Page 21 of Unexpected Love

Chapter Six

Joe

After stepping inside my apartment, the first thing I do is take a shower. It was a bad fucking night. I made a DUI arrest, and the guy resisted, elbowing me in the face. Once I got the perp to the station, he puked all over me. Even though I had a shower at the station, I can still smell it. I strip out of my clothes on my way to the bathroom and spend a good thirty minutes in scalding hot water, soaping myself multiple times.

Climbing out, I wrap a towel around my waist and make some coffee. While that’s brewing, I throw on a t-shirt and a pair of cut-off sweats. I reach the living room as a knock sounds at my door. It’s only seven thirty in the morning; I can’t imagine who it could be. Looking through the peephole, I see it’s my dad and Uncle Dustin.

Pulling open the door, I smile. “Hey guys, what are you doing here?” My smile fades immediately when I see the look on their faces. “What’s wrong?”

“Can we come in?” I step back, and my dad walks in first, followed by my uncle. “Son, come sit down.”

I follow them and sit in my recliner. “What’s going on? You’re starting to freak me out.”

I figure Dad has something to say to me, but instead it’s my uncle. “Your aunt went with her mom to Atlanta to celebrate Chloe’s dad’s birthday. During the party, Chloe started bleeding and then cramping really bad. I hate to be the one to tell you, but she lost the baby.”

A strange buzzing starts in my ears. She lost the baby; she lost our baby. The baby I was too scared to deal with. Without thinking, I grab my end table, shit flying everywhere, and throw it against my flat screen. My dad and uncle grab me and push me back into the chair.

Tears begin to run down my face. I don’t even bother trying to hide them. “How is— is she?”

“She’s not doing too good. Your aunt says she’s not talking to anyone. Chloe consented to have the baby tested to find out if there were any abnormalities, so at least she’ll have some sort of answer.” My uncle’s hand is on my shoulder.

“What was it?” They look at me with a questioning look. “A girl or a boy?”

“It was a girl. I’m so sorry, Joe.”

I bury my face in my hands. My palms are wet from the tears that have begun to fall again. There is such a painful ache in my chest right now. This is my fault; I did this. If I would’ve been involved, that would’ve eased her stress. I wipe my face and look at my dad. “This is my fault. I got scared and told her I didn’t want to be involved.” I suck in a breath. “It was a lie. I wanted that baby—I swear to you I did.”

My dad lays his hand on my other shoulder. “You were scared, and that’s okay. This is not your fault. This isn’t her fault, either.”

I push up out of my chair. “I need to go to Atlanta. I need to see her.”

In my room, I grab my duffle bag and start shoving clothes into it. “Son, what about your job?”

“I’ll stop by the station and talk to my boss. I haven’t taken any time off or called in sick. I think I’m allowed to take time off for an emergency. Whether Chloe wants me or not, she’s going to need me.” My dad follows me into the bathroom, where I grab my toiletries.

“Son, why don’t you wait a few days? There’s a good chance that she won’t want to see you right now.” He’s right, and I’m being selfish, but I don’t care.

“Too bad. That was my child, too.”

My dad sighs. “Son, I just want you prepared. As far as she knows, you didn’t want the baby.”

I hang my head because as much as he’s right, I have to go. I just do. Slinging my bag over my shoulder, I walk into the living room where my uncle is cleaning up the mess I made. “Thanks,” I tell him.

“I texted your aunt and told her you were coming. She’s not sure that’s a good idea.”

I take a frustrated breath. “No disrespect, but I don’t care if she thinks it’s not a good idea. I need to see Chloe—end of story.” I grab my wallet and phone, shoving them both in my pocket. “Lock up on your way out,” I holler as I head toward the front door.

“Joe, please reconsider. At least wait until tomorrow. You shouldn’t drive right now.” My dad moves to stand right in front of me. “I know you’re hurting and you want to support Chloe while she deals with this loss, but driving while you’re upset is not safe, and you should know that.”

“Dad, I promise you I’m fine. Yes, I’m upset, but I’m okay.”

“Okay, so you’re okay, but you just got off the night shift. Sleep for a couple of hours first, at least.”

Honestly, I’m fine—I’ll sleep when I check into a hotel, and that’s what I tell them.

“Fine, but I want periodic phone calls and a call when you get there. Your mother will worry.”

“Yeah, okay.” I reach for the door, but he stops me with a hand on my arm. “What?”

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