Strike Out (13 page)

“I’m dead serious.” Zach gave his brother a moment to process the news. “He just turned ten. His name’s Tyler.”

“I don’t believe this.” Kevin bounded out of his seat. He paced, a tactic he often used when he was working through a difficult challenge. He claimed it helped him to think more clearly. “Are you sure the kid is yours? I mean, maybe that’s why Rennie left, because she didn’t know how to tell you that—” He stopped talking when he spotted his brother’s warning scowl.

“This is Rennie we’re talking about. She never would’ve cheated on me.”

“Yeah, but who would’ve thought Ren had it in her to keep your kid from you? Man, that’s just messed up. What the hell was she thinking?”

“She heard what I said to you at the club that night.” Zach waited for his brother to run through the conversation in his mind. “I pocket dialed her. She heard the whole thing.”

“Shit,” Kevin said, grimacing. “No wonder she took off.”

“Yeah, I guess she didn’t feel she had a choice. She didn’t want to saddle me with a kid I didn’t want.”

“I know what you said that night”—Kevin braced his hands on his hips as he faced his younger brother—“but is that really how you would’ve felt if you found out the woman you loved was gonna have your baby?”

Zach glanced at the family photos lining Kevin’s mantle and cringed when he thought about all of the moments he’d missed out on with his own son. “I don’t know how I would have reacted. I would’ve been shocked, that’s for sure. Like I told you, we always used protection.”

“Those things aren’t a sure thing, you know that.”

“I sure do now.” Zach couldn’t feel an ounce of remorse that the condom had been faulty. Ever since he’d learned he was a father, the only thing he’d felt since the initial shock subsided was excitement about getting to know Tyler.

“Rennie wasn’t taking the pill?”

“Couldn’t.” They had assumed condoms would be enough, so they hadn’t worried about taking additional measures. Perhaps they were young and naïve, or just so in love they couldn’t keep their hands off each other long enough to consider the consequences of their actions. That hadn’t changed. He was still as attracted to Rennie as he’d ever been. She turned him on in a way no other woman ever had—and it seemed she could barely stand to be in the same room with him.

“How’d you find out she had a kid… and that he’s yours? She told you?”

Zach rolled his eyes. “Not exactly. Her son”—a smile spread across his face—“correction, our son, invited me to his tenth birthday party behind his mama’s back.”

“No way.” Kevin grinned. “Rennie must have flipped out.”

“Yeah, I don’t think she was too happy to see me. She knew she’d been busted. Mom and Dad were there too.”

“Wait a minute,” Kevin said, raising his hand. “They knew and didn’t tell me?”

“They just found out. I’m sure they figured I’d want to be the one to tell you.”

“So, does the kid know you’re his father?”

“No. Rennie said he’s been through a lot this year, with his stepfather dying and all. She wanted to make sure he could handle it before she broke the news to him.”

“That makes sense,” Kevin said, nodding.

“But I don’t wanna wait. I want him to know now.” Zach looked his brother in the eye. “Does that make me a selfish bastard or what? Aren’t parents supposed to put their kid’s feelings above their own?”

Kevin smirked. “You’re new to this whole parenting thing. Give yourself a break.”

“I’m serious, Kev.” Zach leaned forward. He rubbed his aching shoulder; he’d barely noticed the throbbing pain since he sat down. The only thing he could think about was his son. “Do you think I’m wrong to insist on telling him now? Should I let Ren take the lead and decide when he’s ready?”

Kevin shrugged before shoving his hands into his pockets. “I think kids are a lot more resilient than we give them credit for. Tyler’s been through a lot, but finding out he has a father who’s ready and willing to step in and fill the void may be exactly what he needs.” Kevin frowned. “That is what you want, right? To be a part of his life?”

“What the hell do you think?” Zach glared at him. “He’s my son. Of course I want to be a part of his life. I’ve already missed out on the first ten years of his life. I’d hate like hell to miss out on one more minute.”

“Then you shouldn’t have to. Tell Rennie you want to tell him and the sooner, the better.”

“Yeah, you’re right,” Zach said, running his damp palm over the knee of his worn designer jeans. Just thinking about how Rennie would react made him break out in a sweat, but she’d been calling the shots for too long. He needed to start making some of the decisions where their son was concerned. “I’m gonna talk to her tonight.”

“Good.”

“Listen, I want to believe Rennie and I can work out a custody arrangement without things getting nasty, but—”

“I’ve got your back,” Kevin said before he could finish. “Whatever you need, I’m here for you.”

“Thanks, man. I appreciate that.”

***

Rennie walked into High Rollers that night trying to quash the pit of dread in her stomach. She should be looking forward to a successful fundraiser, not afraid of what might happen with Zach. He wasn’t a monster, and she knew he wasn’t vindictive. He wasn’t trying to hurt her by insisting they tell Tyler the truth. He just wanted a relationship with their son. If she stood to lose her own relationship with him in the process, that wasn’t Zach’s fault, was it?

“Hey, pretty lady,” Jaxon said, taking her hands as he leaned in to kiss her cheek. He really was gorgeous, especially decked out in well-cut black dress pants and a black button-down shirt. Rennie was so busy looking for Zach she barely noticed.

“Hi, Jaxon. Thanks again for letting us host the event here. It was so generous of you.” Rennie looked around. Her crew had been in earlier to decorate and post signs. She had to admit, the upscale sports bar looked ready to host a party to end all parties.

“My pleasure,” he said, looking around. “The boys all rallied to come up with the goods for this thing. With our connections with the pro athletes in town, you have some serious merchandise to auction off tonight.”

Her eyes drifted to the silent auction area. Terri had showed her the list of donated items earlier that day, and Rennie had been stunned. She was sure they would raise enough to buy Sheldon the dog he so desperately needed, and enough that he would be able to work with his therapist at least three times a week instead of one or two for the foreseeable future. Rennie smiled when she looked at the small crowd in the auction area. “I can’t thank you guys enough. You have no idea how much this will mean to the Griffins. Speaking of Sheldon’s parents, are they here yet?”

“No.” He glanced at the door and grinned when he spotted his partner. “Zach, my man.” He chuckled when Zach slapped him on the back with his good hand. “I’d shake your hand, but I’m afraid of hurting you.”

“Shut up,” Zach said, his lips curling up. He avoided looking at Rennie as he surveyed the burgeoning crowd. “Looks like it’s gonna be a good night, huh?”

Rennie’s unease morphed as she picked up on Zach’s tension. She couldn’t decide whether he was upset because of his injury or her presence, so she decided to ask. “How are you feeling?”

“At the moment, doped up on pain meds,” he said, barely sparing her a glance.

Jaxon laughed. “I guess I won’t offer you a beer then.” One of the waitresses beckoned him, and he nodded. “Excuse me, guys. I’ll catch up with y’all in a bit.”

“I was sorry to hear about your injury,” Rennie said as her eyes traveled over his broad shoulders. He wore a charcoal-gray button-down shirt with decorative stitching in the same color. It was a slim fit, hugging his waist and powerful biceps. She didn’t realize she was staring until he caught her. “I… uh… didn’t catch the game, but Tyler told me what happened. Any idea how long you’ll be out?”

“Nothing definite yet.” He moved in closer when a waitress grabbed his waist, trying to get past him. “Maybe eight weeks.”

“Hey, handsome,” the pretty blonde whispered in his ear. “Nice to see you again.”

Color rose in Zach’s cheeks before his gaze landed on Rennie. He didn’t respond to the waitress. He simply muttered to Rennie, “Sorry about that.”

Rennie thought it odd he would apologize to her about another woman openly flirting with him in front of her. They weren’t a couple anymore. She was the mother of his child, but that didn’t give her a claim to him, did it? Her eyes followed the waitress, who put a little extra swing in her hips, no doubt for Zach’s benefit. “No problem. You must get that all the time.”

“I don’t really notice anymore,” he said, his voice low enough so only Rennie could hear him. He could have stepped back, but he stayed in her personal space. She could barely breathe. His cologne was subtle, but if the intent was to lure a woman in, it was working. “How’ve you been, Ren?” His hot breath fanned her hair.

“Okay.” She didn’t know what else to say. She was an emotional basket case, but she’d be a fool to tell him that. She was so afraid that her son would hate her when he learned the truth and would shut her out of his life in favor of building a new relationship with his dad.

“You look a little tired. Have you been sleeping all right?”

Rennie bit her lip, staring into his chest instead of those eyes that made it difficult to think straight. He was sending her mixed messages. He had seemed aloof, almost angry, but now he was… flirting with her? “Not really.” She hoped he wouldn’t see her admission as a sign of weakness.

“Me neither.”

She found that hard to believe. Not only did he look well-rested, he looked even more gorgeous than the last time she’d seen him. He’d gotten a haircut, and his tailored dress pants hugged him just right. They looked as though they were made for him. They probably were.

“I guess we have a lot to work through, don’t we?” she asked, finding the courage to mention the elephant in the room.

“We’ll get through it together.”

Rennie sucked in a breath. She hadn’t felt like part of a team, especially when that team included Zach Foster, in a long time. “I appreciate that.” She was glad Zach wasn’t harboring anger about their situation. Animosity, no matter how well hidden, could only hurt Tyler.

“We’re in this together, hon. As Tyler’s parents, we both want what’s best for him, right?”

Hon.
He’d called her hon. Rennie tried to ignore the little flutter in her belly, but it wasn’t easy. Zach, her first love, the father of her son, was finally ready to step up and be the kind of father she’d always dreamed he would want to be to Tyler. “Yeah, we do.”

“I’m going to have a lot more time on my hands now, with the injury. Does Tyler have a game tomorrow night?”

He wanted to come to one of Tyler’s baseball games? Of course he did. Duh. She could only imagine the frenzy at the ballpark when the other parents, not to mention the kids, caught sight of him. Sure, a few of them had met him at the birthday party, but… No, she didn’t have a choice. She had to get used to it if Zach was going to be a part of Tyler’s life. “He does. I’m sure he’d love it if you could be there.”

He grinned, revealing straight white teeth that contrasted sharply with his dark tan. “That’d be awesome. Maybe we could grab a pizza after the game?”

“Um, I don’t know…” His face fell, and Rennie regretted her hesitation. If he was willing to meet her halfway, the least she could do was the same. “It’s just that he’s having take-out tonight, and I don’t like him to overdo it.”

“You’re not one of
those
moms are you?” he asked, chuckling.

She touched his forearm and pulled her hand back quickly, realizing it was a mistake to initiate physical contact with a man who still had the power to make her belly quiver. “Zach, Tyler has Juvenile Diabetes.”

His face fell. “What?”

“It’s okay,” she said softy, touched by his concern. “He sees a diabetic specialist four times a year, and we have the condition under control with the right amount of insulin and a strict diet.”

“My God,” he said, stepping back as he swiped a hand over his face. “I had no idea.”

“Why would you?” She could see how shaken he was by the news. “Tyler is just like every other kid. I’ve worked hard to make sure he understands that. This doesn’t have to define him unless he lets it. He may not be able to eat candy and cookies like all the other kids, and he has to eat regularly so his blood sugar doesn’t get too low, but—”

“I know,” he said, holding up his hand. “I get it. My father was diagnosed with Type II Diabetes last year.” A stricken look crossed his face. “Jesus, do you think that’s why Tyler has it, Rennie? Is it hereditary? Is it my fault, did I—”

Rennie reached up on her tippy-toes to give him a hug. She was wearing black leather ballerina flats, so the height discrepancy was huge, but if she’d ever seen a man in need of a hug, it was Zach. “It’s not your fault. Please don’t blame yourself.”

He picked her up with his good arm, burying his face in her hair. “I’d never forgive myself if I hurt him. Promise me you’ll help me with this, Ren. I really don’t wanna screw up.”

The way he held her reminded her of their celebratory hugs after a big tournament. His arm or shoulder was usually screaming in protest, but he would always pick her up with his good arm and hold her close while he whispered in her ear how much he loved her.

“I’ll do whatever I can to make it easier for both of you,” she said quietly, knowing that was the least she could do.”

“Excuse me, Rennie.”

Rennie blushed when she spotted the Griffins over Zach’s shoulder. Oh God, what they must think of her being caught up in an intimate embrace with Zach Foster? She was supposed to be hosting their fundraiser. She squeezed Zach’s bicep when he didn’t seem in a hurry to put her down. He finally acquiesced, and Rennie ran a hand over her black blazer, refolding the rolled cuff. “Hey guys, it’s great to see you.” She hugged Manny Griffin, then his wife, Shelley. “How’s Sheldon?”

“He’s having one of his better days,” Shelley said, smiling as she tried not to stare at Zach. “We were able to leave him with my parents tonight.”