Page 3 of Manny's Surprise Baby

“Is this lifestyle really you?” I glanced at Colin.

“This is how the one percent lives, Pierce. Might as well enjoy it while you’re here.”

“Yeah, but don’t you feel weird in this environment? I mean, with your income, you live high enough without all of the extra stuff. Doesn’t this seem all too much? You have three people in the house, but you could fit a soccer team.”

“Riley worked hard to get to this point. He should get to enjoy the best life has to offer.” Colin’s voice was gruff and protective.

I shrugged. “Sure. Whatever.” I sat awkwardly in one of the chairs.

“Would you like iced tea or lemonade?”

“You mean you don’t have the nectar of the gods for me to drink?”

He frowned.

“Iced tea, please.”

He handed me Garrett, and I took the baby happily. I held the child so his feet were on my thighs, and I smiled at him. “You’ve got strong legs.” The baby bounced up and down smiling. “Is he walking yet?”

“He could, but he won’t do it without holding my hand.” He studied me with the baby. “I’ll go get the drinks. Be right back.”

I stood and circled the pool, pointing out to the baby all the pretty little yellow flowers on the hedge along the fence. He was very curious and wanted to touch everything. “I remember when you were first born. You were a big surprise to your daddies.”

Garrett mumbled a string of almost-words as he slapped happily at the vines.

Colin came back outside carrying two glasses of tea and a sippy cup. He set everything on the table, and I moved back toward him. Colin took Garrett from me and gave the baby the plastic cup.

“Isn’t Riley going to join us?” I sat and took my glass from the table.

“He has a practice. He’s adding some new songs to his show, and he wants it to be perfect.”

“That’s convenient.”

Colin frowned. “Meaning what?”

“Maybe he’s trying to avoid me.”

“He’s not. But could you blame him if he was? You’re kind of hard on him.” Colin sipped his tea, pinning me with his astute gaze.

“I’ll warm up to him eventually.” I smirked. “If he sticks around.”

“God, you’re a jerk.” His smile softened his words.

“I just worry for you.”

“You should be concerned about yourself.” He set his tea down. “Why’d you leave the compound? I thought you were happy there?”

“I was happyish. But I can’t live there forever. Two years was long enough. I need to get back into the real world for a while. I’d been up in the mountains so long, sometimes I felt like I was hiding. I don’t like that feeling. I don’t want to be weak and afraid.”

“There’s nothing weak about you.”

“I guess.”

His gaze softened. “The omegas will miss you.”

“I’ll miss them too. But I felt restless, and that’s no good for anybody.”

“Okay. Fair enough. It’s time for the next chapter of your life.” He smiled.