Page 58 of Bullied Pregnant Mate

She scowled. "It's not that simple, Lucas. You can't just introduce me to a ton of people and expect me to get along with them."

"You kind of need to," I quickly added.

She set her ice cream aside. "Don't yell at me. You have no right to get angry at me for pushing me outside my comfort zone. This is all new to me."

"And you need to get used to it," I snapped back.

"And I told you that this isn't normal for me! I'm not used to people being nice. I'm not used to people being interested in what I do for a living. I'm not used to people just talking to me and not looking for a way to hurt me."

"That is my family," I snapped back. "And you need to get used to it because they will always be around once that baby is born."

We both fell quiet. The word had been spoken, and yet again, neither of us knew what to say. I sighed. "What was your plan? After the baby was born."

She swallowed, biting onto her cheek. "I didn't have one. I… I've never seen myself as a mother. I never thought that was a future I wanted." She ran a hand through her hair. "But I know I don't have a choice. Each day, I feel a stronger connection to it. I know that it's there." She placed a hand on her stomach beforelooking at me. "Do you see yourself as a father? Are you ready for that change?"

I didn't have an answer for her. I'd thought about it, but it wasn't something I saw in my future.

Chapter 23 - Gina

I rubbed my eyes, feeling them burn. I'm sure they were bloodshot again from not sleeping last night. I had tried, at least, but I tossed and turned all night, unable to finally relax. My mind was everywhere all at once.

I kept thinking about the fact our wedding, our fake wedding, was in two weeks, and I wanted to physically throw up. I was so worried that Chris was going to find out. He was going to sense I was lying, and everything was going to fall apart.

I'd thought of bringing up the baby, using it as leverage, but that felt wrong—almost as wrong as the fact that Lucas and I had yet to speak a word about it to each other. We had spoken little to each other over the past couple of days, and we both seemed unsure what to say.

I pinched my eyes, sighing heavily. I felt my stomach churn with hunger, and I bit my lip. I wondered if it was my own hunger or the baby's.

I glanced at the pregnancy test I had taken and the little plus sign on it. I had finally built up the nerve to do it at about two in the morning. Seeing the test come back positive had certainly made it real.

I reached for the chips and popped one into my mouth, knowing I should probably get up and eat some actual food. Snacking wasn't keeping me full anymore like it used to.

I set my computer aside, finishing a few things I needed for work. I looked at my planner, which I’d spread out, and made a quick note to message the church about a couple of things. Otherwise, the wedding was set.

I had picked out a simple white dress at the local boutique, which I often shopped at now. It was a simple white dress with laced arms. It wasn't tight, which was good since I had already gained a couple of pounds since being here.

I looked over at the dress lying on the chair across from me. I was planning on pairing it with some cream flats and a simple gold necklace.

I pulled my gaze away from the dress and toward the house. The house was almost done, except for me needing to finish painting and adding things I wanted. I wanted to buy new stuff but was waiting until the deed was in my name. All of this was risky because Chris could change his mind.

But if I had a marriage license, even if he didn't believe Lucas and I were actually married, it wouldn't matter. I had the proof. He had to give me the deed.

I'd had nightmares about it. Lucas never came to the church, and Chris laughed at me. I would jerk awake covered in sweat, afraid of going back to the pack and everyone knowing the truth.

I swallowed, shaking my head, and pulled myself up. I walked towards the dining room and headed into the kitchen. I needed food. Maybe eating would help settle my mind.

It was still a disaster, but I could see the outline coming into shape. The cabinets were in, and the countertop was coming in a few days. The fridge and the stove were hooked up. I opened the fridge and saw leftovers and some bagels.

We hadn't been cooking. Even if we weren't really talking, Lucas still came with food. More now than before, it was almost like he wanted to make sure I was eating more.

I grabbed the bagels and yanked one out, taking a bite. Then I turned and walked back down the dining room and back towards the living room.

Just as I was turning, there was a knock on the door, and I froze. I turned, staring at the shadow in the door's glass. I knew that Lucas was working overnight again, so it wasn't him. I checked the clock, seeing it was six.

I walked over, opened the door, and saw Cayden standing in the doorway. He raised an eyebrow at me, his eyes going to the bagel. "Well, I see I was late."

"For what?"

He held up a bag, and I could smell bacon. My stomach growled loudly, and my mouth watered.

---