“No, I don’t think so,” I reply.
“Actually, I do,” Tate says, drawing both mine and the doctor’s attention. “I would like to order a paternity test.”
My eyes widen and my mouth drops to my knees. Tate quickly turns to me and adds, “It’s not what you think. I know he’s my son, but I was talking to my attorney earlier and he said we have to confirm paternity before I can establish rights.”
I can feel the doctor’s eyes glancing back and forth. “If you’re both interested in confirming paternity, I can submit an order to a hospital for testing. We’ll have the results back by Friday. You’d then submit those results to the Family Support Division of the Department of Health. They’ll take it from there.” She pauses before adding, “I’ll give you two a minute.”
As soon as the door closes, Tate crouches in front of me, our son still in his arms. “I’m sorry I didn’t mention this earlier. I started to do some research last night when I couldn’t sleep. I know I’m his father, but I want to make sure everything is established as so. If something happens to me, God forbid, I want everything to go to Row. I want to immediately start paying you support too, and my attorney said this is the step we need to take.”
I exhale slowly. “Okay, yeah, it makes sense.”
“We’re telling Alex Saturday night at dinner, and your parents are coming for another visit soon to house hunt, right? I want to call them and my parents this weekend too. I’d also like to do an addendum to his birth certificate, if you’re okay with that. I want to be his father in every way possible, Ash. Including on paper.”
I give him a small smile before my eyes drop to our son. “You seem to have thought a lot about this. He’s a lucky little boy,” I whisper, reaching out and running my finger across his dimpled chin.
“No, I’m the lucky one.”
I glance up and our eyes meet. I always said it was only possible in cheesy romcom movies from the eighties, but time actually stands still. I’m not sure who moves first, but his palm caresses my cheek at the same moment our lips meet. His mouth is warm and oh so inviting, as he masterfully slides his lips against mine.
Unfortunately, we’re interrupted by another knock. Dr. Townsend and the nurse enter the room, both with sheepish grins on their faces, as we pull apart. I turn to face the doctor and say, “Let’s go ahead with the order for paternity.”
She nods. “I’ll send it in. They work on a walk-in basis, and all the details are on the back of this information sheet.” I take the offered paper. “Now, shall we get to the hardest part of the appointment?”
Chapter Nine
Tate
Pulling out of the team facility, I gun the engine, loving how it goes from zero to too fast in seconds. I haven’t driven my car much in the last few weeks, mostly because I was choosing to be a little more inconspicuous when I’m over at Ashtyn’s and drive the SUV.
Today, I had a meeting with the front office regarding my contract. It’s up for negotiations at the end of this season, and I’m anxious to sign for a few more years. I want to finish out my career with the Fire. It’s not logical, really, but I’ll do whatever I can to stay put. One thing I have going for me is I’m at the top of my game. Postseason appearances the last four seasons and a divisional championship last year. I’m one determined motherfucker to get my team to the big game this season.
I want that ring.
When I reach a stoplight, my phone pings with a text. I shot a message to Ash to let her know I was leaving and heading her way. I’ve got to stop by my penthouse, grab more clothes, and switch cars, but I’m anxious as hell to see her and Rowan. I didn’t sleep for shit last night in my bed. The first night in more than a week I didn’t stay, but with the early meetings and workouts, she thought I’d be better if I was rested and refreshed going into my day. Little does she know I didn’t sleep well at all in my large, king-sized mattress with fancy Egyptian sheets. All I wanted to do was be on her couch, tossing and turning, and catching little naps all night long.
I pull up my screen and find a picture. It’s of Row, little fist under his chin and his mouth hanging open as he sleeps. She captioned it “Milk drunk.”
My grin is wide as I gaze down at the little guy.
My son.
A horn honks behind me, so I quickly deposit my phone back into the cup holder and drive. My heart is light and my smile wide as I head through the streets toward my place. A few miles from where I live, my phone rings. I glance at the dash to see my best friend’s name. I quickly accept the call.
“Hey, buddy, what’s up?” I ask.
“What the fuck are you doing with my sister?” His words are low, almost a growl, and stop my heart.
“What?”
“Don’t play dumb with me, Steele. Is it true?”
I’m taken aback by his words. I have a pretty damn good idea what he’s talking about, but my mind can’t wrap around it. “Is what true?” I ask, my words filled with dread.
“Playboy QB a Dad. Steele Settling Down. Baby Makes Three for Fire QB. That’s what the headlines say, Tate. So why don’t you tell me why you’re in all of these photos, with my sister and my nephew.”
“Headlines?” I ask, pulling my car into the first parking lot I can find. When I grab my phone, I see incoming texts from Todd, but I ignore them. Instead, I pull up my internet search engine and type in my name. “Fuck,” I mumble, as link after link pops up, all new within the last thirty minutes.
“Yeah, fuck. What the hell is going on?” Alex demands.
My mind is racing. “I need to get to Ashtyn’s,” I state, turning around in the lot and heading in her direction.
“I’m already on my way there.”
“Please don’t…just wait until I get there, Alex.”
“Oh, you bet your fucking ass I’m gonna wait until you get there.” Then the line goes dead.
“Fuck!” I yell, slamming my hand down on the steering wheel. I knew I should have just told him before now. Too many people saw us earlier in the week at Rowan’s doctor’s appointment. I should have insisted on talking to him way before tomorrow night. I messed up, and that’s on me.
As I fly through the streets, I pull up my phone and call Todd. “Where have you been?”
“I just left the training facility,” I tell him.
“This is a nightmare, Tate. It’s everywhere,” he says. I can hear him clicking away on his keyboard.
“How’d it get out? I don’t even have the results yet, so how did the media get them?”
“I’m trying to pinpoint the source. My guess either the lab or the doctor’s office, but my gut says it’s the latter. Labs are pretty fucking airtight when it comes to test results.”
“How do we control this?”
“We’re already working on it, Tate. At this point, I don’t see how we can contain it. It’s already trending on social media and we’re getting calls for comments from national news agencies.”
I briefly close my eyes and take a deep breath. “Protecting Ashtyn and Rowan is my top priority, Todd.”