Chapter 8

Kyle's POV

"I need to back in there! I want to be with my daughter." I tell Nichole and Kenny as I pace back and forth in the waiting room. Being separated from Wendy and Leah is killing me!

"She's not your daughter, remember? You gave up that right!" Nichole reminds me.

I sigh and look down. "I know, but maybe I was wrong!"

"You are!" I look at her. "Wendy is my best friend and I love her dearly, but you're both wrong for doing this to Stan and Leah! She's innocent!"

"Stan is too!" Kenny joins in. "He doesn't know he's being lied to."

I can't take this anymore. "You guys stop! I get it! I'm a shitty person for this! I feel bad enough!" I sit down and bury my head in my hands. "I really feel terrible about all of this…"

I feel Nichole's hand on my shoulder. I look at her. "You can make this right. Go in there and tell the truth!"

"What about Stan? Do you know how devastated he'll be?"

"It's better for him find out now before he gets attached to Leah."

"I promised Wendy that she and Stan could raise her. I should at least give her a heads up about my decision."

Nichole shakes her head. "She'll just try to talk you out of it."

"That could be for the best. I really don't want to hurt Stan."

"Where was that concern for Stan when you were fucking his wife?" Kenny asks.

"I never wanted to hurt him. But I do enjoy making love to Wendy, she's the best I've ever had. We didn't want that to change."

"If you didn't want to hurt him, you should've left Wendy alone! Some friend you are!"

I nod in agreement. "You're right! He's going to be upset, he'll probably kick my ass, but I have to face the consequences."

"It's only right." Nichole tells me as I stand up.

"I honestly never wanted kids, but when I held Leah, that changed things. She's my flesh, my blood, the fruit of my loins! I don't think I could let her go through life never knowing that I'm her real dad." I sigh and sit down. "I know Stan wants a baby, but I don't think he has the mental maturity or responsible enough to care for a puppy much less a baby. Not my baby!"

"You keep talking, but you still haven't went in there to tell the truth!"

I sigh again and stand up. "I can do this! Stan will be hurt now, but he'll realize later it was for the best."

"Go already!" Kenny pushes me towards the rooms. I sigh once again and make my way back to Wendy's room. I walk in and I can tell they're having a serious conversation by the look on Wendy's face. Stan has his back to me, but I can see he's holding Leah. I don't want him holding her! I take a deep breath. I can't lose my nerve now…

"Hey Stan…" He turns to me and I see his eyes are red and puffy. It's obvious he's been crying. "What's wrong?"

"We were just having a discussion about what a disappointment Stan is!" Wendy says agitated.

"Please don't do this in front of Kyle…" Stan begs.

"Oh now you're embarrassed by your behavior? You're such a joke!"

"You guys, don't argue in front of Leah." I step in before things get even more heated. "It's not good for her to hear that. Hand me the baby!" I reach out for her.

Stan holds Leah close to him, which really annoys the fuck out of me. "Kyle, we're perfectly capable of taking care of our daughter!" He snaps.

"Don't snap at Kyle! He's only trying to help!" Wendy yells at him.

"Sorry dude, we can handle it."

"I think you need to take a break to calm down and then try to have this conversation…rationally." I look at him and Wendy when I say that. I know Wendy is trying to play a role, but she needs to chill a bit.

"He needs to leave and shower!" She glares at Stan. "You smell like that damn farm!"

"Fine." He hands Leah to Wendy. "I'll be back in about an hour."

"Sure you will." She rolls her eyes.

"Dude, don't you dare go home and get high!" I tell Stan.

"I'm not. I'm trying to cut back on that for Leah's sake."

"Good, it's time to grow up! Okay?" I say gently. I know Wendy was giving him hell, so I'm trying to go easy on him.

He wipes his eyes and nods. "I will, I promise." He turns to Wendy. "I won't let you down again."

"Don't make promises you can't keep." Stan starts to say something, but decides against it and quietly leaves instead. I move closer to Wendy and Leah.

"Let me take her." I take Leah from Wendy. I gently rock her even though she's sound asleep. "I'm surprised she slept through all of that!" I chuckle.

"She's had a hard day!" Wendy jokes. She then gives me a serious look. "What made you come back here?"

"I was going to tell Stan the truth about Leah."

Wendy's eyes widen. "What?" Why would you do that? We agreed that he would never find out!"

"I know, but after seeing my daughter, I just can't go through with this any longer."

"Kyle…"

"I don't want Stan raising my daughter! I know some of his actions weren't his fault, but he gets high all the time! I don't want him getting high and trying to care for her! He's too damn immature and irresponsible!"

"I know he is, but Kyle, we can't tell Stan." She looks down.

"Why not?"

"I don't want to hurt him."

"I think it would be better to get the truth out now before he gets too attached to Leah. I don't want him holding her…ever! Just now was more than enough!"

Wendy looks at me with tears in her eyes. "I won't let him hold her then! Please don't destroy my family!"

"Why are you holding onto him anyway? You're clearly not happy with him. If you were, we wouldn't be in this situation."

"Stan has his faults, but I do love him. If he learned the truth, it would devastate him. Could you live with yourself knowing you contributing to destroying your best friend's life?" I look down. "Could you…?" Damnit…

Stan's POV

"Stan?" I hear as I'm heading towards the elevator. I look and see Nichole and Kenny. I quickly wipe my eyes so they don't know that I was crying.

I smile at them. "Nichole? Kenny? I figured you two left."

"Oh Stan!" Nichole hugs me. "Are you okay?"

"I will be."

"It's going to be okay. In time, you'll get through this!"

I pull away from her. "Get through what?"

"Stop talking!" Kenny tells her before looking at me. "Did Wendy and Kyle say anything to you?"

I nod. "Wendy had plenty to say. She's pissed that I wasn't there for the birth and because I missed every single appointment. I've never seen her angry with me. I'm really trying my best…" I look down as I can feel myself starting to tear up again.

Kenny raises his eyebrow. "That's all they said?" I notice him and Nichole exchanging looks.

"Yeah. Am I missing something?"

"Why are you so upset?"

"I missed the birth of my daughter and I feel like shit because of it! Wendy made me feel worse than I already did."

"I'm sorry dude." Kenny puts his hand on my shoulder and I feel a tear drop from my eye.

"So why are you leaving?" Nichole asks me.

"Wendy said I smell like weed so she told me to go home and shower."

"Do you want me to come with you?" Kenny offers.

I shake my fine. "I'll be fine, but thanks anyway buddy."

"No problem dude."

"Aww Stan…" Nichole hugs me again.

"I'll be okay Nichole. I've let Wendy and Leah down, but I'm going to get it together! I promise! I just need to clear my head! See you guys!" I get on the elevator and head to my car. I know I promised not to get high, but that's what I'm about to do. I need to calm my nerves. I'll work on not getting high anymore tomorrow….