“Eleven weeks,” he says. “It’s not your baby.”
I lean my shoulder against the doorway and cross one foot over the other. “Doesn’t matter.”
“What about Tyler?”
I tuck a loose strand of hair behind my ear. “Far as I can tell, he doesn’t want shit to do with it. Even if he did, it wouldn’t change a damn thing. I’m right where I want to be. Angel. The baby. They’re my family now.”
Jaxon grins. “You tell her you love her yet?”
“She’s not ready.”
“Are you?”
“Been ready for five fuckin’ years.”
At first, I chalked it up to primal attraction. As time went on, thoughts of her never strayed far from my mind. With each interaction, I fell deeper and deeper, until all I could feel was this insatiable hunger.
It wasn’t just her external beauty. It was her brilliant mind and her compassionate heart. Even when she was with Tyler, I could feel myself slipping, so I tried to keep my distance, but it was damn near impossible. She was everywhere all the time, and I was fucked.
Wilder frowns and glances up at the ceiling like he’s trying to do the math. “Since Colorado?”
“Pretty sure I was done for the second I laid eyes on her.”
“Runs in the family. Pops would say the same thing about Mama.”
“You’re goddamn right I would,” Pops says, materializing at the opposite end of the barn as he leads Copper into his stall. “You know it don’t matter one bit whether that baby’s got your DNA or not. You love ‘em right, and everything else’ll come out in the wash. Now, if y’all would stop jibber jabbering, I could use some help.” He takes off his hat and runs his hand through his grey hair. “I’m too old for this shit.”
Chapter 20
Better Man
? Trying - Jordan Davis
14 weeks: Baby is the size of a hamster
Angelina
I thoughtmorning sickness was supposed to get better after the first trimester. Mine has only gotten exponentially worse. I’ve started keeping puke buckets everywhere just in case. This morning was so bad, I had to call Doc out of early retirement to cover for me again. I’m too tired and weak to get out of bed. It’s the kind of bone-deep exhaustion that’s impossible to shake, and no amount of caffeine or rest will help.
Griffin has been sweet and attentive. His daily check-ins often lead to dinner and a movie at my place. I inevitably end up falling asleep on the couch, and he carries me to bed. He never stays, and I never ask.
Husband: How are you feeling?
Me: Awful. When did you change your name in my phone?
Husband: When you fell asleep watching My Big Fat Greek Wedding for the 100th time.
Husband: I’m coming over.
Me: Key is under the planter to the left.
Husband: You actually locked up?
Me: Someone kept threatening to spank me if I didn’t.
Husband: That’s my girl.
Sometime later, the sound of the front door closing wakes me. I throw back the covers and stand on shaky legs. The room spins, and I pinch my eyes closed to make it stop. Once everything comes back into focus, I shuffle down the hallway.
