Page 53 of The Homewrecker's Fate

“It’s okay. She didn’t want to upset you.” Brax pulled my hand into his lap and then turned to look at me. “She told me she was really happy for me that I wasn’t the father of her baby because I deserved a little less mess in the life you and I are building together.”

“Aww, I want to give her another hug now.” I pouted, as if it would bring Mel back so I could do just that.

“I’m sure you’ll get a chance to do that soon.”

“Thank you for being here by my side through this. I don’t know what I did to deserve you, but I appreciate every minute that you don’t run away screaming.”

I chuckled along as he laughed at me once more. “Love you, Avi.”

“Love you right back, Brax.”

Chapter 21

“Well, it’s official!” I announced while a tear ran down my cheek. I pulled a tissue from my pocket and swiped at my eyes. “I don’t even know why I’m crying. It’s not like the place held super special memories.”

“My first blanket fort,” Brax corrected.

I smiled up at him. “The same night we boinked for the first time.”

“Boinked?” Brax laughed out his response.

“Made love?” I questioned. He shook his head at me.

“I swear, the hormones are really attacking your gray matter. At this rate, we might have to train you on your ABCs at the same time we do Janine.”

“Oh, shut up!” I sassed back. It had all worked to cure my minute of heartache over selling my condo. “Can we go back to your place for a bit, so we can boink without my mom hearing the springs on the mattress?” I mimicked the rhythmic, squeaking sound out loud.

“How about we spend the night there, if you still want to, later?”

“Why can’t we go now?”

“Promised your mom we would have dinner with her tonight.”

“You did?” I sniffled again. Damn the hormones.

“I did,” He agreed. “Come on, sweetheart.” Brax put his hand up to the small of my back and guided me back to the Jeep Grand Cherokee I purchased last week. It was easier to get in and out of, but my belly had become a hindrance.

“Can you drive?”

“Of course.” I handed off my keys and yawned as Brax got us both situated in my new vehicle. “Need me to stop anywhere on the way back?”

I shook my head. “Nope.” I closed my eyes for a minute and when I opened them again, half of our drive was already over. “Oh, wow! I nodded off.”

“You’re exhausted. Somehow, I don’t think boinking is going to be on the agenda tonight, sweetheart.”

“That’s a shame, Brax.” My words were followed up with another yawn. “This sweet girl is eating up all my energy today.”

“You’re 36-weeks, sweetheart. You need to start getting all the rest you can because she’s going to be here before you know it.”

“Ugh! Don’t remind me. I want to hold her so bad, but giving birth scares the crap out of me.”

“You won’t be alone, Avi.”

“What if something happens to me? Janine cannot be raised by a father who hates women and probably himself.”

“I promise you, if it comes down to it, I will kidnap your daughter and Jane. We’ll get Amelia to tag along and maybe Mel and the kids can follow us later once the coast is clear. We won’t let the bastard corrupt your daughter.”

“Thanks for humoring my crazy lately.”

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