- Look Nathan... Scooty, the friend and teammate of his baseball team, pointed to a couple of people who had just arrived and were heading straight for the field and them. There's your mom with a gentleman.
His mom with a gentleman...
Nathan couldn't think of anyone other than his father who could be the gentleman in question.
So, full of hope, he turned his gaze in the direction Scooty was pointing, hoping with all his heart that it was his father.
And at the sight of the tall, dark-haired man, standing next to his tiny mother, walking towards him, his heart leapt with joy.
- It's my daddy.
At Nathan's shrieks of joy, Scooty looked at him in surprise.
It was Nathan's dad...
So it was him, this big man who was walking towards them, and Nathan hadn't stopped talking to him.
Nathan was delighted that his father had been able to come, as well as his mother, and rushed to meet them with a big smile on his face.
But he stopped dead in his tracks when he saw his coach and Scooty's father heading towards his parents.
Ah no.
This wasn't going to happen again.
Scooty's father wasn't going to bother his mother again.
Scooty's dad still hadn't understood that his mom, if she was nice to him - if you could say nice, because she tolerated him, more than put up with him - didn't want him.
So why did he insist.
Did he think that by insisting, she would change her mind.
But she wouldn't.
When his mother didn't want something, Nathan understood that she never changed her mind.
And that there was no point in insisting.
In addition, he already had a dad.
And Nathan hoped that one day his parents would get together.
So Scooty's dad wasn't going to spoil it.
He'd keep his friend's dad from bothering his mom.
And he already had his own idea.
So it was here.
On this field, where his son played baseball.
Thinking of his son, he looked around at the little team of boys, looking for his son.
- Nathan's here.
Eames pointed to a little boy who was having a conversation with a little blond boy, and who, at the sight of him and Eames, indicated to Nathan their arrival.
And as soon as Nathan laid eyes on them, a big smile spread across his lips, lighting up his face, and he began to run in their direction.
At the sight of his son, so happy to see him, Goren felt his heart beat violently in his chest.
My God...
How he loved his son.
He had never been so happy in his life.
And he owed it all to his son, and especially to the little blonde woman at his side.
Without her, Nathan wouldn't be here.
And Goren owed Eames everything.
What's more, he had never counted so much for one person.
And that person was none other than his son.
But Goren saw Nathan stop and grimace as a blond man, who must have been the coach, approached him and Eames.
- Alex... You've come to see Scooty and Nathan.
Pardon.
Had Goren heard correctly or had the man just called Eames, Alex.
Which didn't please him at all.
And who was Scooty.
She must have been one of the younger members of the baseball team.
But strangely enough...
The smirk on the man's lips, which he was giving Eames, made Goren want to make him swallow.
- You must be his partner.
His partner...
Yes, he was.
But not only that.
Not only was he Nathan's father, he was also sleeping with Eames.
So Goren thought he was more.
At least, that's what he hoped.
- Pleased to meet you... I'm Serge Newton... The man held out his hand for him to shake, but Goren gave the man's hand a dirty look, refusing to shake it. I'm the trainer... and Scooty's father. Seeing that Eames' partner was giving him a dirty look, and openly refusing to shake his hand, he let it drop. And a very close friend of Alex's.
What.
A very close friend of Alex's...
At these words, Goren felt a violent anger rise up inside him, and he advanced dangerously towards Scooty's father.
He was going to make her swallow her words.
Alex was sleeping with him.
And he wouldn't tolerate a man like him, or any other, putting his filthy paws on her.
Goren felt a small hand rest on his chest, which made him stop and snap out of his thoughts, only to come face to face with an Eames who was shaking her head in denial.
Pardon.
Was he dreaming, or was Eames telling him not to react?
When all he could think of was...
To tear the coach apart.
To make him understand that Eames was his and his alone.
And that he wouldn't allow him to lay a finger on her.
Eames was not only his son's mother, she was sleeping with him.
And that was no small thing.
For him, it wasn't just sexual.
It was a much deeper feeling.
But for Eames, Goren didn't know.
Maybe he thought there was something strong between them, whereas for Eames, it was only sexual.
What's more, nothing told him that Eames hadn't already offered his favors to this Newton.
At this thought, Goren felt a deep tear in his heart, and his rage redoubled.
So he clenched his fists with all his might, until his knuckles were white.
- Dad... You made it. Nathan threw himself against his father, wrapping his arms around his waist. I'm so happy.
At this affectionate gesture, and his son's warm welcome, Goren lowered his gaze to his son, who was raising his big hazel eyes, shining with mischief.
Was it him...
Or had Nathan done this on purpose.
To show Scooty's father that he already had a daddy, and didn't want another.
It sure looked like it.
- Dad... He emphasized that word, letting Scooty's dad know that he already had a dad. I've got to talk to you.
Talk to him...
And about what.
But Nathan didn't give him time to think, he was already putting his little fingers in his, pulling him along, forcing him to follow.
But Goren refused to move.
Refusing to let Eames go head to head with that cursed Serge.
Goren could see that if he followed his son, this trainer would not hesitate to use his charms to try and seduce Eames.
So no, he wouldn't budge.
Not until that worm had bolted.
Seeing that his father could not take his eyes off Scooty's father, and refused to follow him, Nathan pulled on his father's arm, and forced him to kiss his face towards him.
Nathan brought his lips close to his father's ear and placed his hand in front of his mouth, so that only his father could hear him.
- Kiss Mom's cheek... And tell her you'll be right back.
Pardon.
Kiss Eames's cheek...
And in front of everyone.
Goren blushed violently at the thought.
He'd never dare.
It was too intimate.
And so embarrassing.
- Goren looked at his son, who was nodding gravely. The intruder must go.
Make the intruder go away...
Oh...
But then...
His son didn't like this Newton man either.
And it would help his business if his son was on his side.
- Dad... Come on.
All right, then.
For his son's sake, he was going to do what he asked.
Then he rose to his full height and turned to Eames, who was looking at them suspiciously, as if she suspected he and his son were up to something.
Faced with her suspicious face, Goren hesitated to kiss Eames on the cheek.
He didn't feel like taking a slap, especially in public.
- Daddy...
At his son's impatience, and sensing that he wouldn't leave him alone if he didn't kiss Eames on the cheek, Goren complied.
He lowered his face to that of an Eames who had just turned red, and brought his lips close to her cheek, brushing it.
- I'll be right back.
Goren let himself be guided by his son, as Eames looked on, her heart pounding violently in her chest, ready to break that Goren had dared to kiss her in public, and brought his hand to her cheek.
My God…
Goren had dared to kiss her.
And in public.
Eames would never have expected that from Goren.
And she was convinced it came from his son.
She'd seen Nathan give his father a hard time.
Eames should have resented her son for interfering in her affairs of the heart with Goren.
But she couldn't blame him.
When Goren had placed his lips on her cheek, Eames had seen Scooty's father's bemused, unsettled reaction, which made her smile inwardly.
So who knows, maybe she'd finally be rid of him.
Serge Newton just stood there, speechless and still in shock at what he'd just seen.
This man he didn't know, who according to Nathan was his father, had kissed Alex on the cheek.
Wasn't Alex supposed to be a single mother.
So how was it that this man who was her partner could be Nathan's father.
In addition, wasn't it forbidden in their profession for them to be together.
But maybe he was imagining things.
And if he didn't, he was going to have to hurry up and find a solution so that Alex would finally give in to his advances.
And Newton already had his own idea.
Why not tell Alex that he'd like to talk to his son about his baseball game, and he could arrange for Scooty to spend the night with Nathan, so that Eames' partner would be busy babysitting them, and he could take the opportunity to go on the offensive.
When Alex returned home, she'd be alone, and they could...
What a good idea!
A wicked smile appeared on his lips.
Finally out of the way, Nathan let go of his father's arm and turned to him, looking serious.
- You've got to get rid of Scooty's father... Dad.
Get rid of Scooty's father.
Yes, it was an excellent idea.
But how do you...
- I don't want him in the house... Nathan waved his arm, pacing back and forth. I love Scooty... He stopped and looked up at his father, who was startled by such determination. But I don't want his father.
Good God…
Goren had understood that his son didn't hold Scooty's father in his heart, but at this point.
What's more, he was telling him so openly, without any embarrassment.
- Nath...
Nathan and Goren turned at the voice of the blond boy, who was running towards them.
- Dad told me that Nathan and I are staying with you tonight.
I'm sorry, sir.
What do you mean, sorry.
Scooty was sleeping with him at his father's house tonight.
No, he wasn't.
Nathan didn't agree.
That was a dirty trick from Scooty's father.
- Dad told me... He turned to Goren. That you'd take care of us.
What.
He was going to take care of the two boys...
And most importantly, if he'd heard right...
They would sleep at his place.
But what were these manners.
Goren would have liked to be at least concerted on this.
And he hadn't been.
So he didn't agree.
Goren was catching on.
If he took care of Scooty too, and more importantly, at home, that meant Newton would have free rein at Eames.
And that was out of the question.
He wouldn't stand for it.
- Thank you, sir, for looking after us.
At the boy's kindness, Goren felt disarmed.
He should have been angry at being forced to keep Scooty at home.
But the little boy seemed so happy to spend the night with his friend, that Goren felt himself weakening.
Very well.
So he'd grudgingly accept, and be forced to keep Scooty, but they'd keep them at Eames'.
That way, he could keep an eye on things.
And above all, to make this Newton understand that he wasn't just a partner for Eames.
And that he'd better not try anything.
If he didn't want to end up a eunuch.