Page 133 of The Twisted Beats

She wipes her tears away. “Do you really think we can make this work?”

“I know we can. It won’t be easy, but I know we can. People do it all the time.” I take her over to my bed and sit her down.

I pace before her, thinking about how to tell my ma and her family. This is gonna be a nightmare, but I’m not gonna lose my baby just to make everyone feel better. That’s not who I am as a man.

Who would be willing to help us and be on our side?

A thought comes to mind. “I met a few producers on New Year’s Eve. Maybe one of them could help me get Mayhem started.”

Her gaze sweeps around my face. “Are you sure you want to be tied to me like this?”

I kneel before her. “What did I say to you up in the mountains?”

“That you’d love me forever.”

“Exactly. We’re already tied to each other for life. We were from the second we met.”

“I think so, too.”

“Then let me prove to you I can do this. I can be the man and the father to our baby that you need me to be.”

“I’m scared.” Her body shrinks. “What if I mess everything up and we lose it all?”

“Lily, together we’ll get through this.”

Something flies by us and lands on the bed. We both jump and check to see what it is.

A new cell phone lies on my comforter. I turn around and my uncle’s standing in the doorway.

His eyes are bloodshot. He’s either high or drunk. Probably both if I had my guess.

He stumbles into the room. “Betcha enjoyed your freedom.”

“What?” I stand and block Livianna from him.

He set her up by putting her with that asshole on New Year’s Eve. Neither one of us trusts my uncle around her.

I’m sure he’s another person who’s trying to break us up. Why? I don’t know, but he doesn’t make sense when he’s screwed up in the head.

“You disappeared without getting a new phone, Cash. Thought you’d get a few days away from me, didn’t ya.” He crooks his head around me. “Look who’s here. Livianna, did ya have fun stealing my nephew away?”

“We had the best time, John.” She stands beside me, painting on a brave face. “Even better without you around.”

He growls and takes a step toward her.

I push her behind me. “Uncle John, leave her alone.”

“I wasn’t gonna touch her. She’s not worth it.” His gaze moves to the floor.

He focuses on something. Before I have the chance to make sense of it, he bends over and picks up the test Livianna dropped. He flips the stick and peers at the results window.

“Well, what do we have here? Is that…” He brings it closer to his face. “Two dark blue lines. What does that mean?”

I brace myself for the hell that’s sure to follow. “You’re a smart guy. I’m sure you can figure it out.”

He flicks the plastic test at me. It almost hits me in the head, but my reflexes have me grabbing it out of the air.

“Get rid of it, Cash!” He explodes, pushes me aside, and goes for Livianna. “You manipulative little girl! Do you think you can trap him? He’s meant for greatness, not this.”