Page 148 of In Your Wake

“New Year?” Mitch answers.

“New Year? Whoa, must be a fucking disaster,” Spencer says. “What exactly are you hiding over there?”

“Nothing,” Mitch and I answer simultaneously.

Shit.

The room stills. We lock eyes and Mitchell’s fingers tighten around his bottle.

Hunter narrows his gaze at me. “Have you been to see it?”

“I’ve passed by. Once.” I keep my eyes down, but it’s no use; I feel my cheeks burning.

“Interesting,” Spencer says while dealing the cards.

Someone clears their throat. I think it’s Bethany.

“Max?” Mitchell asks a minute later, quietly.

I lift my eyes to meet his. They’re loaded with everything he’s not saying, everything he’s hoping I’ll say. Because we’ve talked about this. He’s wanted to shout it from the rooftops, and I’ve begged him to keep it our little secret. He’s waiting for my okay, and when I glance at my brother, who’s watching me with a deep, suspicious frown, I know we’ve waited long enough.

“Fine,” I say.

Bethany claps her hands together. “Okay! Who wants more sangria? Anyone?”

It’s no use; no one cares about drinks, not when the air is crackling with the obvious floating tension between me and my brother. They want a show.

Mitch leans forward and sets his beer down on the table. “Hunter…” he begins, his voice steady but low. “There’s something we need to tell you.”

My heart is racing. Mitch reaches across the coffee table for my hand and squeezes it.

“We’re together,” he says.

I now understand what people mean when they say you could hear a pin drop. The room is deathly silent. Hunter has clearly heard him, but he keeps his intense gaze on me.

“And,” Mitch continues, “Maxine’s moving in with me.”

Hunter’s face toughens, and a muscle in his jaw ticks.

“And…” Mitch begins, watching me, pleading for me to continue. “Max?”

This has to come from me. I get it. He squeezes my hand once more.

“And… I’m pregnant,” I admit.

Everyone stills, and I’m positive I can hear them holding their breath.

The blood drains from Hunter’s face. I watch him swallow, notice his eyes dip to my stomach, which isn’t showing under my oversized hoodie. Then, without a word, but with a loaded exhale, he shoves off of the couch and storms out.

Celia stands. “Hunter—”

“No, I’ve got it,” I insist.

Mitch stands with me, then touches my cheek. “Do you want me to come with?”

I shake my head with a smile. “I can handle it.” I give him a quick kiss on the lips, thrilled that we don’t have to hide it anymore, and ignore Bethany’s awwww.

“Well, holy shit, Adams. It’s about damn time!” I hear Spencer exclaim before I step outside into the backyard.