Ali giggled at my reaction. “That’s so fun. You’ll have to stay with us in Chicago though, right?”
His eyes darted between us. “Uh…if you guys have room for me?”
“Of course,” she answered, shivering against the chill in the air.
He gave a small nod. “Let’s go to the living room. It’s warmer in there with the fire going.”
Ali slowly hoisted herself up while my dad and I cleared the table.
Hank hadn’t left Ali's side. He trailed her to the living room, then climbed up on the couch next to her. He laid his head on her stomach and cried. Ali’s hands flew to her mouth and her eyes glistened. “Oh my God, do you think he knows?” she gushed.
“Knows what?” My dad smiled fondly.
Ali’s mouth opened but no words came out. Her eyes shifted between me and my dad.
I coughed to clear my throat.
35. ALI - RIGHT HOOKS
Shoot. “I’m sorry,” I mouthed to JP.
“Knows what?” Cliff asked a second time, his brows pulling together in curiosity.
JP rubbed his jaw.
“Cliff, I’m…” I trailed off.
“Ali’s pregnant,” JP finished.
Cliff’s surprised eyes flew to me.
“With—”
“With my…” JP cleared his throat again. “With our… babies.”
Cliff sucked in his top lip and nodded. Then he glared at his son. “I told you.” He wagged his finger at JP. “I told you, son.” In a flash, the older man pulled back and decked JP in the eye, making JP stumble back. Cliff shook out his hand.
“Fuck, Dad. I’m injured,” JP’s left hand went up to his eye. “What was that for?”
“I warned you, son.” His cheeks flushed with anger. “Ali, I’m sorry you had to see that.”
“No, it’s okay,” I said, my eyes wide with shock. “It’s not bad.”
“He’ll marry you,” Cliff blurted out.
“Dad!” JP burst out.
“He will,” Cliff said in a determinedvoice.
“Dad, she doesn’t want that,” JP yelled at him.
Cliff’s eyes never left mine. “Do you?”
I felt frozen in shock. I didn’t know how to explain it to him in a way that made sense. Because yes. Deep down, JP was the only guy I would ever even consider marrying. But that currently wasn’t even possible considering I was still legally married to a total asshole who I hadn’t seen or talked to in over ten years.
“You’re scaring her, Dad,” JP said.
“I’m sorry, Ali.” Cliff shook his hand out again.
