The Billionaire's Secret Love Child(64)

I nodded but was still curious about this mysterious company that she’d be keeping. No matter, though; as it was probably just a few friends from a knitting group coming by for dinner.

I pulled on my comfiest sweater and joined her downstairs, with my book in hand. She knew my habits and had already cleared off my favorite chair for reading.

The doorbell rang loud in the living room, and I did my best to look casual. Mother hurriedly paced to the door and tore it open. The frame of the figure standing at the door was much larger than I expected.

“Hello, Gladys. I hope you don’t mind if I brought my boys along. They’re going to have to meet sooner or later, I figured now is as good a time as any,” said the man.

Such an odd way to phrase it, and I wondered what he meant by ‘sooner or later.'

I stood from my chair, attempting to peer around the door to see who might be talking. Then I saw Rick walk inside the house.

Rick.

“What the hell are you doing here,” I asked, with my mouth agape.

Rick turned to find the source of the voice and squared up when he saw me.

“You’re the last person I expected to see here, how do you know Gladys?” he asked.

“I’m her daughter,” I replied coldly.

I gave him a stare that would kill a rhino in its step, but he looked unfazed by it. Then another young man strode into the house hoisted up by a pair of crutches.

“Who’s this, Rick?” I prodded.

“You could just ask me,” he started, “I’m Trenton, nice to meet you.”

He seemed so upbeat; I reached out to his outstretched hand and gave it a shake.

“So, this is your brother, Rick?” I asked.

They did look quite similar, but Trenton was younger and had more childish features, but still the same piercing blue eyes.

“Did you want to sit down, Trenton,” I asked.

He nodded, so I showed him to my reading chair. I think he liked it quite a bit as he sat his crutches beside the fireplace.

I stood partially alone with Rick in the walkway.

“If you tell my mom about what happened I will seriously kill you,” I said.

“I haven’t told a soul and don’t intend to start now,” he replied.

I stormed off to the kitchen to click off the stove. Steam billowed from the noisy kettle, so I removed it from the burner and started pouring myself a glass. Then I remembered my manners.

“Trenton, Rick, would you guys like some tea,” I asked curtly.

“Just me,” replied Trenton.

I fixed him a nice warm cup and brought a glass of water back for Rick. As I walked into the living room where they sat, I saw Trenton holding Rick inside a headlock. Rick was doing his best impression of being stuck, but it didn’t fool me.

“Geez, Trenton, you keep working out and you’ll be laying everyone flat.”

Trenton giggled.

I handed them their drinks and sat on the couch opposite them. My mother and the stranger at the door continued to chat in whispers until she finally came into the living room.

“Okay, we’re just going to come out and say it,” my mom said.

“We’re getting married!” added the man I’d never seen before.

I stared at the two with an expression of disbelief.

“Okay, mom, whatever you say,” I said.

Rick stood up and walked over to his dad, taking him in for a big hug.

“I’m sure mom would be proud that you’ve finally moved on,” he said.

I couldn’t tell from the distance, but I thought I caught a glimpse of tears forming at the edges of his eyes.

I stood and joined my mother. I had questions that needed answering.



4.

“It was incredibly cute; we were at a singles dance night at the community center. My partner had wandered off and was flirting with another girl, so I found myself raiding the punch bowl.

“While I was over there, I noticed Bill looking over his shoulder to make sure nobody was looking. I did my best to look like I hadn’t noticed but apparently he knew I was watching.

“He pulled an entire bottle of Vodka from his coat and dumped it in the bowl. I laughed so hard that people started staring. And, when people started staring at me, they saw Bill still pouring the bottle.

“We ended up both getting kicked out of the dance, but we still spent the evening talking about old times.”

My mother kept her gaze on Bill the entire time she told the story; I did think it was, at least, a little cute. Still, they’re getting married, and that was difficult to wrap my head around.

“Why are you guys getting married so quickly? It’s only been a couple of months,” I asked.

“When you start getting up to my age, you start to realize that every second you have is a gift, and getting to send all those seconds with people you care about is worth more than gold,” added Bill.

I toyed with the glass of wine my mother poured for me for dinner. I hadn’t had any alcohol since my escapade at school, but I made a special excuse to drink with her as a toast.

“I’m happy for you, mom, I really am. But, this is going to take a little while to get used to. I think I’m going to turn in for the evening. Goodnight everyone,” I said.

Mother cleared her throat.

“Sweetie, Bill and the kids are going to spend the night tonight. Don’t be surprised if you wake up to strangers in the night,”