“Hey, Ma.”
“Good morning my baby,” Pam’s voice sang. “I know it’s Sabine’s big day and I know how important this is for the both of you, but I just needed to hear my son’s voice and I feel like you needed to hear mine.”
“I did, Ma…thank you.” Adair rubbed at the back of his neck as he exhaled. She always knew.
“Mhm. I could feel it in my chest this morning. Had to light a little sage and say a prayer over you.”
“I love you, Ma.” He laughed, warmth spreading through his body like heat from one of her good meals.
“I love you more. I’m proud of you. Both of you. You hear me?” she said. “Don’t matter what y’all been through. You still show up for her and she still let you.”
Adair swallowed. His throat tightened. Pam paused like she was waiting, like she could hear more in his silence than he was saying. Like she knew there was something he was holding it.
“She’s pregnant,” he said, voice quiet but sure. There was a beat of stunned silence.
And then Pam screamed. The kind that made him yank the phone away from his ear as her joyful shriek echoed.
“LORD HAVE MERCY! ARE YOU SERIOUS? YOU LYIN’, ADAIR DAYNE, I SWEAR TO GOD?—”
“I ain’t lyin’,” he said, chuckling now. “Calm down momma.”
“I’M DOIN’ THE FOOTSIE! OH, BABY—” He could hear it too—the faint sound of her feet tapping in place, like a fast shuffle. “That’s my girl. I KNEW IT. I KNEW SOMETHIN’ WAS GOIN’ ON WITH HER. Her skin looked too damn clear last Sunday!”
Adair dropped his head and laughed fully now, pinching the bridge of his nose. “Keep it to yourself for now,” he said. “Sabine hasn’t told anybody.”
“I ain’t gon’ say a word. I’m just gon’ praise the Lord and wait ‘til she do. Oh baby, thank you. Thank you for telling me. You didn’t have to, but you did.”
“I wanted to. I just…I wanted you to know.”
“You sound like yourself again, Adair. That’s the part that’s gon’ make me cry.” Pam’s sniffles nearly got him. “Go be excellent. I’m prayin’ for you. For your family.”
“I feel it,” he murmured. “I really do.”
Just then, a knock sounded at his door again.
“I gotta go. I’ll call you after.”
“I love you, my baby.”
“I love you too momma,” he hung up then belted. “Come in.”
“Well, congratulations are in order, I suppose.” Corrine stepped in, tablet in hand. She was wearing a dark navy dress, fitted and crisp. Her expression was neutral, polished like always, though he noted the slightly raised brow as she spoke.
“Damn, the fuck you got bionic ears?” Adair’s smile dimmed. He just knew her nosy ass had her ear pressed to the door. “Can I help you with something?”
“Are we riding over together?” she asked.
The silence in the room thickened just enough before he answered. He didn’t say anything right away. Just looked at her. That look alone said it all.Why the hell would we do that?
Corrine cleared her throat. “Since we’re both co-lead counsel?—”
“I’mlead counsel, you are co. I’m driving my car,” Adair cut in, voice even but clipped. “See you there.” He didn’t break eye contact.
Corrine held his gaze a moment longer, then gave a tight nod and turned on her heel, closing the door behind her. Adair sat back down, ignoring the flicker of annoyance she always managed to stir. This wasn’t about her. It hadn’t been for a long time. Today wasn’t her story, it was Sabine’s and his role in it was simple:
Show up.
Protect her interests.