Page 16 of Love Takes Home

“Originally, yes. But when Keith moved in, he demanded his name be put on the lease and I did because I was a fool.”

“You’re not a fool.”

“But I am. You can say it. I wasted two fucking years of my life with him and for what? What do I have to show for it? New insecurities? Lack of trust? Fear that every man out there is just like him and all the ones who came before? The very possible reality that I’m going to be alone for the rest of my life living with her mommy and daddy?”

“Not even close, Gin. Not every man is going to be like that. You just have to find your perfect match.”

He reaches over and squeezes my knee, giving me comfort. But all it does is send electric bolts up my leg and into a part of me that hasn’t felt anything for two years.

“Logically, I know what you say is true. Rationally, too. But my brain? My heart? They only know what they’ve experienced.”

“Well, we’ll just have to alter your experiences.”

I’m about to ask him what that means when both of our phones start dinging like crazy.

Davis: It’s time. Taking Trish to the hospital. Time to have a baby!

Trish: He means it. It’s really time!

The texts are still dinging in from the rest of the group when I look at Joker.

“Looks like it’s time to go! Grab your stuff and let’s hit the road.” He stands, pulling me up with him.

Oh, my gosh, it’s baby Mills time!

Chapter 6

Joker

We hurriedly throw allof our stuff into the back of the truck and rush to town. I can’t help but notice how quiet Ginny is on the drive, and I keep looking at her. She looks both incredibly happy and terribly sad at the same time. Knowing her situation, I can understand the duality. I should have told her that I already knew about her past, but is there really a point now? It wouldn’t change that she told me on her own, something that really surprised me. I know she doesn’t talk about it, and I also have a theory it’s why she’s never moved away from home, or left for long periods of time. I would say it’s also why her dad is so protective of her.

As we pass the site of the car accident, Ginny is looking out the window in the opposite direction while my focus is on the tire marks in the median and on the road. I’m still pissed that Smith was too far behind him to see anything, since we have a tracker on him and don’t need to ride his ass. Logically I knowthe protocol, but irrationally? I want to punch the asshole for not having the answers I want. All we know is that he was heading back from Diamond Cove. He was going to be late, but he was heading back. According to Smith, he spent the night in two or three different clubs before getting a hotel room. He didn’t emerge until morning when he started heading this way.

We pull into the parking lot of the hospital, and I look over and smile at her. “Ready?”

“Yes!” She bounces in her seat and I tell her to stay there. I’m a gentleman most of the time, and I’ll open her fucking door.

“Have they let it slip yet if it’s a boy or girl?” I ask as we walk to the front doors.

“No, they wanted to keep it a surprise.”

“Crazy people and their surprises.”

“Right. It makes it really hard to shop for the perfect things.”

“Exactly.”

“Wait.” She pauses outside the doors and turns to me. “You shopped?”

“Of course. I think we both know that baby will want for nothing.”

She nods her head and looks inside but doesn’t make a move to go in.

“What’s on your mind?”

“I don’t know if I’m ready,” she admits quietly.

“You are.”

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