“Oh…yeah. Is he behaving himself out there?” I could hear the distaste in his voice. My father was never a fan of Jack Hennicke due to his playboy ways and disobedience to his family. It was quite ironic. If only Dad could have seen him now.
A fake laugh came out before I replied. “He’s doing fine, Dad. No need to worry about anything.”
God, this guilt was killing me. I was almost five months pregnant and keeping a massive secret from my father, the only family I had. My stomach churned.
I would tell him at some point. Jack and I planned on telling our parents together in the coming weeks.
“Good.” His tone was firm, and there was a pause. “Anyway, I called because I have a surprise. I’m flying out to visit you on Wednesday!”
I flew up from lying on my back.
What?
Wednesday? Today was Monday, which meant he would be here intwo days.
Two. Freaking. Days.
Two days to prepare for the nightmare I was about to encounter when he found out about Jack and me. Dealing with my dad would be a bloody massacre when he found out I was carrying a baby. Let aloneJack Hennicke’sbaby. While I was only five months into my pregnancy, there was no doubt my bump was beginning to show.
“Dad…I’m not sure that’s such a great idea. There’s a lot going on right now, and I just don’t think we would have much time since we’re so busy. I’m thankful you’re thinking of me, butcould we push it back a couple of weeks?” Genuine sorrow filled my voice, but I couldn’t handle having to come clean about Jack and my actual situation. Not yet, at least.
“Honey, you know I’d love to do what works best for you, but this is my only week off. Season just ended here, and I’ve got to drive the horses up to New York with Wally on Sunday. I promise you don’t have to cancel any plans for me. I just want to spend time with ya.”
Fuck.Fuck my empathy for my sweet, loving father, and fuck my decision to be dishonest for so long. I had no idea how my dad would take the news, or how he would react to my withholding of the truth for so long, but I made the decision. It was time I dealt with the consequences.
“Of course, Dad. I’m so excited that you’re coming.”
“I’m excited too. I’ll see you in a couple of days, Maggie. I love you.” His voice betrayed his excitement.
“Love you, Dad.”
I let my phone drop to my bed after hanging up and flopped backward with a groan. How thehellwas this going to turn out? I had kept small secrets from my dad before. Hell, there was no way I considered informing him of my secret hookup, whom he happened to despise and who happened to live two doors away.
But this,thiswas a secret I was damn sure he would resent me for keeping from him for years to come. Every time he looked at his grandchild, he would remember the four months I lied to him about my pregnancy.
God. All those years he spent taking care of me and loving me as best he could, and I repaid him by lying about my fake husband, my fake life, and my very real baby. All I had to do was come clean to him the day I left for Wyoming, and none of this would be happening.
Truthfully, I was afraid to tell him because he instilled in me at a young age that I shouldn’t be held down by a family, yet. ThatI had an entire world to explore and wealthy sponsors to play for. He saw as bright a future for me as I dreamed, and I didn’t want to let him down. And technically, I wasn’t giving up on that dream. I would still work my way up as a female professional. It was just on hold for a few months. Or maybe I would indulge and revel in motherhood. Sometimes I couldn’t get the idea of becoming a family out of my head. Nonetheless, guilt ate up my insides.
A soft knock on my door pulled me from my freak-out. It opened slightly, revealing a still-sleepy Jack, who wore his casual uniform: gray sweatpants, a bare chest, and ruffled blonde hair. Except this morning, a look of concern consumed his face. I sat up on my elbows. Not having the energy to speak just yet, I tapped on the bed. My gorgeous, still-dazed, fake husband stumbled into the room further, stopping at my window to shut the curtains. I silently thanked him for blocking the early-morning sun from invading my room. Jack dropped beside me on the bed, lying closer than he should. His rough fingertips grazed my forearm, sending tingles up my neck.
“Everything good?” he asked, his voice still thick with sleep. “Who was on the phone?”
I shifted, not wanting to come to terms with the reality that Jack and I would soon have to face. Taking advantage of his closeness, I turned to wrap my arms around his neck and rested my cheek on his hard chest.
Skin on skin.
His breath caught, and, for a moment, I was worried I had taken it too far.
Sure, we had become more affectionate as the weeks went on. A little reassuring touch here, a thank-you hug there. But we hadn’t lain on a bed together since…
Yeah. That was dangerous to think about.
I couldn’t get that close to him.
But Jack couldn’t read my thoughts. He dove in head-first anyway, just like he did with everything else in his life. Full-force. Every time.
His thick hands landed on my waist and pulled me closer to him.More skin.I breathed deep, sneaking a smell of his intoxicating leather scent, and letting my fingers roam into his hair. I let myself believe it was the heat of the moment. My dad had just freaked me out. I was carrying a baby. I was a thousand miles from the only place I’d ever known.
