Stupid, stupid,stupidmove on her part, because the instant she saw the concern on his handsome face, the tears spilled over.
The next thing she knew, Bristol was in his arms, her face buried in his shirt. Every ounce of emotion she’d bottled up for the past month boiled over. Between her broken heart and the news she’d learned just a couple of days ago, it was a wonder she hadn’t lost it sooner.
The fact that Kaden didn’t bombard her with questions helped, but it wasn’t enough. The emotional chaos chose to use this outlet now that it was available. She clung to him, holding on tight, scared to let go. This was where she’d wanted to be for so long now and here they were.
“I’m sorry, Bristol. So fuckin’ sorry.”
Keegan.
He was behind her, his hand warm on her shoulder, his words spoken softly near her ear.
A sob ripped through her. Did he not know he had the power to break her? He wasnotsupposed to benice.
“Come here,” Keegan whispered, the torment in his voice too much.
She cried harder, then spun around and slammed her head into the brick wall of his chest, throwing her arms around him. There was nothing for him to apologize for. What had happened that night … well, it had happened. And there was nothing they could do to change it. Nothing at all.
But she wasn’t losing it over what happened all those weeks ago. Did it hurt? Absolutely. She’d spent the past five weeks in a daze, going through the motions, focusing on putting one foot in front of the other and ignoring the pain in her chest brought on by the jagged pieces left of her heart. It wasn’t easy, but she was managing.
Or she had been.
“We need to talk about that night,” Kaden said softly from behind her. “If for nothing else, we need closure.”
Closure?
Bristol didn’t want closure. It was too late for that.
“That’s not…” She fought to level her breathing, releasing the death grip she had on Keegan’s shirt. “That’s not what this is. I mean, yes. It is, but it isn’t. I…”
Crap. How in the world was she going to explain this?
“Talk to us,” Keegan insisted, his big hands gripping her shoulders and shifting her back.
Bristol swiped the tears away with the backs of her knuckles then with her fingers.
You have to tell them, Bristol. They deserve to know.
Rex’s words rang in her head and they helped to calm the storm. She’d needed someone to lean on, and since he was her oldest and dearest friend, she’d gone right to him although she swore she wouldn’t. Not only had Rex listened and consoled her, he’d also encouraged her to talk to Kaden and Keegan. It was her intention to do so, but she hadn’t yet figured out that plan.
But here they were. What better time than the present, right?
She managed to take a step back, feeling a little steadier. When she looked up at them both, she swallowed the tears that threatened to come.
Rex was right. They did deserve to know. She just didn’t think now was the right time to tell them. Maybe tomorrow. When she was calmer. When she’d gotten some sleep. When…
“I’m…” What she meant to say wasI’m better now, thank you.What came out was, “I’m pregnant.”
They cast quick looks at one another then their attention returned to her. Kaden stepped forward, cupped her face, and said the one thing she never, ever,everwould’ve predicted he would say.
“Please tell us that’s a good thing.”
Yep.
More tears.
*
If Keegan had ever been at a loss for words, he couldn’t remember it.
