“I want to be part of this,” he said, that croak back in his throat as he dropped his hand.
The croak thing was sexy in a baby-daddy rock star kind of way.
“We’ve got time.” She situated herself beside him. A little distance so it wasn’t weird. Though, actually, the distance made it feel odd. Not better.
“If you want to be part of this, that’s great,” she continued. “We’ll make it happen.”
“Tell me everything.” He looked up at her, eyes soft like he was a kid again, helping her climb up into the treehouse at the park up the street. Like they had been transported right back to a time when things were so much simpler.
“How long have you known?” he asked.
“Not long.” She nodded. That much was true, at least. “I seriously just found out, like, a few days ago.” A week, but who was counting?
He looked like he wanted to drop his head to the pillow again. Instead, he lifted her hand in his and held it there, threading their fingers together.
At the sight of his hand holding hers, she gave him a look. One that she hoped broadcasted,Uh, what the hell?
Though she didn’t say it out loud.
“I want our baby. We’re gonna make this work.” He squeezed her hand like he was making a promise.
Of note, he had not said that he wanted her. He wanted the kid.
That was fine though. She didn’t really want him either.
Not really.
Right?
Chapter Nine
Bax
Well,hell, this was awkward.
“Hey.” Bax stood on the top step of Linx’s front walk and held his hand out to Linx for a shake.
Linx crossed his arms, totally blocking the doorway of his house, totally leaving Bax hanging. Bax had really screwed the light socket, so he understood. He still shook his own hand because he couldn’t leave himself hanging like that.
“Courtney invited me to the appointment.” Bax glanced behind Linx, but Courtney was nowhere to be seen.
Linx grunted.
That was about where they stood, and Bax had to fix it because he’d fucked it.
Bax understood, got why Linx was ticked. He didn’t have a sister, but if he did and Linx had gotten her pregnant after years of bickering, he’d be less than accommodating too. “I’m sorry, man.”
“My sister’s life is totally upside down, and you’re sorry?”
“I am. I am so sorry.”
Linx said nothing.
“I’ve spent way too much time in a fog,” Bax said, genuine, hoping he didn’t fuck this up, because he really didn’t want to lose his friend over this or his band or… Courtney. “But I realized something in that fog.”
Linx didn’t move, but he quirked an eyebrow.
“Thisis exactly what I need in my life. I need Courtney to kick my ass on the regular and our kid to keep me centered.”
