Aiden Harper

F*ck around and find out, part 2

Eden

On Friday, we spent the day playing board games to cure boredom. I didn't mind since Matt and Nora teased each other. We heard a knock on the side door to the kitchen before it opened.

"Knock, knock," a woman said.

"Hey, Sydney. Come in," Nora said.

An older woman and man entered the house and shuffled to the table.

"Eden, this is Sydney and Greg. They're Aiden and Diego's other great-grandparents," Nora introduced us.

I waved and smiled. "Hi."

"They're also Tino and his cousins' great-grandparents since Aunt Tori is Grandpa Gabe's sister," Aiden explained.

My brothers lifted in surprise at that revelation.

"Did you want to join us?" Nora asked.

"We would love to," Sydney said, smiling, sitting beside Diego while Greg sat beside Matt.

"Gabe mentioned Nate had issues at the auto shop," Greg said.

"Yeah, Rueben Diaz threw a shit fit and destroyed the waiting room. Elias sent Owen to assess the damages and send the bill to Mr. Diaz. I won't have a prick damage my property because he threw a tantrum," Matt said.

"Let me know. I'll send legal paperwork to Mr. Diaz."

"You will not," Sydney said.

"Syd."

Sydney shook her head. "Gregory, you're not a lawyer but a judge now. Let the younger generation handle the legalities."

"It doesn't mean I stop practicing."

"I would rather you retire. Gabe and Tori have been asking you to retire."

"Syd, you never retire from the law."

"We'll see about that."

I smiled as I listened to Aiden's grandparents. They were funny, like Matt and Nora.

We restarted the game, so Sydney and Greg joined us. I didn't mind since I never played board games with my mom and Rueben. Mia got that pleasure. My lips turned downward at how my mom and Rueben favored Mia over me.

"What's wrong?" Aiden asked.

I noticed everyone looking at me before turning my gaze to Aiden. "My mom and Rueben never played games with me. They always played with Mia. Rueben told me to play with my other toys unless Mia wanted my toy. Then I had to hand it over. I guess that goes for boyfriends, too."

"Your mom and Rueben indulged that bitch. They missed out on a sweet girl. Your dad wants to meet you on Sunday. At least that's a plus."

"Sunday? What's happening on Sunday?" Sydney asked.

"I'm meeting my biological father at the bakery for the first time," I said.

"And how do you feel about that?"

A little nervous. We've been video calling or talking on the phone since we found out the truth about my paternity. I wasn't sure what to expect with Raymond Billings."

"Did you say Raymond Billings?" Greg asked.

"Yeah. Why?" My brows pinched together.

"Did Raymond tell you what he does for a living?"

"Not really. He said he got a job with Gray Manufacturing in Michigan. Why?"

"Raymond Billings created a prototype of a car part that signals an issue with a car and alerts the owner. The owner would receive an alert on their phone and give details about the issue."