Tame the Beast : Small Beach Town, Single Mom Romance

I’m a fucking idiot.

I look down. Of course she’s not my baby! Our night was six months ago, yet I somehow convinced myself that it was enough time. Zoe did nothing wrong, come to think of it, she did try to tell me something a few times but every time she was interrupted.

Happy. I should be happy. I should hand over the baby and run the hell away from here.

I should forget all that nonsense that I’ve conjured up in my head over the past few hours. I should go celebrate that my fun and easy days are not over. I should go out, drink, and get laid.

I should not be fighting this tightness in my chest. Or look at the most perfect woman who was—after all—just a one-night stand and has a whole beautiful life without me. I shake off the ease with which I came into this role that was never mine, just because it was Zoe who was pregnant.

I lower my eyes to Mellie, memorizing every little detail about her.

Fuck, Matteo, what the hell? This is not you. You were never meant for this kind of life.

Then why does it feel like I’ve just ripped away a part of my soul when I passed a peacefully sleeping Mellie into Zoe’s arms?

I clear my throat, force a smile that has no business being forced and get up from the bed.

“Yeah. Of course. I really shouldn’t have jumped to weird conclusions like that.” I wet my lips, fighting the urge to scream or throw something at the wall or better yet, curse myself for putting me in this situation.

Snap the fuck out of it, Matteo.

I take one last look at Mellie, force another smile for Zoe without really seeing her and turn for the door. “You take care, okay? And I guess…I’ll see you around.”

I don’t look back. I don’t wait for Zoe to say anything back. She probably thinks I’m batshit crazy, thinking I’m the father of her baby. Hell, there is a real dad somewhere out there who would probably kill me for sharing this special moment with his girls.

Fuck…why does that thought hurts so bad?

As soon as the door behind me closes, I fall against the wall, sliding down until my butt hits the floor, close my eyes, and take a deep breath. “This is the best-case scenario, Matteo.”

But then my little girl sends a piercing cry that shoots straight through my chest and I’m wondering who the hell am I trying to fool…

***

“Matteo? Son?” I hear my mom’s voice and turn her way where she is standing with the same group in the waiting room.

“Oh, hey, you guys are still here?” I know I shouldn’t sound like my world has just ended but for the love of cocktails, I cannot muster a single smile. Even the forced ones I just gave Zoe.

It seems like I’m all out.

“Of course we are. How is it going in there?” They are all looking at me expectedly and I realize no one has told them that the baby—Mellie—was born. All seven pounds zero ounces and nineteen inches of her. With fuzzy blonde hair and the softest skin.

I blink back the stupid emotion trying to break free. “Oh, sorry, I thought someone told you. The baby was born,” I tell them, and hear the collective sigh of relief. “She’s healthy and beautiful.”

“Now, can I go in to see my friend?” Joy narrows her eyes at me, and I simply step aside, gesturing for her to go ahead. She looks at me for a second and then starts walking but just as she’s passing by me, some insanity takes over my limbs and I grab onto her wrist, halting her.

“Take care of them, okay?” I whisper, holding her gaze until she nods and starts walking again.

I turn to see everyone watching us curiously, but I just don’t have the mental capacity for anyone else today.

I need to go sleep and wake up back to my old, usual self.

Love Hive:

Kevini’mnotNerds: Where is that little bastard? How could he leave her all alone again?

Thoughtolove: God, I love it when you get all angry.

CookieJ: Who do you mean, Kevin?