April looks like she might break, right here.
Her dad tries to cut in. “Get out of here. She’s not going anywhere with some liar…”
I cut him off, harshly. Meaning every word. "April and our child are coming home with me. Somewhere she’s going to be and feel safe, wanted, and loved."
April looks up at me, raw and vulnerable. Her hand slides down, cradling her belly, and she nods.
I turn back to her folks. "Go ahead. Throw every word you want at us. It changes nothing. She doesn't have to stay where she's not wanted."
Her stepmom's face twists, "We're not paying for any more of her mistakes. You want this circus, it's your problem!"
April barely hears her. She’s already halfway up the stairs, one hand on the banister and the other on her stomach. “Give me a minute,” she says softly. “I just need to grab a few things.”
Her legs are shaking, but she doesn’t hesitate. Step by step, she gets herself up the stairs and out of the line of fire.
I stay put, arms folded, blocking anyone from chasing after her. Her dad tries to intimidate me, but I don’t even spare him a glance.
All I care about is April, and the life we somehow made together. The rest of them? They can go to hell.
As long as I live, no one’s ever going to make her feel alone again.
Chapter 15
April
Ben unlocksthe door and leads me inside. Before I can say a word, Corinne rushes over and pulls me into a hug.
“Oh, April,” she murmurs, squeezing me so tight I almost drop my bag. “Are you okay?”
That’s all it takes, I start sobbing, words spilling out in a rush. “I’m so sorry, Corinne, I swear I wasn’t lying about the baby. I really thought it wasn't Ben's, I did, until tonight, he just told me.”
Corinne pulls back, brows together, completely confused. “Wait. What? How…?”
Arrow swoops in, slinging an arm around Corinne and steering her away, all smirk and swagger. “Come on, let’s give them some privacy. I’ll catch you up after I see what Ben’s been hoarding in the fridge.”
Corinne’s still glancing back, but Arrow just grins wider, lowering his voice, “Baby, how do you feel about a trip to Heaven? Or hell, if you’re feeling extra spicy.”
Corinne elbows him hard, “If you try to turn our bedroom into a sex playground, I’m setting your ass on fire.”
Arrow winks. “Guess that means I’m sleeping in Purgatory tonight. Worth it.”
They disappear into the kitchen, Arrow’s laughter echoing behind them.
I look up at Ben, “Are you sure about this?” It comes out so quiet, I barely recognize my own voice. “About me. About all of it. I…if you don’t really want this, you can say so.”
Ben doesn’t even blink. “April. Listen to me. I want you.” He cups my face, “All of you. Doesn’t matter what’s happened, or how we got here. I want you, and our baby, every fucked-up part of your story.”
The relief is so huge, I actually laugh a little, a shaky sound that slips out before I can stop it.
My shoulders drop. The tension that’s been wound up in my spine for five months finally melts away.
Ben watches me unravel for a second, then reaches for my hand. His skin is warm and rough, fingers wrapping tight around mine, pulling me closer till I can feel his breath on my mouth.
“I want you. Now.”
Before I have a chance to say anything, he’s pulling me down the hall. We barely make it to his room before his hands are all over me, as if touching me is the only thing keeping him alive. He backs me further into his bedroom, kicking the door shut with his foot. Our mouths crash together, he tastes like heat and desperation, tongue hot and slick against mine, lips bruising with want.
His hands slip under the hem of my shirt, knuckles grazing my bare skin, making me shiver. I raise arms for him to pull it the rest of the way off. My bra hitting the floor next. His hands are everywhere…cupping, kneading, thumbs circling my nipples until I’m arching into his touch.
