Page 68 of Embracing Trust

Patrick checks his watch. “A little early, isn’t it? Everything okay?”

I nod. “Yeah.”

Lydia looks from me to Patrick.

“And before you ask, no, I haven’t told her yet.”

Patrick and Lydia shoot each other a look.

I hold up my hand. “I know. I know. I should’ve told her.”

“You better hope Aubree goes back to North Carolina before Julia finds out,” Patrick says as he brings a spoonful of ice cream to his mouth.

I huff. “Julia isn’t going to find out.”

I love my brother, but he can also remind me of a nagging mother sometimes. “I’m handling it, okay?”

Lydia turns to me and bites her lip. “By not telling her?”

My shoulders drop.

“Eventually you’re going to have to tell Mom and Dad too,” Patrick says.

Lydia shrugs. “You don’t want them to find out from Aubree, right?” She stirs her iced tea.

They’re right. I know what I need to do.

A few things are solid. I don’t want to be with Aubree, but I want to be with Julia—to hopefully have a future with her.

If everything turns out exactly right and all the stars align in my favor, I may get to spend more time with Julia. The way things are going now, I’m certainly not holding out much hope.

Chapter Thirty

Ryan

It’s Sunday afternoon and Patrick and I are watching a baseball game on TV. Lydia is out shopping with her friends.

“I figured you’d be at Julia’s this afternoon,” Patrick says as he opens his beer.

“Not today.” I adjust the pillow behind my back on Patrick’s couch. “She has a bunch of photos to edit before tomorrow.”

“How are things going?” Patrick takes a pull from his beer bottle.

I pop a chip into my mouth. “I haven’t told her, but I will.”

My stomach clenches. The thought of telling Julia guts me. I don’t want her to be disappointed in me.

Patrick shakes his head and sets his beer bottle between his legs. The lecture I’m expecting doesn’t come and once the commercials end, he’s engrossed in the game again.

I let out a sigh and we watch more of the game in silence. I’m interrupted by a text message.

Aubree: On my way to your parents’ house now. If you’re not going to tell them about the baby, I am. I will give you about 30 minutes to get here. Drive safely. See you soon!

Ryan: Don’t tell them anything. On my way.

I throw the phone down on the coffee table a little harder than I intend.

Patrick startles. “What’s going on?”

---