Stone’s eyes went wide, before he looked at Mae.
“You promise you’re okay? That everyone else is okay too?” His sister narrowed her eyes as she questioned him.
“Everyone’s fine. I just… I need to talk to Stone.”
“Okay. Stay out here. I’ll go busy myself with finding some drinks for you guys.”
“Thanks, Sissy.” Shit. Mae’s body went rigid as the nickname slipped out. He only ever used it when she needed comforting growing up.
Mae nodded, slipping back into the house, closing the front door behind her. Hawk turned and walked to the top step, letting his ass hit the wood before his head went into his hands.
“Tell me about whatever has you in knots. Now.”
He nodded. “Jessie’s pregnant.”
From the sharp inhalation next to him, Hawk knew that was quite possibly the last thing Stone was expecting him to say.
“And you’re upset because she finally moved on from you?”
He shook his head. “The baby’s mine.”
“What? When did you two?—”
“The night of Gunner and Lily’s vow renewal. The night you got back together with Mae. She told me she just wanted one more night together. That she’d been waiting, wanting… just like I had.”
“But she’s been freezing you out. I mean, I knew something must have happened because of how goddamn awkward you two are around each other now. But this… fuck.” Stone clamped his hand down on Hawk’s shoulder. “What is she going to do?”
“What do you mean?”
“Well, there are options. Is she going to go through with the pregnancy? You might be freaking out over nothing?—”
“I’m not freaking out,” Hawk barked. “I want Jessie. I want our baby. And she wants our baby too. Just about bit my head off about how she could do it all on her own. That pissed me off. Like I wouldn’t do everything in my power to make it work.”
Stone’s brows pulled together. “I didn’t think… Wasn’t this all just supposed to be a good time between the two of you?”
“It’s always been more for me, Doc. Always.”
His friend smiled. “Shit,” he laughed. “Never thought I’d see the day you’d be excited about settling down. Should have seen it coming though, with the way you look at her. It’s probably the same dopey way I look at your sister.”
Hawk nodded.
“So, she’s pregnant. And you’re gonna be a dad.”
A gasp filled the air as Mae stepped out onto the porch, both hands holding onto ceramic mugs.
“Who’s pregnant?” Her question hung heavy between them. “You’re going to be a dad?
“Yeah. Jessie and I, we’re having a baby together. I just found out, and I?—”
He hated seeing the tears fill his sisters eyes.
“And the first thing you thought was to come here?”
Hawk froze. Shit. It was the wrong move. He’d wanted to be open and honest about it to protect Mae. She never opened up to him about her miscarriage, and he never wanted to push.
“I didn’t want to hide it from you. I know it’s a sensitive subject and I know you’re still hurting from everything you went through last year. I was here to tell Stone, so that he could tell you however you needed to hear it. I’m so sorry, Mae. I didn’t want to hurt you.”
“Hurt me? I can’t believe that out of everyone, you would think to come tell us first.” Her face changed into a genuine smile. “All this time, I never knew how to talk to you about what I went through last year, and you still were thoughtful enough to make sure I was okay with the news about you becoming a dad. Hawk, I’m thrilled!” Her arms wrapped around him. “You are going to be the best dad. And I’m going to be an aunt again! I mean, a biological aunt this time, but I love my aunt status. Holy crap… Everyone is going to freak out! How are you not freaking out?”
