Page 20 of Eternal Pieces
One.
The alarm rings and Max abruptly switches it off. “Ready?” He looks at me and then at Maddox, who is still holding on to me. Right now, the comfort of his strong arms around me is what I need.
Maddox walks me closer to the sink with Max keeping close to our side.
We all see it at the same time.
Two unmistakable pink lines stare back at us from all three tests.
None of us says a word as we take the revelation in. Maddox whimpers and I see from his reflection that he’s crying. Reaching up, I wipe his cheeks, and he puts me down so I can kiss away his happy tears. Then I hold out my arm for Max to join in our hug.
“We’re having a baby,” I say with the biggest smile.
Maddox asks what we’re all thinking, “What happens next?”
“Whatever Violet wants. This is all on your terms, sweetheart. We’ll book a scan and only tell people once you’re ready.”
I think all I want right now is to enjoy this moment with them both. Classes start up again in a few days, and it’ll be nonstop studying for finals. I’d rather keep this between us for a little while longer.
“How about we save the planning for another day and celebrate instead?” I lead them both to the bedroom.
“What did you have in mind?” Maddox cocks a brow.
“I can think of a few ideas,” I tease, lowering to my knees in front of them.
CHAPTER 11
MADDOX
After what was the best winter break of my life—days of solid fucking topped off with an engagement and a pregnancy—it’s been three months of hard work as I turn the building I bought with Dad’s help into an actual functioning auto shop.
It’s situated just on the outskirts of town, close enough to our home at the cabin so I don’t have to travel too far.
Music blasts throughout the large empty space, the drums ofArchitectsbouncing off the walls. A warm breeze comes through the open doors and helps to blow away some of the old smells of dust and chemicals that linger no matter how hard I scrub the place clean. It sets my spirits high.
I whistle along to the music from the top of a ladder as I change another faulty bulb. Max is below me, helping to deep clean the place.
It’s crazy to think that one day it’ll be open for business. I get to finally have a purpose. Maddox the fuck up, Maddox the one who was never good enough, Maddox the second thought is now a business owner.
I may not have succeeded at high school or gone to college, but I know plenty about cars, and I can’t wait to show off my skills here. Between cleaning days, I’ve been using the space tofix my own baby up since Max fucked her with his damn baseball bat. She was pretty banged up, but she’s all better now. I even got her a few aesthetic improvements, like new leather upholstery, since Max paid for it all.
“You could hire someone to do all this,” Max grumbles, rubbing his shoulder as he scrubs a thick layer of grime off the windows.
“I could, but this feels more personal. Plus, we’ve got nothing better to do. I can’t handle you sitting at home, checking your phone every two minutes while Vi’s at college. How’s your job hunt going?”
“I have an interview in two weeks.”
“Another one? That’s good. I hope you get it this time.” He may not have any experience other than baseball, but he’s smart. Way smarter than me. I’m shocked that one of the companies he’s applied for hasn’t picked him up yet.
He rubs the wet cloth against the glass harder. “Most places don’t want to hire someone who might not show up every day because they’re stuck in bed with crippling pain.”
Realizing how pissed off he actually is, I climb down from the ladder. “Shit, Max, I didn’t think it would be like that.”
He gives me a look telling me to shut up already, but I can’t drop this. “They’re not allowed to discriminate, I’m sure Dad could get involved and help you out.”
“I don’t need his help.” He tosses the cloth aside and heads to the small restroom on the other side of the floor. I follow him, and he glares at me in the mirror as he cleans his hands at the sink.
“Got something else to say?”
