Page 75 of Accidental Baby Daddy

Chapter 23

Lexie

Oliver grabbed my arm, dragging me into the back office. I sighed heavily. I hadn’t wanted to tell him this way. I wanted to wait until after my shift was over, after all the business was concluded. I wanted to tell him at home, where we could talk about things in complete privacy, where it wouldn’t be so stressful.

But he’d freaked out about Tristan—again—and I’d just blurted it out. I couldn’t help myself. I was already so stressed out, and the only way that I could convince him to leave Tristan alone was to tell him the truth.

“What the hell did you just say?” Oliver asked in a low voice.

“I’m pregnant.”

“And it’s?—”

“Of course it’s yours,” I snapped. “Who else would it be?”

Don’t you dare say Tristan.Oliver clenched his jaw shut, not saying anything for a long moment.

“Why didn’t you tell me before now?”

“I don’t know,” I said miserably. “I’ve been trying to wrap my head around it.”

He sighed. “And you're sure it's mine?”

“Oliver, if you ask me that one more time?—”

“Sorry, sorry,” he apologized quickly, his brows drawing together in a frown. “It's just a lot to process, especially with the way you just sprung it on me.”

“I know it is,” I said calmly. “And I’m sorry about that. But can’t you see why I didn’t tell you before now? If you still can’t trust me around Tristan, why should I think you’ll trust me to be a good mother?”

“How am I supposed to trust you around Tristan?” he snapped, anger flashing in his brown eyes.

“You’re supposed to trust meperiod, Oliver. But you don’t and you never have.” I was angry, but I was more tired than angry. Tired of Oliver not trusting me, tired of him always believing that I was sneaking around behind his back.

“We aren’t even together,” Oliver argued. “Why would I trust you when?—”

“Because it'sme, Ollie,” I said passionately, pointing at my chest. “Because you didn’t believe me then and you should have. Just as you should believe me now. I only ever wanted you.”

Oliver went quiet for a long moment, too long.

“I was thrown into fatherhood unexpectedly with Trent because of how his mother handled things,” he said quietly. “I don’t want to miss out on this baby’s life. That being said, we can be civil and co-parent. We can be friends.”

I stared at him incredulously. “Is that what you want? To be...friends?” I almost spat the word out.

“Isn’t that what you want? You broke things off,Lex. Don’t act like?—”

“Act like what? Like I care? Idocare, Oliver. That’s why....” I took in a deep breath, stopping myself before I said something I’d regret. Talking was clearly getting us nowhere. “I need to finish cleaning up.”

I started to head out of the office, but Oliver grabbed my hand before I reached the door, pulling me back toward him.

“I don’t see any other way, Lex,” he said, his voice sounding almost pained. “I wasn’t able to trust you back then, and you’re right, I can’t trust you now. I thought... I thought I was over it, but seeing you with him...”

“I wasn’t with him,” I said through gritted teeth, yanking my hand away. “I was just talking to him. Just like all those years ago, Oliver. You were wrong then, and you’re wrong now.”

Oliver looked at me for a brief moment before averting his gaze. “I want to go to doctor’s appointments. I want to be there throughout the pregnancy.”

“Fine,” I said tightly. “You can be at doctor’s appointments. You can see the baby whenever you want.” I paused. “But I’m leaving Wagontown as soon as the baby’s born and settled. I’m starting a new life. You can travel to see your child.”

His eyes shot back to mine, but he didn’t protest, his mouth twisting in a sort of snarl.

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