“Not mad. Frustrated.”
“Withme?” I scoff. Clearly Mom has got her hooks into him if he’s already blaming me for ruining today. “What the hell did I do? I haven’t seen you all day.”
“Exactly. You disappeared, Gem. Turned off your phone and didn’t tell anyone where you were.”
“I’ve told you before, you’re not my handler.”
He grumbles under his breath, dragging his palm down his face, spine rigid. I’ve never seen him like this. Nodding slowly, his hand settles over his mouth like he’s physically stopping himself from saying something rash. After a deep breath, he drops his hand and turns to me, voice calm. “I didn’t know if you were sick again. Or hurt. Worse. I’ve been worried all morning.”
Duh.The baby.I swear these hormones are making me stupid, and now I feel like a bitch. Of course he’d be worried about the baby. Having him—anyone—in the picture is still an adjustment, but since we’re doing this together, taking him into consideration needs to start immediately. “Hey…” I place my hand on his forearm. “Iknow I need to be better about keeping you in the loop with the baby. But everything’s oka?—”
“Not just the baby, Willa. You.I’ve been worried aboutyouall morning.”
Oh. “Why?”
“Because you’ve mentioned how much you hate it here. How horrible it was for you.”
Aw,shit. Now I feel like a super bitch.I didn’t even think about it when I left this morning. Staying away is how I cope when I come home. No one’s ever had a problem with it until now. That the father of my child might be concerned about my well-being never even crossed my mind.
“Hot cheese!” Harv bursts through the doors right as I open my mouth to apologize. Trevor drops his gaze and turns back to the bar as Harv sets the mozzarella sticks down. “It’s good seeing you, Willa. The game’s back on, so I’ll leave you to handle these. Don’t be a stranger, okay?”
“No stranger than you.” I fake a smile as he squeezes my hand. He disappears into the kitchen, leaving Trevor and I in awkward silence. After several minutes, I whisper, “I’m sorry, Trev.” I swing my legs around to face him, waiting until his eyes meet mine to finish. “You’re right. I should have told you I was leaving.”
“I’m not trying to control what you do or who you’re with. Your business is yours alone. But it would be nice to know you’re okay.”
“Okay. I can do that… I’m just not used to people caring, I guess. But I can do better.”
“Thank you.” With a smirk, he steals a mozzarella stick. “Now let’s see what’s so special about these that pissing your mom off on Thanksgiving is worth it.”
“Oh God, what did she say now?” I roll my eyes, but giggle at the deepening smile on his face.There he is.
“Very colorful language for eight in the morning.”
“I’m sure it’ll come full circle when I break the news.”
“We.” He taps my foot with his. “Whenwebreak the news… Have you thought about when you want to do it?”
I don’twantto do it at all. But I think having him participate in the conversation will only make things worse. “After dinner tonight. I’m hoping the pie lessens the blow,” I tease. “But let me handle it. It’ll be best coming from only me.”
“Willa…”
“It’ll be best that way. Please, just trust me.” I can’t help the grimace that pinches my face. I’m not even sure I believe myself at this point.
He slips a hand on my shoulder, giving it a little shake. “It’ll all be okay.”
I sure fucking hope so.
CHAPTER TWENTY
WILLA
That hopeful shit was short-lived. As soon as Trevor and I walked back into my parent’s house, Mom was on one. Not with Trevor.Nooo. He can do no wrong in my parent’s eyes.
Ashlie and Hunter have invited him to a few family gatherings over the years, and my parents are completely taken with him. When I told them Trevor was coming again this year, they didn’t even hesitate before asking how they could accommodate his stay. They have no idea he’s the other half of their future grandchild.
Mom’s problems today are solely with me. First, she took issue with me being gone all morning, grumbling about hours wasted on food prep like she wouldn’t have sent me out of the kitchen if I so much as looked at her side dishes. When I tried to appease her, despite my aversion to every single smell coming from the stove, I was in the way. Now I’m selfish for staying out of her way, and she’s made sure everyone at this dinner knows it. Her glare cuts across the table anytime I say something. I’m finding it harder to remain neutral with my rage bubbling under the surface.
“Any set date for the wedding?” Dad asks Hunter and Ashlie. His bald head shines under the chandelier lights, dark brown skin wrinkled at the corners of his eyes.
