not to laugh."Hey, when you've gotta go, you've gotta go," Daniel retorts, making everyone burst out again.Rolling my eyes, I lean against the railing. "You guys really believe his stories? I was three, Da. It wasn't