Page 60 of Embracing Trust

Reluctantly, I join her on the swing.

She takes a deep breath. “I know we’re not together anymore, but I miss you.”

My chest tightens and I rub my chin. “You miss me?”

Aubree runs her long fingernails down my bicep. “Of course. Don’t you miss me?” She turns to face me.

“You came all this way to tell methat?” I rub my forehead.

This is giving me one hell of a headache.

“I’ve missed yousomuch,” she whispers and wraps her arms around me. She moves her face toward mine and I back away before she can kiss me.

Aubree’s lip curls. “What’sthatall about?” Her face reddens.

Aubree’s temper is like a firecracker with a short fuse, so I need to keep this exchange as low-key as possible, but I need to send her on her way.

I shake my head. “Aubree, listen—"

Aubree huffs. “So, you don’t want to be with me anymore? That’s what you’re saying?”

This is the manipulation. This is how she gets her way with her father, her family, her friends. This is her modus operandi.

“I’m actually seeing someone here.” I’m trying to be gentle.

Her shoulders sag. “What?”

I nod. “Yes. I’m seeing someone.”

Her eyebrows rise. “You’re back with that girl, aren’t you? Julie.”

“Julia,” I correct.

“From what you told me about her, you know that’ll never work out. You even said it yourself.”

Her comment is a punch to the gut, like the lace of a boxing glove pounding relentlessly on the open wounds. I was a mess when I got back to Fort Bragg from Afghanistan. Everything bad from my past wormed its way into my brain and held on like a relentless bastard. Things I hadn’t thought about in years—that didn’t bother me much at the time—came into my head and took up residency like an unwanted houseguest. And she’s right—my failed relationship with Julia was one of the many things that convinced me I wasn’t worthy of happiness. Those were some lonely days.

“I was in a dark place when I got back from Afghanistan,” I choke out.

Aubree sighs and rolls her eyes. “Besides, that’s not the only thing I came to tell you. . . Since you decided I wasn’t important enough to answer my texts or return my calls, you left me no other choice.”

“What are you talking about?” There’s a tension in my gut. In my neck.

Aubree looks directly into my eyes. “I’m pregnant.” The bomb detonates in my ears. She studies my face, waiting for my reaction.

My stomach twists like a tornado and rips through my body, taking everything in its path. “What?”

“You heard me. I’m pregnant.”

This cannot be happening. This has to be a nightmare I will wake up from soon.

“How?”

She laughs, but the bitter sound that escapes her is more evil than friendly. “I think we both know.” She rolls her eyes.

I check the front door to make sure it’s closed.

“We used birth control every time.” My voice is barely above a whisper.

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