“You can’t expect me to just leave it at that. You wanted her. You had her. You got her pregnant, and you didn’t tell me.”
“Yes. Yes. And yes and no. I didn’t know she was pregnant. That’s why she hasn’t come home. She didn’t want me to know.”
“And you didn’t think I deserved to know you’d slept with her.”
“Let’s be real, Kristi. You knew that morning you came over that something happened between me and Brooke the second you saw her and me in the same room. You didn’t say anything, so neither did I because I was too devastated about letting her go. I didn’t want to let her go,” he snapped. “But I did it forourchild. The one you didn’t tell me you lost for weeks.” If she wanted to push him to talk after he asked for space, then she deserved the cold hard truth, unvarnished or prettied up.
Though he couldn’t blame Kristi for wanting to stick her head in the sand. He’d done the same the last several months. Not anymore.
Kristi slammed her hands down on the table, stood, and yelled at him, “This isn’t over. We’re getting married. You promised.” She stormed out of the kitchen.
He let her go. He didn’t want to make things worse.
She had to know the wedding was off. She just didn’t want to face it.
What a fucking mess.
But he couldn’t go on like this with her. Not when his heart belonged to Brooke.
She needed him right now, more than ever.
The door slammed on Kristi’s way out.
It sounded as final as the night of the Christmas party, but Cody knew, just like then, she’d be back to try to talk him into staying with her.
Not going to happen. Not this time.
Chapter Twelve
Brooke’s heart eased the second her mom took her hand, then she reached over and touched the silver vessel tucked against Brooke’s side. “I’m so sorry, Brooke. I’m sorry he took her from you.”
Janie brought in the plate of food and set it and a bottle of water on the side table. “To make you strong again.”
Brooke couldn’t even manage a smile but gave a nod before Janie left again.
“Honey, you should try to eat. You look so pale.” Her mom brushed her hand over Brooke’s cheek. “Please, honey.”
Brooke couldn’t speak. She let the tears fall and the pain fill her until she felt like she’d burst from the pressure building inside her body and especially her heart.
Brooke lay there while her mom took the plate and held a forkful of food to her mouth. She wasn’t hungry and didn’t want the food, but she ate because her mom looked so hopeful she would try.
After several bites, Brooke put her hand up to get her mom to stop. It took all her courage to face her. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you by not telling you about the baby.”
“I know that, sweetheart.” Her mom brushed her hand over Brooke’s hair. “I know you did it for Cody. You love him.”
“I didn’t want him to have to choose between Kristi and me because of a baby and an obligation.”
“Love isn’t an obligation. He loves you, honey. I saw him when he found out you’d been hurt. There was such pain in his eyes. I saw the fear, too. He knew he came close to losing you. He knew the baby was his, never questioned it. He just knew.”
“She’s gone now. And I’m…dead inside. I’m no good for anyone anymore.”
Her mom frowned. “That’s not true. You will get through this and be stronger for it, even if it doesn’t feel that way right now. And Cody…he loves you. He wants you. He needs you like you need him right now.”
“He doesn’t,” she cried. “He always told me we were just friends.”
“That’s the best place to start. Don’t give up now.”
“He let me go. He chose her. Twice.”
