Page 56 of Found By You

“Oh yeah, but you know how Beau is. And Ma can’t ever say no to him, so she was hoping…you’d be willing to move back home for a bit while you wait on the build, or until the bookings slow in the spring.”

Panic seizes my chest. Do they not know I’ve been living there, too?

“Hell no,” Duke responds immediately.

“I figured you’d say that,” Butch says. “We talked about it, you’re welcome to crash at our place for the time being. Cass already picked which room is the baby’s, so the spare room is open for you.”

Duke rubs his face roughly. “Can’t Ma cancel the bookings?”

“Pop told her to, but…”

“Beau,” Duke mutters, not meeting my terrified stare.

“Where did you live before the cabin?” I ask quietly.

“Owned a house in town,” he says. “Sold faster than I anticipated. And I wasn’t going to sign a lease for a year when I knew I’d end up breaking it.”

Cassidy looks between Duke and me. “You could always room with Maci when she finds a place. You’ll need two bedrooms anyway for the baby. I’m sure the extra rent money would help.”

I fight down a cringe. She has no idea I’ve been staying with him for weeks.

Butch’s brow furrows. “Where are you staying?”

Biting my lip nervously, I stare up at Duke. He’s deep in thought; jaw ticking, eyes dark. I clear my throat that feels like it’s closing shut. “Um…”

Cassidy beams, completely unaware of how devastated I’m feeling at this moment. So much for that string of bad luck ending…

“Do you know any places for rent, babe?”

Butch’s gaze remains on me, ignoring his future wife and scowling with an intensity that screams he knows, and he’s judging me. “No. Places for rent are scarce right now. Remember when you tried to find a place? It was next to impossible. Nothing is going to be available until spring, guaranteed.”

My stomach does a stress-induced flip. I hold a hand over my belly and take in a deep breath, trying to push the upset nausea feeling down. Breathe, Maci. Breathe.

Duke rests a hand on my lower back. “Ah, fuck. Come on, Maci,” he says, taking my hand and wrapping an arm around me as he urges me out of the studio. “Hold on, angel, the bathroom’s right over here.”

I let him take control. Trusting him…

It’s then, I realize, I’ll never have anyone read me better than he does.

Seventeen.

Duke

“I’m okay,” Maci says, wiping her mouth with a paper towel. “I just need a minute.”

I reach for the door handle to the restroom. “I’ll be right outside, okay?”

She nods, sniffling.

I don’t want to leave her alone and upset, but if she needs a moment, I’ll give it to her. I walk out toward the studio where my brother stands waiting.

“Is she okay?” Cassidy asks when I approach.

I keep a watchful eye over my shoulder for any signs Maci might need me. “Yeah, she’s okay.” I sigh. “She gets nauseous when she’s upset. And with the pregnancy…she tends to get sick easily.”

Butch eyes me sternly. “She’s living with you at the cabin, isn’t she?”

I don’t respond.

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