Page 7 of Make You Beg

I take a deep breath and look down.

This is fine. I’m fine.

I can’t lie, being distracted by a good-looking stranger is nice, despite the almost heart attack I had when he caught me ogling. He looks like danger. I wouldn’t mind him giving me a taste.

He might as well be in the same situation I am. Waiting to meet his dad’s girlfriend.

There’s visible tension in his body, too.

“Oh, there he is. My lovely husband-to-be.” Mom points at someone inside the restaurant.

“Where?” I ask.

“Right there.”

Is she—is she really pointing at who I think she’s pointing at?

“The man with his back to us, sitting with the young dark-haired guy in the white shirt?”

“Yes.”

“How do you know that’s him? You can’t even see his face.” And a dozen more people are sitting. But of course, Mom picks the one I was staring at.

“I would recognize the back of that head anywhere. That’s him. That’s my Lucas.”

That brings me to the question… “And who is that guy with him?”

“Oh.” Mom giggles. “Maddy! I told you, haven’t I?”

“Told me what?”

“That Lucas has a son.”

I remember her mentioning it during one of our chitchats before, but I don’t like where this is going.

“Y-yeah?”

“That’s him. That’s Kayden.”

“What?”

“That’s your new brother, baby.”

What the hell?

I hiccup, bringing my hands to my mouth. It’s surprise after surprise today from my mom.

First the engagement, now this.

I thought Kayden was a freaking child when she mentioned him. A kindergartener at best. She said he was ‘cute and a bit naughty.’ I remember now.

I did not expect him to be grown up and to look like that.

“Are you okay there, sweetie?” Mom puts a hand on my shoulder.

I nod, pulling myself together. “I’m just a bit surprised, that’s all. I thought Kayden would be…younger.”

“Oh, no. You must have misunderstood me. He’s seventeen, a year older than you.”