“A boy, Caleb.” Saying his name out loud causes a prickle in the back of my throat. “He’s mine.”
Mum drops the knife onto the glass chopping board. “You have another child?” She slowly bends into the seat at the table.
“Yep.” I stare into the coffee, unable to take a drink with the nausea bubbling in my stomach.
“Oh, Cal. And you’ve only just found out?” Mum leans back in her chair, blinking rapidly and shaking her head. “Why didn’t she tell you? Goodness, he must be what? Twenty years old by now.”
“No, Mum. She had a baby five months ago.”
Her face looks even more confused, and the gold and hazel hues of her eyes whirl. “You didn’t go there again?”
I stay silent.
“I knew she was the reason you left your job, even though you said you wanted a new challenge. She wouldn’t leave you alone when you were at university. When she came looking for you, wanting your number, I thought it was because she was harassing you like she did before. Wanting you back.”
I grip the mug tight. “She was here?”
“Love, I told you I saw her. She called asking for your number, but I wanted to check with you before handing it over. I know how she was before, begging you to go back with her. You had enough on your plate moving to Australia. If I’d known she was having a child… but she never said a word.” Mum holds my hand with worry etched on her face.
“He looks just like Jaxon.”
“Oh, love.” Mum gets off her chair and hugs me with tears in her eyes.
My eyes burn, and I pinch the bridge of my nose to stop myself from welling up.
“When can we meet him?” Mum takes off her glasses and dabs her eyes with her apron.
“I don’t know. I’ll have to visit her. We didn’t leave things amicably last night.” I realise I never even got her number. Fuck.
“She said I have no right to start playing dad when I haven’t been around.”
“You should get a paternity test. It will help if Steph is difficult. Plus, wasn’t she married? You need to check he’s yours.”
“He’s mine, Mum. I know he’s mine. I don’t need a paternity test.”
She pats my shoulder. “Just get one, so you have some rights. Who’s name is on the birth certificate?”
“Fuck knows. She probably put Justin’s name on it knowing her. I’ll go round to her house today.”
* * *
STEPH
Caleb isready for his afternoon nap that always coincides with the school run. I get him strapped into his car seat and just as I turn the engine, my phone rings.
Maxine’s name flashes green on the screen. My stomach rolls. She rarely calls me. “Hi, everything all right?”
“Someone’s here asking for you. He wants your address. Where are you?”
“I’m at home, just leaving to go to the shop before picking the kids up. Who is it?”
“I think it’s Caleb’s dad, with how Justin described him. Dark hair, tall, tattoos on his arms. Shall I get rid of him or what? He’s waiting outside the house while I pretend I’m looking for your number. It’s a good job Justin’s at work.”
My chest tightens as dread claws at my throat. “Put him on. It’s okay.”
“Steph. Have you moved?” His voice is gruff and angry, like it was last night.
“Yes. I’m on the other side of town.” I give him the address.