Page 85 of Tangled

“I’ve smoked pot, but it was back before I joined the Army.”

“Any siblings?”

“Nope, only child.”

“You’re a teacher like Olivia?”

I nod and set my jaw tightly. “Yes. Teaching was always in the cards for me. It’s a calling. I joined the Army to help pay for my schooling since my parents couldn’t afford to. But I take my job very seriously.”

Cooper and Dan glance in each other’s direction before focusing back on me.

“My daughter is extraordinary, Kane,” Olivia’s father leans in, resting his forearms on his knees. I want him to have no doubts about my intentions with her, so I mimic his stance—the only thing separating us is a few feet and a propane heater.

“Believe me, I know that, sir.”

“And she’s had her heart broken, too. She is intelligent and charismatic, sarcastic and loves with all of her soul. She’s loyal to a fault and deserves someone who understands every facet of her.”

“I agree, wholeheartedly. And believe me when I say this, Dan—even though I haven’t known your daughter for very long, I sensed all of that within just a few encounters with her. She mesmerizes me. She makes me feel alive again. And I have no intention of hurting her or letting her go.”

Dan leans back in his chair and Cooper follows suit before reaching down and grabbing a beer from the ice chest, popping the top off, and then handing it to me.

“Welcome to the family, son,” he clinks his beer with mine, Cooper copies the movement, and the three of us turn our attention to the football game, acting like nothing ever happened.

Chapter 35

Olivia

Getting through Thanksgiving dinner with my family was challenging given my emotional state. But seeing Kane come back inside from the garage with my brother and father, laughing and joking around with them, allowed me to postpone my freak out when I caught a glimpse of what our future could look like.

It made me think that maybe this could work, maybe this was it.Ourstory would be unconventional for sure, and backwards from how I thought my life would pan out—but Kane and I belonged together, that I was sure of. He fit in with my family seamlessly, my friends adored him, and he had made me feel a warmth and safety I’ve never felt with a man before.

The man had taken every doubt and insecurity I was feeling when I returned home from northern California and extinguished them, burnt them to the ground with every thoughtful question he asked, every kiss and reverent touch, and every mind-blowing orgasm. He’d restored my hope that there was someone out there meant for me. It’s like what my mom said to me when I had my breakdown right after coming home—when you find the right person, you’ll want to get it right with them. And I wanted everything right with Kane.

But now on the Saturday morning following Thanksgiving, I’m staring down at the two pink lines that have sealed our fate.

Pregnant.

“God, I knew it,” I whisper out loud even though no one’s around me and I am completely alone in my bathroom. My eyes shut as the tears threaten to start again. My mind is moving a mile a minute and my body is twisted in knots—I’m not even sure what emotions I’m feeling right now.

On the one hand, a part of me is excited to start a family and know that this baby is a part of Kane and me. I couldn’t have asked for a better man to have a child with. I can picture Kane on the couch in our home, resting with a baby sleeping on his chest, his strong hands supporting and loving the life we created with no hesitation.

And on the other hand, I’m terrified—my entire body shaking at the thought of having to tell him I was careless and it’s my fault this happened. I hope he doesn’t see this as me trying to trap him. I hope he understands that although a family will happen faster than I wanted it to for us, I couldn’t imagine doing this with someone else. My hands tremble with the possibility that although Kane has assured me it’smehe wants, that a baby will push him over the edge and he’ll retract his thoughts that he was ready to move on with his life.

Even though I know I need to tell him sooner rather than later, I’m desperate to confide in someone else.

“This better be good. I’m in the middle of a Netflix marathon,” Clara answers my phone call on the first ring.

“Clara…” My voice is so flustered just speaking her name that she picks up on my distress immediately.

“Liv? What’s wrong?”

“I… I’m…”

“Are you okay?” Clara sounds like she’s on the edge of her seat while she waits for me to pull it together and utter the words I know I need to admit to someone else.

“Ugh, no…” I manage to get out before slinking down onto my couch and letting the tears fall.

“Liv, you’re scaring me. Are you sure…”

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