I make my way to Jason’s office, eager to show him my new car. As I near the door, I instantly hear a few muffled voices and laughter drifting from the other side. It doesn’t sound like an important work meeting, and being a Sunday, I highly doubt it is.
I don’t bother to knock. We’ve always had the kind of friendship where we walk into each other’s homes or workplaces without formalities. However, since Mila moved in with Jason, I usually give him a heads-up to make sure I’m not intruding on their time.
I open the door, barely able to contain my excitement—until the sight before me stops me dead in my tracks. The room instantly falls silent, and all eyes turn my way. But there’s only one person my gaze locks onto.
And she’s staring back at me, with a shocked look in her expression.
Skylar is on the sofa, sitting on Heath’s lap, with Chris beside them. Mila is perched on the edge of Jason’s desk, legs crossed over and facing towards her sister. And right at the centre of them all, is my best friend, Jason, who quickly straightens from his chair, eyes wide, like a deer caught in the headlights.
“Fuck,” I mutter under my breath, my mind screaming at me to run, but my body is glued to the spot, completely frozen.
Jason is up on his feet, so fast, the chair slides back and hits the wall.
“Kaden. Hey, what’s going on?”
“Shit, I’m so sorry. I didn’t know you had company, otherwise, I would’ve called. I should’ve called first.”
“That’s okay. Um… Skylar and Heath are in town visiting family and friends. We were just about to head out.”
I glance over at my ex-wife and her new husband, and they look back at me with identical expressions—a mix of surprise and wariness.
“Hey.” That single word lodges in my throat, heavy and obstructive, as if something were physically choking the life out of me, making every breath painful and uncomfortable.
“Hello, Kaden.”
It’sherthat responds. Her voice—still that same sweet sound I loved listening to for a whole decade—yet haven’t heard in over two years.
Heath’s hand moves to her stomach, holding it protectively, and that’s when I see it. A bump. A very noticeable bump. I’m no expert on pregnancy, but by the look of her, she has to be around six or seven months along.
I try to inhale through my nose, but it feels like my airways are constricting.
I thought I could do this. I thought I could see her again without feeling like a hundred daggers were piercing right through my heart.
Enough time has passed since I last saw them, but the ache in my chest hasn’t gone away, just dulled slightly.
“Congratulations to you both.” I force the words out, even though it sounds strained.
Skylar offers a brief, tight smile and murmurs her thanks, while Heath merely nods in silent acknowledgment, his distaste for me as evident as ever.
This whole scene is painfully awkward and uncomfortable, no one sure what to say or do. And I’m absolutely certain my presence here is only making things worse.
I feel like an outsider, someone completely out of place.I need to get out, now!
I clear my throat, and glance back at Jason, who looks so nervous and anxious right now, I’m afraid he’s going to faint.
“I’ll just call you later, when you’re not too busy.”
He starts to move towards me, but I quickly stop him.
“It’s okay, Jase. You have guests. What I came here for is nothing urgent. I’ll give you a call another time.”
His expression falls, pity and sadness carving themselves into his hard features.
Before he can speak again, I quickly turn on my heel and walk out of the room, the door clicking softly behind me. I rush towards the exit, praying Jason or Chris don’t follow. Ican’t talk to them—not like this. I’m too much of a fucking mess right now.
I’m seconds away from reaching the exit door, when I hear someone call out my name from behind me.
When I spin around, I immediately spot Zac heading my way, and following closely behind, is his mother, Hope.
