The Ties That Bind Us: (The Ties Duet Part One) Danda K. (dark academia books to read TXT) 📖

so fucking mad at this point, and to be honest, scared out my mind.

“Oh, would you get over that already? Look at you, you’re fine. It was just a miscommunication.”

“A miscommunication?!” I scream at her now, feeling the blood rush to my face.

The baby starts to cry, making me feel bad, so I lower my voice. “Listen, you need to go...now. I’m gonna make an appointment at a facility to do a paternity test. I’ll contact you with the details. Until then, I’ve got nothing to say to you. I need to discuss things with my girlfriend.” Gelissa’s bouncing the baby on her lap as she looks Cameron up and down in distaste.

“This is who took my place?”

I straighten my back and take a step towards her as the baby eyes me curiously. “Let’s get one thing straight, Gelissa. Nobody took your place. Your place was never with me. You’re nothing but a deceitful and selfish brat who takes advantage of anyone she can to get ahead.”

My eyes close to slits as I threaten her now. ”If you ever speak that way about my girlfriend again, I’ll make sure all of Williamsburg knows just how sleazy and desperate you really are.”

She gasps, clutching her chest as if I’m the one being insensitive. She really is crazy.

My anger’s subsiding, allowing my nerves to creep back in. The truth is, this baby may be mine. I could be a dad to a little girl, and I’m nowhere near ready for it. And I know Cameron isn’t either.

Oh, God...Cameron.

“Gelissa, you need to go. Now.”

Her eyes twitch, and she looks slightly panicked. “Jaxon I--”

I run my hands over my hair, frustrated, and bite out, “Now.”

Gelissa blurts out, “I have no place to go!” The baby whimpers again with the outburst. Everything’s happening so fast. My brain can’t keep up with reality because it’s too busy battling my emotions.

“My parents don’t speak to me, Jaxon, and Roland kicked us out. I’ve been staying at a motel with the baby, but I’m running out of money. I can’t afford the cost of living every night and feeding Emersyn.” Her body shivers, making me wonder if it’s cold in here or if she’s just desperate. All my senses are off right now.

I lock eyes with Emersyn. Deep down, I know she has to be mine. I won’t admit it this easy to Gelissa, but every cell in my body tells me she’s a part of me, too. So how can I let them leave knowing it’s freezing out and her mom won’t have anywhere warm to take her? Regardless of the baby’s DNA, I’m not an animal.

I make the decision quickly because it’s the only one that feels right.

“Give me the number to the motel you’re staying at. I’ll call and set you guys up for another week. By then, we should know where we stand with paternity.”

I dial as she mouths off the number, and after a quick conversation with the front desk clerk, I’ve covered them for a week in their room.

Placing my wallet in my back pocket, I text Sayeed.

Jaxon: I need you to put together a few grocery bags with enough food for a week for a mother and a two-year-old.

Sayeed: No problem, Beta. Is everyone okay?

Jaxon: Thanks a lot. And yeah, I’ll explain when you get home.

I open the Uber app and arrange a pickup.

“The Uber will be here in ten minutes. It’ll take you and Emersyn to my job to get some groceries, then to your motel. I’ll contact you with details for a paternity test.”

Gelissa stands up, holding Emersyn on her hip, looking much less arrogant than she did before. “Sounds good. Thanks for helping me.” Maybe this girl did hit rock bottom, who knows. All I do know is no baby should have to go through this bullshit.

“I didn’t do it for you, trust me.”

Besides making sure this baby has shelter lined up, my main priority is checking on Cam, so Gelissa needs to go.

I stand outside the car as Gelissa gets in the Uber with Emersyn. I repeat the same instructions to the driver that I added to the app, and they take off down the alley as I run back inside.

Cameron is still in the kitchen, her back to me as she wipes the counter by the sink. Fuuuuuuck.

“Baby, let’s talk about all of this.”

She stops what she’s doing and turns around to face me. “She’s horrible, Jaxon. I don’t understand how something so adorable could have come out of someone like her.”

I walk over to her and wrap my arms around her, knowing I need it more than she does. She hugs me back tightly as we stand there in silence. The moment we separate, my nerves return, setting off sparks inside my head.

I pace back and forth, pulling at my hair. “I don’t understand how any of this happened.”

Cameron has a bite to her tone when she says, “Well, she was your girlfriend.” And I’m more than sure the chip on her shoulder stems from Gelissa’s comments about her.

“I know that, Cameron, trust me. I remember all my stupid decisions with girls and the trouble they’ve caused me.”

She scoffs, then nods her head as if everything’s clearer to her now. “I see.” Turning around, she resumes her cleaning.

“I didn’t mean you, Cameron, and you know it.”

She turns back towards me again. ”Do I now?” She slaps the side of her head. “Oh, that’s right. I forget you know everything about what I think, want and need.”

She faces the sink again, rinsing the rag off in the water.

“What’s all this about, Nyx? What’s with the hostility?” She doesn’t answer, and I take that as an invitation to dig my grave deeper.

“I don’t even know why you let her come in. Why not tell her to get lost? I mean, I’d never let a toxic ex of yours into our home.” I’m irrational, and I know it. But I’m hurting right now, and I’m scared; so I’m lashing out, knowing it’s not her fault.

She throws the wet rag