Page 53 of Knocked up By the Minotaur

“Well, no.” I let out my own sigh, before flopping down to sit between the roots of the pine tree behind me, not caring about dirt getting on my suit. “And yes.”

After a few moments, Rho thumps himself down beside me as I stare at my mark, forcing myself to take it in. It’s forming similarly to my father’s scar, though his maze-lines were thicker, harsher.

“You’re not him,” Rhokar says gruffly, rightly guessing at who my thoughts are turning towards. “You’ll never be him.”

I clench my hand and drop it between my knees. “I can’t trick a female into being with me.”

“Who said anything about trick? You… woo her.”

I chuckle and turn to him. “Like you wooed Ella? Grace has more of a temper than her—”

“Ella has plenty of temper, don’t you worry about that…”

“—I wouldn’t survive a day if I used your idiot tactics,” I continue over him, grinning as he rolls his eyes.

“Yeah, yeah, I was stupid.” Rho drops his head back against the tree, and side-eyes me. “D’you remember what you told me, that day in the gym when I was all set to abandon hope?”

I look back down at my hand.

“You said, and I quote, ‘she might just be afraid, you great fuck.’ From what I understand, Grace has been burned a lot by males. Sounds to me like trust could be difficult for her. She really might just be afraid.”

“She might not be the only one,” I whisper, barely audible over the rushing sound of a sudden breeze. Even as the words leave me, I realize the utter truth of them. How can I be with someone like Grace, when I don’t know how to be with anyone at all? How could I possibly make it work without hurting her in the process? I don’t know what that looks like for me. I don’t know how to do that.

I was so happy for so long avoiding all serious attachments with females, and then this pretty little human drops before me and blows through all my defenses like they’re nothing. Without even trying to.

What if she doesn’t ever want me? What if she does? What if I give in to this feeling and then break her, like my father broke every female after my mother died? I begin to lose myself in a downward spiral of thoughts and wonder if it wouldn’t have been better for Grace if I never came into her life in the first place.

Rho punches me in the arm. Hard.

“Ouch,” I deadpan, sending him a glare.

“Do you want her?” he growls, glaring right back at me.

“Rho, I don’t know how—”

He punches me again, in the exact same spot. “I don’t care about all the rest. Do you want her?”

“Yes,” I mutter, rubbing at my arm. “Fuck.”

“And does she know that?”

“I…” I frown and look away. “I don’t know.”

“Then tell her.” Rho stands, offers me his hand and pulls me up. “Idiot.”

Chapter 21

Grace

It’s Thursday evening. My period was due on Sunday. It still hasn’t arrived.

I never miss my period. It’s never late. The last time this happened, I ended up being pregnant with Lucas. I know I already took an at home test like five days ago, but…

Is it about time I start panicking? I think it’s about time I start panicking. Definitely the logical reaction. Blind panic is always a good option.

Putting my work to the side, I grab my things and jump in my car, pulling out my phone to dial Ella since she should be finishing work about now. But before I can ring, a message pops through from Brad.

I can’t live without you, Pookie.

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