“Hi, Mama.” He gives me his toothy grin.
“Hi, baby. You doing okay?”
He nods.
“Okay. Keep watching while I talk.” Matty glances back at the screen and I turn back to his dumbfounded father. “Listen, I never thought a drunk man, down on his luck dressed as Thor would be a CEO of a company either."
“You sure about that?” His eyes flare with accusation.
“I’m sure,” I hiss. “We didn’t exactly talk about our jobs that night.” I fall back in my chair and watch the fire burn out of his eyes. “I’m not sitting here, shaking like crazy in front of you for the fun of it. It was one night I wouldn’t change for the world, but I always told myself if I ever found you, I would tell you. Even if Matty was over eighteen. You have a right to know because you're his father. I don't want anything. I'm not looking for a handout. I'm sure that's running through your mind. This is in your court with what you want to do. Either way, you decide, but no judgment if it's not your thing."
He's silent for what feels like a lifetime as he stares over at Matty, who thankfully, is once again lost in his little world.
"I want a DNA test."
"Of course. I figured as much."
"Alright, good." The tension in his shoulders drops slightly. Did he really think I was going to fight him? "Then we can go from there?"
"Yes. Yes of course.” I breathe.
“Alright. I’ll get it set up. I don’t want any issues or you to be able to falsify the tests.”
Falsify?
What kind of person does he think I am?
“Has that happened before?” I blurt out.
His eyes grow cold and he runs his hands over his face. The awkwardness of the silence fills the room and it also says everything.
I think it’s time for me to dig deeper into the life of Liam Morgan.
He continues not to say anything and goes to pick up a pen on his desk. I no longer feel welcome in his space. I glance over at Matty who isn’t bothered by the sudden chill that has filled the room.
“I guess, now I should go.” I jab my finger behind me and step back.
Get me out of here before I freeze over.
“Go where?”
“I dunno. Home. I’m sure you wouldn’t want someone you think is trying to pull something over on you working here.”
“I didn’t say that, did I, Miss Jenkins?”
Oh, I’m Miss Jenkins, again. “No, I just assumed you would want me gone.”
“Well, assuming is what gets people in trouble,” he says and he stands from his chair, buttoning back his blazer. “You honestly think I'm the father?"
"Yes. One hundred percent sure," I say confidently, pushing my shoulders back.
“Okay.”
“Okay, what?” I blink at him, confused as fuck.
“I probably shouldn’t do this, but there is something about you, Re—” he pauses catching himself before he says his nickname for me. “Miss Jenkins. So I’m going to put my trust in you till everything comes back. I need my building finished, so please stay. Work."
I let out a deep breath as relief washes over me. "Thank you."
Liam moves around me over to the couch. "And I can still watch your son, who you say is mine, while you finish up your day."
"Mr. Morgan, you don’t have to."
He clears his throat. "It’s fine. Really. I want to.” He sits down next to Matty and nudges his shoulder. "Hey, bub, me and you are going to hang out while Mommy works.”
Matty glances up from the screen with the biggest smile on his face. “Li-um.” Matty puts his hand on his shoulder and eases into his lap.
“See, no problem. Go. I’ll text you if there’s any problems.”
My head spins at the one-eighty Liam is doing.
"Don't you have work to do? I'm sure it's more important than mine."
"It's fine and we've already become fast friends. Right?" Liam ruffles Matty’s hair making him laugh and swat his hand away.
"All right," I say hesitantly. I guess my invitation to join is off the table now.
CHAPTER FIVE
LIAM
We need to talk. ASAP.
I type out the text to my brother. Landon is the last person I want to be talking to about this, but he could have answers for me. He was with me at the Comic Con all those years ago.
Landon: What's up?
Meet me at my place after 6.
Landon: Everything okay?
Everything is far from being okay.
It's fine. There's just something I need to talk to you about.
Landon: Alright. I'll be there.
I toss my phone down and my head collapses to my desk. It feels like a thousand pounds weighed down heavily by the thoughts I can't comprehend.
What the fuck is going on? Is this all for real?
Red claiming I’m the father of her child? A child I really can't argue over the fact
