Page 10 of Who’s Your Daddy (Dadcoms #1)

Cal

“ A re you nervous?” I peer down at Murphy.

Is his backpack too big? It looks a little big for his body. Brian and Sully insisted it was the right size, so I went with it. Now I’m second-guessing myself.

Then again, since he’s enrolled in a small private school he won’t have to carry it from class to class.

Regardless, I can’t help but worry it’ll be too heavy or get in his way.

Sloane and T.J. aren’t here yet, and I don’t want to go in without them. It feels like my own first day of school all over again. Murphy tips his head back and squints up at me. “Should I be worried?”

“No, of course not,” I say quickly.

“You sure about that?” His lips flatten out, his questioning tone causing me to shrink back. “Because you look worried.”

“Uncle Cal!”

I perk up. My nephew’s arrival couldn’t come at a better time. With a smile plastered on my face, I turn and stretch out my arms. Like I knew he would, he immediately launches himself at me.

“Hey Teej.” I squeeze him tight and nod to Sloane who follows behind him.

Her long, dark hair is curled at the ends and she’s wearing a pretty gray pale suit that complements her fair complexion, and a pair of white stilettos.

Her expression is one of pure amusement, her blue eyes ping-ponging between Murphy and me.

“It’s like copy and paste.” She stoops over and sticks out her hand. “Hi Murphy, my name is Sloane, I’m your cousin’s mom.”

He gives her that same arched brow and skeptical look. “Wouldn’t that make you my aunt?”

She straightens and shrugs. “Well, yes, though I’m?—”

Glowering at her, I clear my throat. We’re not going to start the morning out talking about her divorce.

It’s the first day of school. A special occasion.

And honestly, I’m an adult and I’m struggling with the dismantling of our family.

I can’t imagine T.J. is handling it well. “You can call her Aunt Sloane.”

“Or Sloaney, that’s what Uncle Cal calls her,” T.J. says as I set him on his feet next to his cousin.

“And this is your cousin T.J. Teej, this is Murphy.”

“Hi.” Murphy’s tone is even, confident. Like he’s just a bit too cool.

He is, obviously, because he’s my son.

T.J. on the other hand is a precocious six-year-old with too much energy.

“I heard we’re going to be living together,” T.J. chirps.

Sloane glares at me again like I had anything to do with getting the lot of us into this predicament. “That’s to be determined.”

“Come on, Mom!” he whines with a stomp of his foot. “It’s going to be so fun.Uncle Cal will be there.” He points at me.

I offer my most debonair smile, but my sister-in-law is less than amused.

“We’ll talk about it later.” Her lips tug down at the corners, the skin around her eyes pinched tight. “Right now, you boys have to go inside. They’re lining up.” She ruffles T.J.’s hair, then kisses him on the cheek.

Naturally, he promptly wipes the remnants away, causing me to chuckle .

Her expression is genuine when she smiles at Murphy. “Have a good first day of school. And welcome to the family.”

T.J. hikes his backpack higher on his shoulders and says, “c’mon” to Murphy. My guy mimics his movements, and without another glance in my direction, he turns away.

He’s taken about two steps when I lunge forward and grasp the handle at the top of his backpack, tugging him back.

“Don’t we have to go inside with them?” Nervous energy clutches my throat as I look from him to Sloane. “Talk to their teachers? Make sure they’re all set for lunch?”

Sloane’s lips twitch like she’s trying to hold back a laugh at my expense. “No, Cal, this is where we say goodbye.” She places a gentle hand on my forearm. “He’ll be okay.” With one more sweet smile at Murphy, she says, “Say bye to your dad. I think he’s having a hard time.”

Murphy tips his head up again and sighs. “I’ll be okay, Cal.”

My gut clenches. I don’t like it. Don’t like it even a little bit.

Jaw locked tight, I nod. “I’ll be right here at 2:30.”

“They get out at 3:15,” Sloane gives up any pretense and breaks into a grin.

Chin lowered, I eye her. “I’ll be here at 2:30.”

Murphy gives me a single nod. “See you then.”

Instead of releasing him, I rush for an excuse to keep him here longer. “We need a photo.”

“What?” Murphy frowns in confusion.

“A photo.” I dig my mobile out of my pocket. “To commemorate your first day of school.”

“Come on, Teej,” Sloane says, waving a hand. “Stand with your cousin so Uncle Cal can get his picture.”

I unlock my phone—surreptitiously checking that there are no inappropriate messages waiting—and aim.

I can’t hold back my smile when T.J. loops his arm around Murphy’s shoulder.

Sure, Murphy looks a touch bewildered by the affection, but I’m glad I’ll have this memory saved.

I’ve missed so many other things and have no idea if Murphy’s mother documented them.

Does she have photos of him the day he was born?

Or on his first birthday? A video of his first steps?

With a thick swallow, I shake away the thoughts, ignoring the intensifying burn in my chest.

“Can we go now?” T.J. bounces on his toes, his face alight. The kid is never not moving.

Though I don’t want to, I nod. If I keep Murphy here any longer, he’ll be late.

With one last big wave, T.J. tears off, excitement catapulting him forward. Murphy, on the other hand, moves in a much more subdued manner.

I don’t take my eyes off them as they take their spots in line. While they wait to go inside, T.J.’s mouth doesn’t stop moving. From here, it looks like he’s pointing out the other kids in line, giving Murphy the rundown.

Murphy remains aloof, but when the kids nearby greet him, he gives them polite nods. Then the teacher appears, opening the gate, and the kids file in.

“Have a good day!” I call after them.

Murphy glances my way and gives me what might be considered a half smile. I suppose it could be a grimace but I’m choosing to pretend it was a smile. Sure, I’m a lot to take and he hasn’t exactly warmed up to me—and he’s definitely not ready to call me dad yet—but I think I’m growing on him.

As the doors close and the noise of the children silences, a knot forms in my gut. How the hell am I supposed to just walk away knowing my child is in there? He doesn’t know anyone. His mother just left him with me. Hell, he barely knows me. How?—

“Cal?” Sloane prods, her tone soft and gentle. So unlike her lately.

I’ve known Sloane since she and Sully were in law school almost fifteen years ago. The two of them married right after graduation, and honestly, I barely remember a time when Sloane wasn’t part of our family. I hate that she’s divorcing Sully.

“Hm?” I reply, but don’t look away from the building. If I stay here, maybe I’ll spot the top of Murphy’s head as he walks through the hall. I could camp out here, look for him between classes. Do kids move from class to class in first grade? For as much as this place costs, they should.

“We can go now. The boys are fine.”

I shake my head, squinting at a hint of movement beyond one window. “I’m okay here.”

That gentle hand is back, this time with a light squeeze. “You can’t stay here.”

Finally, I force myself to look at her. “Why?”

She sighs, lips pressed together thoughtfully, as if she’s finally understanding that I’m serious. “Because someone will think you’re casing the place. Or a pervert.”

I scoff, straightening. “For standing outside my son’s school?”

“ Cal. ” She takes a deep breath. “Listen, it’s sweet that you’re worried about him. And it’s admirable that you’re trying to be a good dad. But you have a job, and so do I, so we need to leave the boys. I promise they’ll be fine.”

Leave the boys? I’m not sure I can?—

My brain screeches to a halt and replays her words. Frowning, I survey her. The pant suit, the makeup, the hair. “What do you mean you have a job?”

Sloane hasn’t worked since she got pregnant with T.J.

Before that she worked with us.

But the outfit suggests she’s not going home to do housework or headed to the gym or for a coffee date.

“I got a job at Higgins, Smith, and Dodge.”

The air whooshes from my lungs. “You’re working for the enemy,” I hiss, clutching at my chest.

With a sigh, she grabs my arm and pulls me away from the building. “ They’re not our enemy.” She bows her head and shakes it. “I mean they’re not your enemy.”

“No. You had it right the first time. You’re a Murphy, Sloane. And you know just as I do that William Higgins and his slimy kid have always been our enemies.” Even saying his name leaves a gross taste in my mouth.

She blinks at me, her expression deadpan. “You’re being ridiculous.”

“And you’re being a traitor.” I jab a finger at her. “No. I won’t stand for this.”

Her eyes go wide and her brows practically leap to her hairline. “You won’t stand for this?”

I shake my head. “Nope. And there’s no way that Sully will either. So enough. You’ve made your point, now take it back.”

She lets out the heaviest of sighs and tugs at the hem of her jacket, straightening it.

“Callahan Murphy, I’m only going to say this once, just like I did with your brother, who already knows about the job, by the way, and was smart enough not to throw a tantrum.

” She tilts her head, giving me a look. “I am my own person. I am not a Murphy. I’ve agreed to waive my interest in the firm.

All I want is my freedom and my child.” Her posture sags a little, her bluster dying.

“And it wouldn't hurt to have your support too. T.J. loves you, and as annoying as you’re being right now, I’ve always liked you too.

I’d hate to think I’ve lost you as well. ”

A sharp pain radiates from the center of my chest. I hate this. Hate it so very much. “Of course you haven’t lost me.” I grasp her arms and pull her into a hug. “You’re my sister. Forever. You can’t divorce me.”

When I release her, she smiles up at me. It's soft and kind, just like she’s always been with me. “I wasn’t trying to.”

“Can I buy you a cup of coffee? I want to hear about this new job.” I try not to make a face. It’s not true, but I do want to spend time with her, and she’s right: if I want to remain friends, then I have to be supportive of her .

By the way she laughs and shakes her head as we stroll toward Lola’s favorite coffee shop, I haven’t done well hiding my feelings.

We spend the next half hour discussing this new job.

She’s genuinely excited. Even if I despise the men she’s working for, it is nice to see her so energized.

The last few years have been hard on her.

She’s a powerhouse. Always has been. But somewhere along the way, she lost herself.

She was hurting, and Sully was too, and no matter how much we all wanted them to figure things out, neither could see past their own pain to make the necessary changes.

Maybe she’s right. Maybe this is for the best. Even if it feels like another death.

“You going to eat that?” She points at a small paper bag on the table.

“Oh.” I slide it over an inch. “I got this for Lola. It’s her favorite.” I turn and look at the counter. “Should probably let the barista know I’m ready for her iced coffee too.” With any luck, the ice won’t be completely melted by the time I get to the office.

Sloane’s face lights up. “That’s really sweet.”

I shrug. It’s nothing really. If I have to drop Murphy off in the city every day, I can swing by here and pick up her favorites. Then this will be one less thing she’ll miss while we’re in Jersey.

“What do you think about taking turns picking the boys up? On my days they can come back to my office so you don’t have to drive all the way back into the city until the end of the day.”

“Oh.” I straighten, cupping my coffee in both hands. “I’ll pick them up everyday. You have a job.”

She’s just starting out. Again. She’ll need to be in the office.

“So do you,” she says, giving me a teasing grin.

My lips twitch. “Yeah, but nobody will miss me. It’s fine.”