Heart racing, I grab my phone and send Jake a text:
We need to talk tonight. Alone.
I know he won’t be able to reply right away, which makes things even worse. I’m left pacing circles around my room.
I need to know what Jake is thinking—where he sees this headed. My plans were to go to school in the spring and pursue an English degree. But if I’m pregnant, that’s not really going to be possible.
And if Jake’s dad forces us to split up, what will I do then? Raise our child on my own?
No. My baby needs a dad. My baby needs Jake. And so do I.
The day goes by, and I keep checking my phone for a response, but there’s nothing. I even break our little rule and send him a nude of me in the bathroom, hoping he’ll at least reply to that.
But still nothing.
I’m starting to wonder if something serious has happened when finally, well after Mom and Dad and I have finished dinner, Jake comes home.
“Sorry,” he says, coming through the door. “Gus had a flood at the shop. I just spent the last few hours stacking wood so it wouldn’t get ruined.”
His eyes flick to me, carrying a hidden message that only I understand.I’m sorry. Yes, we will talk soon.
I excuse myself and go to the living room couch. I’m nervous—more nervous than I was when Jake took me for the first time.
This could be a tipping point for us, and every possible nightmare scenario is playing through my head.
It’s almost a half-hour before Jake joins me.
He takes a seat across from me as to not look suspicious. “What’s wrong? Are you all right?”
My pulse is racing. I feel hot—uncomfortably so. But I’m not wearing layers and have nothing to take off.
“Did your dad talk to you?” I ask.
“Yeah, we were just in the kitchen. I was eating leftovers—”
“Not chit-chat, Jake. I mean…” My voice trails off as I try to summon the courage for what needs to be said next. “I know about your inheritance.”
Jake frowns. “What?”
“And your dad—he’s suspicious about us. He’s thinking about cutting you off.”
He laughs. “Come on, you’re just being cautious. Dad doesn’t know anything about us. And he’d never cut me off.”
“Jake, I’m serious!” I hiss, trying to keep my voice down. “Maybe we haven’t been being as discrete as we think. Maybe he saw something. Orheardsomething!”
Ugh. The thought of Paul hearing the two of us going at it makes my stomach turn. I started off shy, but now my mouth is as dirty as Jake’s.
“This is ridiculous,” he scoffs, standing. “Piper, there’s nothing to worry about.”
I leap to my feet and get close. “Butwhat if, Jake? What if he knows? What if he threatens to cut you off if you don’t leave me?”
For the first time since I’ve known him, Jake’s face goes stony. Blank in a way that threatens to hollow my soul.
He lowers his eyes, looking at the floor.Notat me.
He actually looks shaken, which I didn’t think was possible. Not for a man who knocks out creeps with a single punch. For a man with callused hands and muscles for days.
Jake always has an answer ready. He’s a man of action. But right now, he’s hesitating.
