"Well, there's no time like the present.” She pats my shoulder. “I'm going to offer to push Matty on the swing and hope it wins me some brownie points with him while you call her back and explain all that."
"Thanks. You’re so kind." I glare at her as she rushes to her feet. She blows me a kiss and goes chasing after Matty.
I’m about to hit re-dial when the phone lights up again, my mom’s name illuminated on the screen. Here goes nothing. "Hey Mom."
"Hey sweetie. It’s so good to hear your voice. You’ve been missing my call for the last few days.”
“Yeah, I'm sorry about that,” I say and kick at the mulch in front me.
“Is everything alright. How are you and Matty? It's been forever since I've heard your voices."
"We're good, Mom. The new job has me on my toes.” To say the least.
“Yes, the new job. I want to hear all about it. It’s why I’ve been so eager to hear from you. I’m so proud of you. How’s it been?”
I clear my throat. “It’s good.”
“Just good?”
“Uh-huh,” I mumble, as I nervously play with the dolphin pendant on my necklace.
“I have to tell you. I was on the Google today.”
“It’s just Google, Mom.”
“Anyhoo, I looked up the business you’re working at. I didn’t hear from you, so I went sleuthing for myself to get some information. I have to say the CEO is one handsome man.” My mom whistles, and I roll my eyes.
"Seriously? You're checking up on me?"
“I’m not allowed to make sure you’re not working for some crazy person?”
Leave it to my mother to do something I should’ve done before I started working there.
“So, did you find anything I should worry about?”
“No, though I can't help but think I've seen him before. It's the craziest thing."
"Well, Mom—"
"It must have been on the news or the paper. He has made such a name for himself over the last few years. It’s been driving me crazy trying to place him.”
“Mom.”
“He does have a twin brother, that could be it. I tried asking your father, but he didn’t care." She rambles on and I throw my head back, wanting to scream.
"Mom…" I yell to interrupt her.
"What?"
"There's something I need to tell you."
"Okay?”
"He's Matty's father."
"Who?"
I roll my eyes. "For pity’s sakes, Mom. My new boss. Liam Morgan. It's why you think you've seen him before. He looks just like Matty."
“Honey, Matty looks just like you."
"Umm, maybe we do since you never had anyone else to compare him too."
"Hold on…"
I sigh as the line goes quiet. After spending twenty-seven years with this woman I know just what she's doing, she's grabbing her computer so she can compare.
My eyes drift over to the playground to watch Terry push Matty in the baby swing. He's squealing up a storm as Terry makes faces at him every time he comes at her.
I'm not sure how long I'm on hold when the line rustles and my mom pipes back in. "You still there?"
"Yes. I'm here."
"You’re right. Matty does look like your boss. Those eyes."
“Well, thanks for believing me now.”
“I'm sorry, I'm just in shock. Did you know this the whole time?”
“No. Of course not.”
“Have you told him?”
“I did. It took a few days to work up the guts.”
“How did he take it?”
“Better than I expected. Besides the small fact he doesn't remember our night together. So, he requested a DNA test.”
“How did you take that?”
“Understandable. We did them this morning.”
“Are you sure it was him? Matty and him might have some similarities, but a lot of people look like each other.”
“I'm sure. The night is imprinted into my memory. I know I told you I was drunk, but there’s some things tequila can’t wash away.” I can’t erase the image of the lost look he had in his eyes that night. The same one he still carries around now. “It’s him, trust me,” I say resigned.
“Are you ready for him to be a part of your and Matty’s life? If that’s something he wants. It's going to be a huge change. Not just for Matty, but you too,” she tells me, and the nervous butterflies start forming in my belly again.
“If it’s what he wants. Matty already adores him.”
“Is he a good guy though?”
“From what I know of him.”
“Then that's all that matters. You call me when you find out?”
“I will. I promise.”
“Your dad sends his love and give ours to Matty. I'll call back later, and we'll get on the Skype thingy.”
CHAPTER SEVEN
LIAM
I'm trying to finish up a data report, but I find my eyes drifting over to Holly's background check. Jaxson mailed it over yesterday and I spent hours combing through it trying to find some sort of red flag.
But there's nothing.
Besides her bank account having fewer zeros than mine, nothing glaring pops out that screams opportunist.
She's perfect. Even on paper.
She got a three-point-five all through college, never been in trouble with the law. Her clients love her and she funded her own startup with the money she saved.
Jaxson managed to obtain some old photos of her from an inactive Facebook account, ranging from her college days to ones of her with a young Matty. He also snuck one of her in a red bikini, with a post-it note attached to it that read: Enjoy.
Which I have, many times for recreational purposes late at night because my dick only gets hard at the thought of her.
Even with everything going on I still find her as addicting as the day I saw her outside the Tilted Keg.
There’s a light tap on my door and Mary steps into my office holding a white envelope and another cup of coffee. “This came for you just now, Mr. Morgan. It was labeled urgent.”
“Thank you, Mary.” I take the envelope from her and it is stamped with the Woodfield clinic insignia. This is it.
She places the coffee down on my desk. “Is there anything else I can get you, sir?”
“Yes. Hold my calls,” I tell her, not able to look up from the typed black inked on the front of the envelope. My entire future could change based on what lays inside.
“Sure thing, Mr. Morgan.”
Once the door clicks closed behind her, I rip open the envelope. With shaky hands, I slide the papers out and unfold them. I scan through the contents, bypassing all the science and going straight to the bottom where my fate sits:
Probability of Paternity: 99.98%
My elbows fall to the desk as I remain transfixed on the bold printed words. It's all surreal. I'm a father. I'm Matty’s father. The little boy who calls me Li-um, who loves cars, and hates the idea of lemon-raspberry lollipops as much as I do, is mine.