Page 108 of Unbearable
“Why did you tell him you were pregnant like it was some kind of deal breaker?” I ask, still so happy for them I can’t stop smiling.
Lenny moves her hands to her stomach. “I don’t know. I panicked and thought he should know I’m kind of a package deal now.”
Red laughs. “Like that would change my mind.” In a quick movement, Red has his arms wrapped around her.
“What are you doing?” Lenny yelps at Red when he hauls her up off her feet.
“I’m taking you inside where we can celebrate me making an honest woman out of you. Right now.” And then he carries her inside the house.
“Why would he make an honest woman out of her? Did she lie?” Nova asks me, curiously wondering what that meant.
I look to Colt, who’s standing beside us now, for an answer.
“She’s been naughty. He’s going to spank her probably.”
My hand flies out to slap Colt on the back of the head. “You dirty old man, don’t tell her that.”
Nova looks at me, and then Tyler, then back to me. “How’d the baby get in Lenny’s belly?”
Tyler and I both stare at her and Colt chuckles. “You’re on your own on that one. I’m too dirty.” And he walks away.
Nova doesn’t even acknowledge Colt, she’s waiting on our answer and I’m thinking at any second she might ask if it has anything to do with a V or a D but she doesn’t.
Thankfully, Ollie, Nova’s little neighbor friend walks up. “I found that baseball we lost.”
Nova’s eyes light up. “Now we can play again.”
Thank fuck.
Tyler laughs and wraps his arm around me. “That was a close one.”
“You’re not kidding.”
Staring at him now, I think back to Lenny being pregnant and his reaction. “Don’t worry,” I tell him raising my hand up to run over his jaw. He watches me, curious what I’m going to say. “We’ll have a family someday.”
He gives me a half smile. “I know we will.”
I’m not sure he’s completely okay with the idea, and I know it might always bother him, but I make a vow right then to always help him through this in whatever way I can. Together.
Leaning in, his lips linger on my ear. “I’m sorry I can’t give you that.”
I know what he’s referring to. A baby. “Don’t be,” I tell him, meaning the words more than anything I’ve ever said to him. “You give me what I need.”
Though he seems satisfied with my words, the sadness still lingers in his eyes. Pulling me in, his lips brush the top of my head. Not quite a kiss but as if he’s drawing in my scent. He sighs and rests his chin on the crown of my head. “I love you.”
The lightness of his tone and the gentle way he says it makes me smile. I know I don’t need to say it back, but I do.
TINY TWINKLE lights shine through the yard and Tyler eyes my drink in my hand. “What’s that, girl?” His eyes are bright, the side of his face bathed in a warm glow.
I smile. I love it when he calls me girl. Reminds me of when I was younger, tying in my past memories to the future ones we’re making right now. “It’s half piña colada and half strawberry daiquiri.”
He breathes out, uneven and shaky. “Oh man.”
I laugh. “Should I go grab a bottle of whiskey and you can pull my hair later?”
“No, I’m off the whiskey these days.” He grabs my ass with one hand and squeezes. “But I’d love to still pull your hair.”
It’s true. Tyler hasn’t drank an ounce of liquor since the accident. I’m not sure he ever will again and I’m okay with that. If he thinks it’s for the best, then it is.
