“How are you feeling?”Trevor whispers into my ear, making me jump as we walk down the jet bridge, getting off the plane.
“What?” I ask, my eyes flicking between his. He doesn’t know, does he? How? Did my mom tell him?
“You’ve been looking a little green. Did the ride make you feel sick? Have you eaten?”
“Oh.” I blink, shaking my head. “Ah, yeah, a little motion sickness, nothing to worry about. No, I haven't eaten anything. I'm not really hungry.”
He kisses the side of my head, stopping once we get into the airport and turns to face me, pulling me into his arms. “You gotta eat,” he says, then leans in closer. “You’re eating for two now.” He smiles softly, and my stomach rolls with guilt.
I try to fight the urge to cry. How the hell do I tell him I lost the baby? He’s been nothing but amazing throughout all of this.
But if I do, it’s just another thing he knows that the guys don’t. Another reason for them to be pissed. I don’t want them questioning why Trevor knew and they didn’t.
I just seem to be digging myself deeper and deeper, covering things up with more lies and denial, until I’m not going to be able to find a way out.
That's an issue for another day. Right now, I just need to survive today.
Thankfully, Donny catches up, taking my carry-on bag from me. “Got your stuff, Cherry,” he says, leaning in to press a kiss to my cheek.
“Thanks.” I smile, praying he can’t see that something's wrong.
As we’re heading down to baggage claim, Colton stops. “I’m just going to grab a drink. I’m thirsty,” he mutters as we pass one of the little convenience store kiosks.
The guys chat while I wait off to the side. My head is hurting, my body is aching, and all I want to do is go home, curl up in my bed and sleep.
The summer is over now, and it’s time to go back to the real world. Something I’ve been dreading for weeks.
My eyes wander around the store, stopping when I get to the magazine rack. My brows furrow when I spot a familiar face.
“What the…” I whisper, picking up the magazine. As I flip through the pages, landing on the two page spread, my heart clenches in my chest.
Lennox and Missi, posing together, smiling for the photo. The article is titled “NFL superstar’s son. Soon to be husband and father.” And it says they’re the newITcouple, as they answer questions about their up and coming wedding.
When my attention lands on where their hands rest on her belly, that's when I feel another piece of my soul shatter. It’s not very big, but it’s there.
I have to swallow back the tears as my hand starts to move toward my own belly. Closing my eyes, I snatch my hand back and grip the magazine so tight, it crumbles in my hand.
“Rylee? Baby, what's wrong?” Mateo asks, his voice filled with concern. I stay nothing, my breaths becoming quicker as I struggle not to break.
Mateo takes my hand, and I let go of the magazine so he can grab it.
“What the fuck is this?!” he shouts, flipping through the pages eagerly. With a growl, he rips it in half before shoving the whole rack down to the ground.
“Mateo.” Colton comes rushing out of the store. “What the hell?”
“That fucking bastard,” Mateo growls. “Fucking flaunting it for the whole world now!” Mateo shakes his head. “He has no fucking shame, does he?”
“We need to get out of here before they call the cops.” Colton looks down at the magazine, understanding dawning on him. “Sorry about that,” he tells the now very angry shop owner. “Here.” He pulls out his wallet and hands over a few hundred dollar bills. “Again, so sorry.”
“I’m not,” Mateo growls. “Fuck him. And fuck that bitch!” Mateo storms off, and I just stand there, staring at the mess of magazines on the ground in disbelief.
Airport security comes over, and Colt gives me a smile. “I’ve got this. You guys go get our bags.”
I nod. So much for all the progress we made. We've not even been back in California for ten minutes and everything is already going to shit.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Ithought getting away and going to Florida for the summer was our ticket to peace, but we haven't even been back here for more than five minutes and the mood is solemn.
