“Right. You’ve been living at home for a while.”
“Yes,” I admit. “Wait, are you still going to give me a ticket?” I joke, because suddenly it feels the moment could use one.
I notice his throat move with a swallow. “No. But you are going to move in with me,” he demands firmly.
The entire earth stops.
Because he isn’t joking.
3
CARTER
Rosie stares at me, her doe eyes wide in awe. She’s probably struggling to grasp what I just said.
“Uh, can you repeat that?” She hasn’t blinked yet due to temporary shock.
“You’re moving in with me.” I’m adamant and with good reason.
I’m going to be a dad.
Rosie is going to be a mom.
The baby is going to be ours.
Unexpected or not, we’re both already so deep into the confidence that a baby isn’t a disappointment or reason to panic.
That night wasn’t planned. This news sure as hell didn’t cross our minds as a possibility.
Nor was finding out when I witnessed the mother of my child spew all over the ground before she shared the news.
I should be stuck in shock. Unable to comprehend every word she said.
However, it doesn’t happen. Instead, it sets off an instant rocket inside me, and I’ll be damned if I don’t step up in this very moment to provide for this kid and Rosie. How it’s going to go, considering Rosie is my ex-wife, I’m not entirely sure.
She bursts out laughing, and I was expecting this.
Rosie wiggles a pointed finger in my direction. “You’re crazy. You know that, right?”
Rolling my eyes, I let her dial down her hysterics while I open her car door and reach across the seat for water and crackers that I see in the cupholder. Her laughter finally dies down by the time the door shuts, and I offer her the refreshments.
She yanks the bottle of water from my hand and opens the cap to rinse out her mouth. Screwing the cap back on, she grabs the crackers and stuffs one into her mouth.
I can only glower at her.
“I’m not moving in,” she says with her mouth full.
I swipe the bottle from her hand so she has one less thing to hold on to. “Yes, you are.”
“No, I’m not.”
“Not negotiable.”
Her eyes blaze open, and she begins to fume. “You can’t just demand that I pack my boxes and get a key to your house,” she huffs then rests her back against the car.
I join her so we stand side by side, and I cross my arms. “Rosie, you’re living with your parents. We can both agree that isn’t the best solution right now. They will watch your every move like a hawk. Besides, this baby is mine, too. Providing for you is what I should do.”
She throws me a glare before floating her gaze back straight ahead into the field. “I’m not an obligation.”
