He was as much a pawn in his uncle’s scheme as I was.
“I made—” Holding my breath, I drop the hot pan of oatmeal raisin cookies on the kitchen table with a bang. “Sorry,” I close my eyes and try to breathe through the uncomfortable rush that assaults my senses. When I open them everyone is staring. “Cookies,” I croak. “I made them for you.”
Austin stares back with aNo shit, Sherlockraise of his brows.
“Are you okay?” Lexi walks over and touches my hand. Her brow etches with the same perpetual concern she’s worn since the day Leighton left, only this time it holds a different meaning.
I open my mouth, an excuse on the tip of my tongue, but the words die in my throat and a surge of emotion settles around me. I should tell her. I’ve been meaning to. I can’t hide it forever.
“I’m pregnant.” The admission blurts from my mouth and with it an even more forceful wave of nausea follows. It’s not as if I planned to tell my sister this way; the truth just comes out.
I don’t stay to see if there’s disappointment on her face, or shock from the guys, because I’m already mid-run to the trashcan where I toss my cookies.Literally. After my stomach is empty, I drop to the floor on a groan and hang my head in my hands.
How could I be so stupid?I’m just like my mother. The very real fear something will happen to me like it did to her hits me square in the chest, and if I weren’t already sitting it’d knock me on my ass. What if this child never knows the love of a mother’s arms? Or never has a relationship with Leighton? The thought is crippling.
“So, uh, we should . . .” Trent stammers. “Impromptu band meeting in the basement. Jess comes, too.” The shuffle of feet and whispers fade as everyone heads down the hall.
Lexi sits on the floor next to me and rubs my back. “Hey, it’s okay. Everything’s gonna be okay.”
I lift my gaze and I don’t try to hide the worry from my face. “How can you say that? Nothing is okay right now. The man I loved and trusted is gone. How do I tell him? Will he even want to be involved? I’m alone and pregnant and completely clueless how to navigate any of this.” Tears spring to my eyes and it takes everything to not curl into a ball.
“First off, you are not alone. You got that?” She stares. “I’m assuming it’s Leighton’s?”
I nod.
There’s no judgment in her eyes. “How far along?”
I take another breath. “About two months.”
“If you don’t want to keep it . . .”
My head shakes with a vigorous no. There’s no doubt in my mind I want this child. It was never a question.
“Because whatever you decide, I’m here for you. We’re sisters. We stick together.”
“I want this baby. It’s the one thing I’m sure of.”
She nods. “Then we need to find you a doctor and get you started on whatever it is pregnant mamas need. And rest. Lots of rest. You shouldn’t be baking and taking care of everything like you are.”
“No, it’s good. I need to work. Staying busy helps.”
She tilts her head. “But you’ll rest more. Promise. At least until we visit a doctor and you get the all clear.”
I nod and stare at the floor. My vision blurs but I blink back the tears. “I’m scared,” I whisper.
“I know.” Lexi lays her head on my shoulder and wraps her arm protectively around my body. “You really want this?” And we both understand what she’s asking. Am I ready for the responsibility? Am I okay with giving up my newfound freedom—my youth—to be a mom?
“I really do.” My hand settles on my abdomen. From the outside my body looks the same, but I know from those pink-lined sticks I bought a few days ago, there’s a miracle underneath the surface.
“Are you gonna tell him?” she says. “At least talk to him?”
“I want to.” I need to. If there’s one mistake from my mother’s past I refuse to repeat, it’s keeping a child from knowing her father. A flicker of hope blooms in my chest at the image of Leighton as a daddy. He’ll make an excellent one, I’m certain. I shake off the thought, because we aren’t a perfect little family. He may want nothing to do with this child, and I need to guard my heart for that. “Will you help me find him?”
“Of course. I’d do anything for you. And this little nugget, too.” Her free hand rests gently atop mine and for the first time since discovering this news I allow myself to soak up the joy of it all.
“I’m gonna be a mama.”
“Yes.” My sister’s voice is taut with emotion. “And you made me an aunt.” She laughs, the closest thing to a giggle I’ve ever heard from her lips.
