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We stand there in a stare-off as I contemplate how I read this man all wrong.

But then it hits me—I usually do.

“I’m having this baby, Adam, with or without you,” I manage to grate out.

He shrugs. “Suit yourself, but don’t come to me later for child support.”

“Trust me, the last thing I’m going to do is ask you for anything now that I’ve seen your true colors.”

He huffs out a laugh. “You had no problem spreading your legs for me the first night we met, Lennon, so you’re no saint yourself.”

“Fuck you.”

“Already did, sweetheart.” His eyes dip down to my stomach. “Guess that mistake’s on me.”

He turns toward his truck, but I shout after him. “And don’t you dare change your mind! I’m serious. If you walk away now, there’s no coming back into my life!”

He slams his door shut and then speeds out of the parking lot as I finally let my true emotions out. I slide into the driver’s seat of my car and cry—for the mistake of reading another man wrong, for the stupid decision to have sex without a condom, and for my unborn child who will never know their father because the last thing they deserve is a man like that in their life.

If only I could stop welcoming men like that into mine.

***

The smell of barbecue hits my nose as I walk up to Melvin’s. Even though the last thing I want is to be around people right now, Ginny convinced me to join her and some of our friends from school to support Patty’s fundraiser. The only reason I agreed to it is because Melvin’s famous brisket actually sounded appetizing, and finding something I want to eat is a battle I’m losing consistently these days.

“Hey, Lennon!” Ginny shouts the second I walk through the door to the bustling restaurant and bar. I don’t even have time to search the room for her, which tells me she was probably waiting to see if I’d actually show up.

I trudge over to our group of classmates, the table full of glasses of beer and baskets of fried food, none of which looks appetizing.

“You made it,” Ginny declares with a hint of surprise in her voice.

“I told you that I would.”

“I know, but I wasn’t sure how you’d be feeling. If you’d canceled, I wouldn’t have blamed you.” She rubs my shoulder as she bounces on her feet. “But we’re glad you’re here now!” The girls in the booth echo her sentiment.

“I need some food,” I mumble, glancing around for a server.

Ginny leans in closer to me. “So, how did the talk go with Adam?”

When our eyes lock, I feel mine sting with the threat of fresh tears. “He doesn’t want anything to do with us.”

Her mouth drops open. “Oh my god, really?”

Nodding, I swipe under my eyes. “Yeah. It was awful. He didn’t believe the baby was his, and—” Before I can finish my thought, I see Easton Buckley approaching us from the corner of my eye.

Jesus Christ. This is the night he decides to make an appearance?

I turn away from him, trying to gather my wits.

“Hey, Easton. Long time, no see,” Ginny says once he’s standing next to us.

“Yeah. Good to see you, Ginny. I imagine you came out tonight to support Patty?”

Ginny nods. “Of course. She made sure that the restrooms at the college were all stocked with tampons and pads for free. That woman deserves a gold medal for that alone.”

Easton chuckles before clearing his throat, glancing over at me, but I keep my eyes locked on the floor. “Hey, Len.”

“Easton.”