Quentin doesn’t budge. Hell, it doesn’t even look like he’s breathing.
I place a hand on his arm that’s resting on top of the table. “Quentin? Are you…okay?” I ask, nerves crawling up my spine.
So far our evening has been more enjoyable than I thought it’d be, even though it’s only been a short period of time. We seem to be able to open up to another, and he’s been respectful and kind.
It’s given me a sliver of hope that we’ll be good at co-parenting if he decides to be a part of this.
Hazel eyes lift up to meet mine, and he suddenly doesn’t look like the easygoing man from a few minutes ago. “You’re pregnant.”The words leave his lips with such certainty that it sucks the air out of my lungs.
“How…how do you know?” I stumble over my words as I remove my hand from his arm. I’m barely showing and I don’t remember telling anyone else besides Ian and the girls, so how the hell did he…
“Your brother was on the phone the other day and when he realized that we’d been eavesdropping on his conversation, he told us that his sister Jen was pregnant. That was you,” he says, his voice colder than it was earlier. “But your name’s not Jen. Or is it?”
“Ian couldn’t pronounce my name as a kid, so that’s what he called me,” I explain. When he doesn’t say anything, I add, “That’s actually why I asked you to talk. I’m having this baby and I thought you should know so you can decide whether you would like to be in Blueberry’s life.”
I should be relieved that the secret is finally out, but I find myself apprehensive about what his choice will be.
“Blueberry?” he asks, sounding intrigued.
A small smile tugs at my lips at the nickname. “Yeah. I found out that’s the baby’s size right now and it’s what I’ve been calling the baby ever since.”
He nods, but remains silent. I know the news is shocking, but he could give mesomeinsight. I didn’t expect him to jump for joy when he realized his one-night stand is now pregnant with his baby, but his lack of response is starting to irritate me.
“I understand this is a lot, and you probably need time to process it, so I’ll go and let you do that. Text me or something when you figure out if you’d like to be a part of your kid’s life,” I say with a bit more sass than intended.
“And you know it’s mine?” he asks just as I stand from my chair.
I glare at him because now I’m pissed. “You’re the only one I’ve been with in months. So yes, I’m sure.”
“I should trust you because you’ve beensohonest with me since the beginning, right?”
My head rears back at his words. “I know you don’t have any reason to believe me, but I don’t have time for this. If you don’t want any part of this, just say the word. Either way is fine by me.”
His gaze turns instantly regretful. “Shit, Teagan. That’s not—I-I’m sorry.”
“I’ve heardsorrya lot from people who didn’t mean it. You’re going to have to do better than that if you want to keep me from leaving right now.”
Quentin lets out a breath. “Please, let me explain.”
I usually wouldn’t abide by a request like that, but his expression is so earnest that I find myself wanting to hear him out.
I take my seat and nod for him to go on.
He swallows harshly, his throat bobbing up and down. “About ten years ago, this girl I had been casually seeing said she was pregnant. I wasn’t ready then, but I liked her and taking care of people is what I’ve done my entire life. So naturally, I jumped right in. I bought us a house, filled it with everything she and the baby would need. Only to find out five months later that she had been lying the entire time.”
Shit.
My stomach flips at the revelation.
Here I was losing it on him when this guy’s been through this before, and he was merely trying not to end up in that situation again.
“How did you figure it out?”
“A family friend of mine is good with computers. He didn’t trust her, and after doing some digging, he found out she hadn’t evenbeen to the doctor once. The sonograms she showed me were from a random stranger she found online.”
I shake my head in disbelief that someone could do that to another person. “I’m so sorry you went through that, Quentin.”
He leans back in his chair. “It’s fine. It was a long time ago. I sold the house and told her to never contact me again unless she wanted to hear from my lawyer.”
