When I slam the car into park, I barely notice I’m halfway across the driveway. Doesn’t matter. I’m on the porch in three steps, my boots heavy against the wood.
Inside, it’s a war zone.
I catch a glimpse through the living room window. April is standing in the hallway, hair falling everywhere, cheeks streaked red with tears. Her shoulders are hunched and her arms are locked around her belly like a shield. The house is full of their voices, so loud I can hear every word even from outside.
April’s stepmom is in her face, makeup caked heavily and red lips twisted. “You have two choices, April. Either get rid of it, or get out of this house. You want to play at being grown up? Then you can go do it somewhere else.”
“No daughter of mine is raising a bastard under my roof. You’re an embarrassment.” Her dad’s harsh words cut right through me.
April doesn’t crumble. She stands there, face streaked wet, body shaking, but she holds herself up anyway. Brave as hell. My heart splits open watching it.
They’re blocking the staircase, arms crossed like prison guards.
April’s voice shakes hard. “I’m not…I’m not ending it. I’m keeping my baby.”
Her stepmom rolls her eyes. “Fine. Pack your bags, and don’t even think about coming back.”
Her dad, red in the face, veins bulging. “You ungrateful little bitch. After everything we've done for you, and this is how you repay us?”
April starts sobbing, the sound ripping through me.
I don’t think. I react.
I pound my fist against the door so hard I think I hear something crack. The frame? My own hand? Who fucking cares.
“April!”
The noise inside goes dead.
The door flies open.
April stands there, eyes huge and wild, lips parted like she can’t get any air. She’s trembling, and for a second I think she might faint.
I step in before she can slam the door in my face. Her stepmom makes a face.
“Who the hell are you?”
April opens her mouth, then shuts it. She’s frozen, words stuck.
I plant myself between her and her two psycho parents. “The name’s Ben Hayes. I’m April’s…” I glance at her, see all hope dying on her face, and decide to just take the bullet, “I’m the father of her baby.”
You could hear an atom bomb drop.
“Ben, no. You don’t have to do this.”
Her dad actually laughs, a snort of disbelief. “Is this some kind of joke? April barely knows you.” His face is an ugly shade of purple now.
Stepmom instantly attacks, arms up. “You showed up just in time to move her into a cardboard box, I guess. We’re done coddling her.”
April’s silent, tears streaking down her cheeks.
I turn to face her, keeping my voice low enough so only she can hear.
"That night, April? The note. You said you wanted to feel wanted. That was me. That’s the first night we met."
She gasps, hand flying to her mouth. Her eyes are huge. “It was…you?”
I nod. "I should’ve told you sooner. I’ve never stopped thinking about it. Not for one second."
