Abby.
Chapter 14
Abby
Riko hugs me as I sob. I’m already emotional to begin with, but the blowout with Angela finding out about my pregnancy the way she did was a lot. And, as much as I appreciate Riko being her for me, I wish it were Rhett instead.
“He’s coming back,” Riko says as if he can see inside my head. “I know my boy.”
My chest aches at his words. I really hope it’s true. If she somehow got her claws back into him, I’ll be forever broken. Rhett belongs with me and Buck.
“It’s taking a long time,” I murmur, voice thick from crying. “Why is it taking so long?”
Riko shrugs. “Trust he’ll figure it out. In the meantime, I know he trusts me to take care of you.”
It’s been two hours since Rhett, Angela, and the cop left. Riko had been waiting outside the door, apparently listening to everything, and swooped in the second I was alone. I’m grateful to have him as a friend.
“She’s the better choice.” I whimper because I don’t want to believe that, but I feel like maybe I should stop being selfish and say it.
“No, she’s not,” Riko says with a snort. “That girl is vapid, controlling, and, apparently, psychotic. I’m glad Rhett’s finally getting his shit together.”
I relax a little. He’s right. Angela never deserved Rhett in the first place.
“I’m guessing we don’t get little Buck, do we?” Riko teases. “I really wanted your baby.”
“Nope. He’s mine. Rhett’s going to be the best daddy.”
My heart swells because I know it’s true. He already is.
Headlights flood into the living room and we both jolt upright, eager for Rhett to return. Riko stands, kisses me on top of the head, and then slips out the front door. I slowly rise to my feet, heart pounding in my chest. The door opens and in comes Rhett with his hands full of fast-food bags and a drink carrier. It’s from one of my favorite burger places. That means he also got me a strawberry shake. My stomach grumbles happily.
“There was not enough protein in that sandwich you ate earlier,” Rhett says in way of greeting. “Burgers and shakes for my favorite people.”
I take the drink carrier from him and sip my strawberry shake. Despite the drama of today, Rhett still thought to bring me food. He’s always looking out for me.
We’re quiet as we inhale our food at the kitchen table. I’m dying to ask him about what happened, but I also want to give him time to tell me on his own.
“It was ugly,” he says as he washes his hands at the sink. “Your dad threatened me with all sorts of shit.”
Sounds about right. Dad thinks he owns everyone.
“I didn’t care, though.” He turns to face me and holds open his arms. “All I cared about was getting back to you.”
I rush over to him and let him envelop me in his warm embrace. He strokes his hand down the back of my head, kissing my temple.
“What does this mean, Rhett?” I whisper. “I need to hear it from you.”
He pulls back and cups my cheeks in his palms. “It means it always should have been you, honey. I loveyou. No one else. You.”
Buck dances happily in my belly. I’m wondering if he’s drunk off the pleasure flooding through me right now. Not because I won some battle against my sister. Because I got the man I love and who loves me back.
“I love you too,” I admit tearfully. “Took you long enough to get here.”
“I had errands to run.”
We both know I mean his profession of love.
“Like this,” he says as he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a box. “Got you something. I’m hoping you’ll accept it.”
