“This is the choice you’re making? After I did everything you’ve ever asked of me, including going to your alma mater for college and law school? After I spent my life trying to make youhappy? After I’ve allowed you to treat me like a paralegal instead of a lawyer for years?”
Eric scoffs from where he’s sprawled out like he’s meant to take up as much room as he can in whatever room he’s in. The indifferent mask my father wears doesn’t falter. He simply gives a curt nod in response.
“Fine.”
With that, I turn around and make my way out of his office. I don’t look back. Hell, I don’t look at anyone. They can all go fuck themselves. The entire law office of Page and Prescott can burn to the ground for all I care.
It takes mere moments to collect my things because it was never worth making my desk mine. It would have been just another way for my father to look down on me. When I turn to leave, Tasha is standing there with devastation written all over her face. Her eyes go down to my baby bump and widen.
When she looks back up at me again, I shake my head slightly. “Not right now. I’ll call you later.”
“You better,” she hisses and motions toward my belly with wide eyes. “You have a lot to explain.” I watch as a lightbulb practically lights up over her head and she closes the distance between us. “Was it that hot guy from the club?”
The weight of everything that happened, everything that was said, starts to feel like it’s almost too much to carry. “Yes,” I whisper, not wanting my business going around this office which would be better suited as its own circle of hell. “I have to go.”
She nods absently, clearly still in shock. When I get to my car, I’m grateful to have bought it all on my own even though my father tried to get me some luxury brand that was more about hisstatus than my safety. The door slams and it’s like the sound and being in the safety of my car allows the dam to break.
Tears stream down my face and I desperately need comfort, but I have no one to call. I can’t even go home.
I should have moved out ages ago, but I thought saving was a better plan. Now I don’t have anywhere to live and a time limit before all my belongings become trash. For the most part, I don’t care about the stuff at their house, but I have a baby book hidden in my room which I’ve been filling in for the last four months.
What the fuck do I do now?
My baby kicks at that moment and I rub over the spot and sigh. Maybe there is one place I can go even though this is not the way I wanted to do this.
CHAPTER 7
BRIDGER
“Hi,” the voice from the reception area carries into the back and I sit up straighter.
It’s been months, but I know that voice. Hell, I’d know it anywhere.
“I,” there’s a pause and when she talks again, I can almost hear the tears in her voice, “I’m here to see Bridger if it’s not too much trouble and he’s not too busy. I don’t have an appointment or anything, but if you’d tell him Avery is here to see him, I’d appreciate it.”
Without looking at the table in front of me, I place my sketch pad down and turn toward the doorway between the back and front of the shop.
“Sure,” Dallas says, “Bridger is in the back right now, give me just a moment.”
“Okay,” Avery’s voice is small in a way which makes my chest feel tight.
Suddenly, I realize how quiet it’s become, the easy banter of the shop fading into the background. I look up and everyone is glancing between me and the doorway. I suck in a breath at the concerned look on Dallas’ face when she walks into the backroom with her eyes fixed on me.
My hands start to shake and then something starts to crack inside of me when I look over her shoulder to see Avery’s tearstained face peeking around the edge of the entrance. I stand up and my stool rolls and hits the tattoo chair behind me.
“Avery?” Her name comes out as a rasp.
I’m shocked to see her again after five months. She’s just as beautiful as she was that night, even though I can see the tear tracks on her cheeks and her red puffy eyes.
Dallas looks behind her and holds her hands up to step out of the walkway. It’s a good thing she does because I’m moving toward Avery before I really realize I’m doing it. Right before I get to the opening, Avery steps fully into view, no longer using the wall to block her body. Gasping in stereo happens as my gaze drops down Avery’s body and I freeze.
I think anyone would when seeing Avery’s obviously pregnant belly. Considering Tenley was pregnant only a few months ago, there’s not a question in my mind about what I’m looking at. This time on Avery.
On Avery.
What the fuck is going on?
Avery’s hands curl around her bump protectively.
