Page 108 of Mine to Ruin

He chuckles and takes my lips in a searing kiss.

“Can you imagine that—you carrying my baby? What if I end up being a crap father? I should have thought of that.”

It’s not that I would necessarily be over the moon considering how young I still am, but him turning a one eighty on me sets a heavy weight.

I can picture him as a father, and he would be anything but crap.

Life here seems cut off from reality. The chalet is in the middle of mountains and forests stretching for miles, with only Aaron and Vera for neighbors.

A car honks, and Kian growls. The moon peers through the window, and I slip from his arms, shocked to realize we slept all afternoon. I go down the stairs, and his voice trails after me.

“Put something on. You’ll catch a cold.”

I grab a coat from the hanger, and Aubrey and Tara climb out of the SUV. We run to each other, tumbling down, laughter echoing around us.

Melanie gets out of the car next and I freeze. Seeing her takes me aback. She rolls her eyes and strolls inside. Over my shoulder, I see Kian on the doorstep, narrowing his eyes at her and cursing under his breath.

Brandon hops out of the car, and he glares at Kian with disgust.

“I hope you both don’t mind. I invited her,” Brandon says.

His announcement brings our chatter to a complete stop. Jason steps out from the passenger’s seat, followed by Kendrick.

“This place is amazing,” Tara changes the subject, and I’m grateful for that.

“No one told me it would be this cold.” Aubrey rubs her hands together, blowing on them.

“It’s winter in the mountains. What did you expect?”

She shrugs. “Glamour.”

We burst into laughter, and she says, “But, hey, I am here for you.” Her eyes dart toward Jason who drinks her up, and Tara and I exchange knowing looks.

Brandon walks over to Melanie in the corner and says something in a hushed tone, and she nods.

The living room soon brims with snacks and bottles of wine, cards scattered around, and I have lost count of how much I laughed playing Pictionary.

“That’s not fair, you should be disqualified,” Aubrey says with a puff.

They all nod in unison, looking at me while Kian and I dominate the game.

When we win, I press my head on his shoulder and he gathers me in his arms, kissing my forehead, and there it is again, Brandon’s eyes filling with hatred, it’s hard not to notice.

Then there’s the fact he and Melanie never left each other’s side. Everyone scrambles upstairs, Tara and Aubrey fighting over the rooms. Two doors open and close simultaneously.

“It’s weird, this sudden new friendship between Brandon and Melanie,” I say, cuddling into Kian on the couch.

“Are you jealous?” Accusation laces his question and I lift my eyes to him and huff.

“I am worried.”

He grumbles. “He is old enough. The moment he appears, it’s Brandon, Brandon, Brandon.”

I let out a groan, half frustration, half annoyance. Melanie sways her hips down the stairs in what has to be the most minuscule pajama shorts of all time and smirks. My patience wavers.

“Don’t mind me. I’m just thirsty.”

I grab a donut and sink my teeth into it to keep from throwing it at her smug face, but the sweetness eases my anger somewhat. Kian’s phone rings, and he excuses himself.

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