Page 58 of Simply You & Me

"I messed up, Rory, and there aren't enough words for me to express how sorry I am. The other guys, too, but they will have to talk to you themselves."

Movement behind Rory's dainty shoulder draws my attention. I about choke on my next breath when I see Lynnie leaning against the wall in a black tank top and grey sweatpants. Both arms are wrapped around her stomach, her hair cascades around her shoulders and the peaks of her breasts, but her eyes are what really capture my attention. She isn't meek or shy in the way she holds my stare. No, my woman is angry, and she's not afraid to make it known. Addie raises an eyebrow like she's waiting for me to continue. I don't keep her waiting.

I settle my eyes back on Rory, but knowing that Addie is listening, I make my apology for the both of them. "I am so sorry. I know that doesn't mean much because of how bad I f—messed up, so I'll spend the rest of my days proving it to you with actions."

"Actions speak louder than words," Rory murmurs, like she's repeating something her mom once said to her. Looking up, I see Addie smiling at her daughter, a proud gleam in her eye.

"Exactly. I love you both so much, and if you'll have me, I'll prove it to you. I'll never keep secrets ever again, and you can ask me anything you want. From here on out, I am an open book and will do everything in my power to keep you and your mom safe."

Rory's eyes water as she eyes the hand I keep between us, palm up and waiting for her to meet me halfway. If she doesn’t, I'll understand even if it hurts to accept that the damage I've caused is far deeper than I thought.

I don't let my eyes trail to Lynnie. I keep my focus solely on the little girl I love like my own kid. My chest pounds uncomfortably and my stomach twists as I wait for her to make a move. With a hesitant lift of her hand, Rory slowly settles her palm in mine and I fucking soar.

"Can I have a taco?"

I chuckle, grabbing the bag to feed her. With Rory happily munching on her taco beside me with a smile, I can't help but feel like the divide between us has shrunk and is ready for healing. I just hope I can make the same progress with Lynnie.

Chapter Thirty-Eight

Adelyn

Tate's words ping-pong around in my head while I watch Rory reach for her second taco. I could fuck with a taco. Seems like it's the only thing this baby actually wants to eat. Everything else has been a struggle. Shit, the pregnancy has been a struggle these past few days. I don't know if it's just the healing, the leftover effects from the drugs I inhaled, or growing an entire human, but I haven't felt well at all. I'm fucking exhausted when I'm not throwing up. But it's not like a normal tired, it's like a fucking sick tired.

"Lynnie," Tate whispers, now standing in front of me. "Talk to me, baby," he pleads.

I shrug, not knowing what to say to him. He's as handsome as ever, his blond hair in disarray, tight black T-shirt and jeans. His bright blue eyes catalog everything I give him.

"How are you feeling?" His eyes dip to my tummy, making me hold myself a bit tighter.

I shrug again. "Like shit, but we're fine." He frowns and takes another step forward, but before he can say anything, I cut him off. "What are you doing here, Tate?"

He huffs, rubbing the back of his neck for a second. His eyes are firm but filled with emotions when he trains them back on me. "You know why I'm here, Lynnie. You know why the other guys have been begging to see you, too. We love you, and I know it’s hard to hear right now, but it’s true, and we are going to keep being here to prove it to you."

My eyes burn and my hands tremble. "You should go," I whisper, dragging my gaze away from his.

"No," Tate states firmly. The growl lacing his tone has me shooting my head up in shock. Tate's the sweet, quiet one. This is new. "I'm not leaving until you tell me you hear me."

I glare, taken aback by his demand. "I hear you," I say, making sure to sound a little extra shitty. Fuck him for trying to demand my attention when that's all I've wanted from them for almost two weeks.

The heat coming off his body makes me shiver as he steps into my space. "No, you don't. I can be just as growly as the others when it comes to people I care about. Just ask Marcus how I kicked his ass years ago. So, let's try this again. I love you and I am not leaving until I see you understand me."

I hear murmuring coming from the living room and catch Rory and Gabby slipping out of the apartment just in time. Knowing I have the space to myself, my rage and hurt explode from me like I can truly let loose without my daughter in the crossfire.

Shoving at Tate's chest, I huff when he barely moves. "No, you listen to me! You demand my attention while you all threw me to the curb weeks ago. None of you were there while I worried about what I could have done to push you away. Not even through text. So no, Tate, I don't fucking hear you because you haven't cared to hear me when I was aching for you!"

I take sick satisfaction in the way his eyes widen and keep shoving him back step by step. "I was throwing my guts up for weeks, and you weren't there! I was left sitting alone on a cold couch while you guys were off doing fuck knows what."

I shake my head, not realizing just how much resentment I have for them going quiet. My voice quivers as my shouts die down. "I could have gotten past that, but you and the guys put me in danger. Again, I could have forgiven that, but you brought danger to my daughter’s life, Tate. I could have forgiven that too, if only you had been honest with me. If I had known, I would have put us in lock down because believe it or not, I'm not fucking stupid, and safety means more than my independence. I can't say the same for you guys though, and that's a deal breaker. I don't care if you're hotshots back home, you fucked up and put the people you love in danger!"

Shoving him one last time, I find I've pushed him all the way to the door. "Lynnie," he whispers brokenly.

I drop my chin to my chest and wrap my arms around my tummy once more, trying to hold myself together. "Please leave, Tate."

He's silent for a moment, making my anxiety rise with each beat of my aching heart. "I'll go for now, but I'll be back. I will always come back for you, Lynnie." Just as his hand grips the doorknob, he whispers, "I hear you."

The door opens, revealing a sight that makes a sob slip past my lips. Wyatt, Julian, and Zach are all standing outside my door with varying expressions of hurt and anger. My cry has Tate hesitating to leave, but with one final longing look, he's out the door and I'm slamming it shut behind him.

My knees wobble like I want to crumple to the ground at their feet just beyond the door, but I rush away, not needing them to hear any more of my torment. Just as I make it to the bathroom, another anguished cry slips free as I kneel over my knees and allow my ass to land on the vanity rug.

---