Page 34 of Pucks and Likes

While the guys all look confused, my sisters know some of my fears. Only Clara knows what I did in the cult because I don’t want what I did to get back to my older sisters. They had to get out when they did, and I don’t fault them for it.

“No, El, he wants you to be with you,” Clara insists.

“He always asked about you,” Ciaran adds, and Dimitri agrees.

“Anytime we were with him, he would ask Austen too.”

Austen nods and points to her fiancé. “I didn’t even put two and two together until Coleson said you two had been hooking up.”

“I’ve known him my whole life, and he doesn’t get hung up on girls. But he seems pretty damn hung up,” Ciaran says, leaning into Louisa.

“He’s a sweet guy, and you care for him. Give him a chance,” Louisa says, looking at me. “And if he’s a jackass, I’ll kill him.”

Eliza nods. “Like I said, I know all the bears. Coleson doesn’t let them eat me, so I’m sure they’re hungry.”

“Not that you need a man. You’ve got us,” Clara adds quickly.

“But if you have a chance at a happily-ever-after, take it,” Louisa says, our hopeless romantic through and through.

“But no matter what, you and that baby will be loved by us.” Austen leans forward, cupping my face. “Always by us.”

Tears spill over my cheeks, and I find that I’m too emotional to even form words. A sob breaks from me, and soon, I’m enveloped in a big hug, all my sisters wrapping their arms around me, their lips to my cheeks, temples, and forehead. Clara is the first to lift my shirt, and she squeals when she sets eyes on my little bump.

“I love you, little bit! I’m Aunt Clara!”

Austen rubs my belly. “I’ll be AA, Aunt Austen. It works.”

“I’m Grammy,” Louisa giggles, and such pride burns in my sister’s gaze.

“Does that mean I’ll be a grandpa?” Ciaran asks, and she grins back at him.

“A sexy, hot grampy.”

Clara gags as Eliza leans in, cupping my belly. “You’re so little!” I can only nod, the emotion too much, before Eliza says to my belly, “And I have no clue what I’ll be, but I’m going to love the heck out of you.” Eliza pokes my belly button, and I giggle before her eyes meet mine. “Just as I love you.”

A sob breaks from me as I wrap my arms around my sister, hugging her close. Against her ear, I whisper, “I love you all, so much.”

And knowing that love that my sisters give me freely only strengthens my belief that my baby will be loved. I know Alex will love and be there for his child, but I can’t romanticize our situation.

I know the truth.

I can only ever be his baby mama.

CHAPTER 14

Alex

My knuckles pause a mere inch from Elliot’s apartment door.

I take a deep breath.

I let it out.

Then I roll my tongue against my teeth.

As much as I want to kick this door down, envelop Elliot in my arms, and bury my nose in her hair, I’m terrified.

I don’t want to accept it; I don’t even want to give it light, but I feel like she’s going to push me away again. That she’ll want to raise the kid as partners but keep all the romance out of it. Keep this need that burns between us at bay. Not allow us what we want.

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