I hadn’t planned on a name, let alone one that belongs to a real man.
“Peter,” Kade repeats, testing it. “Sounds . . . responsible.”
“Like I said,” Martha throws over her shoulder, keys jangling, “worth ten of you.”
I give Kade an apologetic look, my chest tight with too many emotions colliding at once. Him. The lie. The baby. Everything.
Inside, he pauses in the doorway, scanning the room. “Nice place.”
It reminds me painfully of the first time I brought him home and how nervous I was, how big he seemed in my small world. Standing here now feels like history folding in on itself.
I hang up my coat as Martha drops into an armchair, eyes never leaving him.
He shuts the door behind him. “Maybe we could order food?”
“We’re way past that,” Martha says flatly.
“You’re eating again,” he says, ignoring her. His eyes settle on me. “You look good.”
I rest a hand over the small swell of my stomach. His gaze follows instantly, pain carving lines into his face.
“I’m eating for two now,” I say quietly. “I don’t really have a choice.”
“Is it moving?” he asks, his voice barely above a breath.
“A little. Just bubbles.” I smile faintly. “Nothing that steals my breath yet.”
He inhales sharply. “Can I . . .” His hand hovers, waiting.
“No,” Martha snaps, diving up and stepping between us. “You don’t get to walk in here and act like you never left.”
“I didn’t leave,” he starts.
“You checked out,” she fires back. “When she needed you most, you shut down.”
“I didn’t handle it right,” he admits. “The news . . . the . . .” He swallows. “The attack. I see that now.”
“Well, you’re too late, so keep your hands to yourself.”
I should stop her, but I don’t. She stayed when I fell apart. She left the club for me. She earned this moment. And he needs to see how much he’s hurt us both.
“Tea?” I ask softly, heading for the kitchen.
Martha follows, shutting the door behind us. “What are you doing?” she hisses.
I grip the counter, lowering my head. “Seeing him brings everything back,” I admit. Her expression softens. “I don’t know what I’m doing, but I know I need to talk to him about the baby.” I fill the kettle. “We made this child together. I won’t shut him out completely. I won’t let Liam win.”
She wraps her arms around me from behind, pressing her cheek to my back.
“I love you,” she whispers. “Whatever you decide, I’m with you.”
When we return, Kade spins towards us, shoving his phone into his pocket. My chest tightens, and I picture the woman from the photo. Jealousy flares before I can crush it down. Becausemaybe that’s the real reason he doesn’t react with jealousy over Pete, my non-existent boyfriend.
Martha passes him. “Don’t upset her,” she mutters, heading upstairs.
He leans against the doorframe. “She hates me.”
“You earned it,” I say gently.
