Jo sniffed back tears. “I want her home, too, but she’s as stubborn as her father.”
“She’ll come.”
thirty-two
GRAY
Gray’sbiggest regret of her life to date—calling her mom while she was hysterically crying after leaving Ciar’s flat.
That single misstep would cost her. Her parents were likely planning World War III, and they would only have one target. Ciar Murphy.
She’d texted her mom as soon as she’d landed in Dublin and told her that she’d overreacted.
Gray: It was a surprise.
Gray: He never said he loved me anyway.
Gray: Once I tell my friends about the baby, I’ll figure out the Ciar thing.
Gray: No worries. Tell Dad I’m fine.
And her only hope.
Gray: Give me a few days, please.
Her mom’s only response.
Mom: We love you.
Evasion.
“Fuck,” Gray muttered as she tossed her suitcase and backpack on her bed. It was great to be home, but her parents weren’t the only shitstorm she was dealing with. One was waiting for her in the living room, making the binding of dread across her ribs tighten.
It was early evening by the time she’d disembarked and ordered an Uber to take her home. During the lift, she’d texted her friends to meet her. As she came out of her bathroom, she heard their conversation filtering through the house.
Reminding herself that it would be easier to tell her friends than it had been to tell her dad and brother, she took a deep breath and walked toward the voices.
As soon as they saw Gray, Bébhinn, Mags, and Blair jumped up and ran to her side.
“Missed you.” Mags hugged her tight.
Blair only gripped Gray’s hands and squeezed. They didn’t need words.
“It feels like you’ve been gone forever.” Bébhinn kissed her cheek.
Dagr, Jonathan, and Daniel were at the kitchen table looking way too much like triplets, much to her amusement. The only amusing thing about the day.
“You’ve been crying, Gray. Best tell us what the hell this is about, before I lose my shit,” Daniel said evenly.
Gray winced, thinking that it wasn’t that many months ago that he and his family were told surprising news that ripped hisfamily apart. Her news wouldn’t change his family, but it would definitely shift their friend dynamic, and Gray hated that.
The girls sat in the empty chairs with Bébhinn perched on Dagr’s lap. All eyes were on Gray. No turning back now.
“I’m almost five months pregnant, and Ciar broke up with me because he had a baby with another woman. I went to his flat this morning and saw for myself. I know you know, Jonathan, but I didn’t know if anyone else did.”
In the silence, she said, “I learned about my baby last night and about Ciar’s only hours ago.”
“Holy shit!” Blair signed.
