Page 22 of Unexpected Love

“I’m not sure what you’re expecting to have happen when you get there, but whatever it is, I just want you happy.” He pulls me into a back-slapping hug. As much as we’ve fought over the years, I love my dad. He’s always stood behind every decision I’ve made.

“Thanks. I love you.” I head out the door, jump in my car, and head to Chloe.

On my way out of town, I stop at the gas station and buy a jumbo cup of crappy coffee; two stale, dry donuts; a pack of gum; and a huge bottle of water. In the car, I call my boss. Chief Jones is probably at the station already. The man has been with the Beaufort Police Department for twenty years, and it was after he came and gave a talk at my high school that I started considering joining the police force.

His secretary answers, and he’s there so she puts me right back to him. I tell him about Chloe and the baby and that I need to take some time off to see to her. Of course he’s cool about it. “I’m so sorry, son.”

“Thank you.”

“Take as much time as you need. You don’t qualify for FMLA, but you can take a leave of absence,” he says.

“I don’t think I’ll be gone for more than a week, but I’ll keep you posted.” I take a deep breath. “Thanks for being so understanding.”

“My wife and I lost a child. She was only eight weeks along, but we still felt it. Just be patient with her. Take care.”

We hang up, and I toss my phone in the seat. His words replay in my head, and I know I need to heed them. There’s a good chance she won’t want to see me, and I’m prepared for that. My mom has always said I’m stubborn, which means I won’t give up.

***

After checking into my hotel for the night, I take the elevator up and stick the card in the door, waiting for the little beep. Stepping into the room, I drop my bag on the floor and collapse on the bed. I fall asleep immediately.

My eyes flutter open, and it takes me a second to remember where I am. Then it hits me like a ton of bricks. Chloe…Baby…Miscarriage. The heaviness returns as I grab my phone and look at the time. “Shit.” It’s four in the morning. I slept the entire day away. Flinging myself back on the bed, I stare at the ceiling, my eyes getting used to the dark.

I end up lying in bed until the sun shines brightly in my room. It’s seven now, and I think I even dozed off for a little bit on and off. I climb out of bed, strip out of my clothes, and take a shower.

I throw on a pair of tan cargo shorts and a blue t-shirt. After stuffing my wallet and my phone into my pockets, I slip on my tennis shoes and head downstairs to grab some breakfast.

It’s a buffet, so I grab my plate and pile it high with food. I grab a cup of coffee and carry it over to a single-seat table. Digging in immediately, I didn’t realize just how hungry I was, and even though the food isn’t that great, it’s at least something.

I feel eyes on me and look up to find two women around my age openly checking me out. Normally, I’d be all over them and in about five minutes we’d be upstairs having a good time. Instead I give them a chin lift and go back to eating my food.

Chloe’s always on my mind these days, and until I see her and we talk, there’s no way I can be with someone else. It would feel wrong. How come being with Chloe feels right? Maybe it’s just lust. We had amazing chemistry our night together. Her body fit against mine like it was designed specifically for me. Fuck, I can still taste her on my tongue.

Fuck, what am I doing? Chloe just lost our baby, and I’m thinking about fucking her? I shake my head because I’m clearly a horny idiot.

After I finish eating, I pop some gum in my mouth and head out to the parking lot. I climb into my car and drive the five minutes to her place.

I reach my destination: a cute little white home. It’s surrounded by trees and shrubbery, giving it a cozy feel. Her Camaro is in the driveway with a silver two-door Mini Cooper behind it. I take a deep breath and climb out of my car. I make my way up to the door. Lifting my hand to knock, I jerk back because the door flings open and her friend Eli stands there.

He glowers at me and doesn’t say anything, but I do. “I need to see her.”

Eli closes the front door and steps onto the front porch. “You don’t need to see shit. She doesn’t want to see us, so I can be certain that she does not want to see you.” His finger is in my face.

“That was my baby, too.” I take a step forward, brushing his hand away. “I’m going to go inside and see for myself how she’s doing. You can try to stop me, but I’m an officer of the law, so trust me, you don’t want to test me.” I feel my stomach lurch as Eli’s eyes widen in shock. Holy shit, did I just threaten Chloe’s best friend? I take a deep breath. “Fuck, I’m sorry, man, but I need to see her. Please.”

He narrows his eyes but nods and moves out of the way, letting me push the door open and step inside. I don’t even take the opportunity to look around her house, even though I didn’t get a chance to really wander around the last time I was here. I was too focused on her.

At the end of the hall, I reach her bedroom door. I slowly open it and peer inside. She’s in bed, because I can see her dark hair peeking out from her comforter. “Go away, Eli. I don’t want to talk.”

I step farther into her bedroom and shut her door. “It’s me.”

Even with her buried under piles of blankets, I can still see her body go stiff. Ragnar crawls out from under the comforter and sits on the end of the bed, staring at me. I ignore the giant cat and come around to the side of the bed so I can see her.

I pull up the blanket, and Chloe tries to hide her face. Her skin’s fair enough already, but now she’s pale with purplish bags standing out under her bloodshot eyes. “Why are you here?” Her voice is scratchy and hoarse.

My hand makes its way under the blankets until it connects with hers. She tries to pull it away from me, but I don’t let her. I don’t get on the bed, but I get down on my knees next to it. I’m tall enough that I can lean in close to her. “I’m so fucking sorry.” Tears slip from her eyes, and I reach out, wiping them away. My own eyes feel that ache that happens before tears fall.

“What are you sorry for?” she snaps. “You didn’t want her.”

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