Page 47 of Timeless: Encore

”Yeah? I’m happy with it. I know Zoey’s happy I’m done with it.” He smiles then resumes bustling around the kitchen.

I go to press play to listen to the rest of the album and happen to see a text pop up.

Zoey:I want to tell Fee.

”Aha!”I jump up and fling myself at Ty. “I knew it.”

Ty drops the chunk of cheese he’s holding on the floor when I crash into him. “Jesus, Zane. What the fuck?”

“Zoey is preggo. I’m so happy for you guys.” I grip his face and kiss him full on the mouth.

He twists away from me and wipes his mouth. Not mad, flustered. “Um … what?”

“Zoey just texted you.” I hold up the phone. “What would she want to tell Fee?”

Ty hasn’t moved. He swallows. Looks around. “I … um.”

“Dude, it’s so cool. You’ve wanted to be a dad for so long. You’re making your dreams come true.” I resist hugging Ty again, clearly he’s discombobulated. “Look, I won’t say anything.”

“What won’t you say, babe?” Fee wraps her arms around my middle. Zoey and Mia stand next to her.

Shit. I didn’t see them come in.

Zoey rushes over to Ty. “What’s wrong?” A look passes between them. I can’t quite put my finger on it, but there’s a vibe.

“Nothing. I was listening to music on Ty’s phone and saw a text come through.” I shrug. “No big deal.”

Ty looks down at Zoey and nods. She sighs and looks over at us. “We were going to say something when we were eating. I’m pregnant. Due late fall.”

”Did you hear that, Meems? You’re going to have another cousin.” Fiona’s pink hair is long and flowy today. She’s like a gothic fairy princess in her oversized black shirt and leggings.

Ty picks up the cheese. Doesn’t visibly react to their big news. “Food should be ready soon.” He tosses it in the trash and grabs a bag of shredded cheese from the fridge. Cracks a load of eggs. Buries himself in food prep while the four of us stand around the kitchen.

”Should we finish the show? The commercial is probably over.” Zoey tugs on Mia’s pigtail.

Fee shoots me a look when she follows Zoey and Mia out to the living room. When I see they’re settled back down watching their show, I move over to where Ty is slow-scrambling some eggs. It’s like he’s in a trance.

“Are you okay?” I pat his back. “I’m sorry if I said something that made you upset.”

He sighs. “I’m so fucking scared.”

“About being a dad? You’ll be ah-maz-ing.” I hope my voice is super encouraging.

Ty sets the pan of eggs aside. Takes out bacon and sausage, which are cooking on a sheet pan, from the oven. “Yeah, I want to believe that. Don’t get me wrong, I’m fucking psyched. You know how much I love that woman.” He points to Zoey. “I’m going to do right by her for the rest of my life, I just have all of these thoughts lately. Memories. It’s fucking with me. I’ve been talking to Lisa again. Zoey doesn’t know.”

”Why not?” I grab a piece of bacon and shove it in my mouth. I’m glad he’s talking to Lisa.Soglad.

He tilts his head and just looks at me. “I can’t stress her out. She’s pregnant. God, we’ve been through too much with the accident and my part in it. I just don’t—”

“It doesn’t work that way,” I interrupt, frustrated with his constant need to bury shit and not deal with it. “She’s gonnaknowsomething’s fucked up. Look, Fee was struggling last year and tried to play it down. She seriously thought I wouldn’t notice. If you love someone hard—and you guys fall into that category just like we do—you’re connected in a seriously intuitive way.” I tap my head. “Ty, trust me. Honor her. Tell her what’s on your mind, even if it’s painful.”

Ty scoops the eggs out on the platter. Arranges the sausages and bacon on another. Shoves them in the warmer and stirs the pancakes. We stand in silence while he ladles eight dollops of batter on the flat grill. Flips them. Puts them on a new platter. Repeats. He’s processing, it’s his way. It’s against my nature, but I know when to stay silent.

Finally, he looks up. “I’ll try to talk to her. I just don’t want to screw anything up.”

I listen to him ramble a bit and debate giving him sage words of wisdom. Something along the lines of: Zoey worships the ground he walks on. She loves Ty for the man he is, not the heartthrob rockstar fans think he is. She’s not going anywhere. Ever.

I’m about to tell him to take his head out of his ass when Mia runs up and stands before us. She’s not happy. “Uncle Ty, I’mhunnnnngry. Breakfast is taking solooonnnng.”

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