I almost scoff but fight the urge. I don’t want this to be an argument. “There’s no point going over it now,” I say, pushing tomy feet. “It’s done. And now we’re here, having a baby together,” I pause, the pain twisting my heart, “Just like we always wanted.”
A knock sounds at the door before he can respond.
I freeze, listening to Martha’s footsteps as she rushes to answer it.
Her head pops around the corner. “Edes? Pete’s here.”
Kade straightens immediately, shoulders squaring in a way that’s instinctive. Defensive.
“Send him in,” I say, my stomach flipping violently.
Pete steps inside, his smile already in place until his eyes land on Kade. The smile falters. Just for a second.
“Oh,” he says. “Hey.”
Kade rises to his feet, polite but guarded. “Alright.”
The air thickens instantly.
“This is Peter,” I say, hating the way my voice wobbles. “My . . .” I hesitate just a beat too long then force it out. “Boyfriend.”
The word tastes wrong in my mouth. I wince slightly and flick my eyes to Pete, silently begging him to go along with it.
He doesn’t hesitate.
He steps closer, looping an arm around my shoulders with surprising ease, pulling me gently into his side. “Yeah,” he says easily. “Hi.”
Kade’s gaze drops to Peter’s arm. It lingers there a moment too long.
“Good to meet you,” Kade eventually mutters, offering his hand.
Pete releases me just enough to shake it. “You too.”
Kade nods towards me. “I didn’t realise I’d be intruding. If it’s not okay for me to stop over, I can—”
“It’s fine,” I blurt. My heart is racing now, panic fuelling bad decisions. I glance at Pete. “You’re staying tonight, right?”
The words hang there, heavy, dangerous.
Peter blinks then nods, a little stiff. “Yeah. Yeah, I am.”
Kade’s jaw tightens for a second.
“Right,” he says evenly. “Good.” He turns back to me. “I won’t get in the way.”
And I realise too late that the lie hasn’t protected anyone.
It’s only made everything hurt more.
CHAPTER FIVE
EDEN
The second we get into my bedroom, I spin on Pete.
“Oh my god, I am so sorry,” I rush out, slamming my hands over my mouth. “I told him I was seeing someone and then your name came up and I just rolled with it. He’s leaving tomorrow, so I didn’t think it’d cause a problem, and I really didn’t think you’d come face to face.” I groan into my hands, panic swallowing me whole. “And now, you’re in my room, and he’s . . . oh shit, he’s in my spare room.”
Pete grabs my wrists, pulling my hands from my face. “Breathe,” he instructs, and I stare into his eyes, following his inhale and exhale. He gives a nod, satisfied. “I’m gonna take a wild guess that he’s the daddy?”
