Page 62 of Kings of the Campus

Tessa looks at us, her eyes widening slightly. “You wanted…what?”

Alec takes a deep breath, stepping forward. “We want to be with you, Tessa.”

Tessa’s eyes flicker between us, a mix of surprise and vulnerability. “You wanted that? Even after everything?”

“Yeah,” Devin admits quietly. “We’re hoping you might give us a chance.”

I see the conflict in her eyes, the struggle to reconcile our offer with everything she’s been through. She seems to be weighing her options, trying to understand what this means for her, for us.

“No matter what happens next, we’re here for you. Whatever you need, however you need us, we’re here.”

Her gaze softens a bit, though I can still see the exhaustion and fear lingering. “I don’t know what to say,” she whispers, her voice trembling. “This is a lot to take in, especially with everything that’s happening.”

“We get it,” Alec says gently. “We just wanted you to know that we’re here, and we care. We want to be more than just friends. If you’re open to it, we’re willing to work through everything together.”

There’s a pause as Tessa absorbs our words. I can see the wheels turning in her mind, the struggle between her fears and the hope that maybe, just maybe, this is what she needs right now.

Before she can respond though, the doctor comes bustling in. He’s an older man, in his late fifties maybe, with salt-and-pepper hair and a friendly smile.

“I’m Dr. Shepard,” he says, introducing himself. “I took a look at your ultrasound and I have good news for you. Your baby is fine, as far as I can tell. I need to do a few more tests but I think you’re in the clear for now.”

Profound relief washes over me. I feel it in my chest, a weight lifting that I hadn’t fully realized I was carrying. The tension in the room seems to dissolve as the doctor’s words sink in—Tessa isn’t having a miscarriage; the baby is fine.

I look at Tessa, and something in me shifts. As I take in the sight of her, the exhaustion and fear starting to fade from her expression, I realize just how much this baby means to me. It’s not just about being there for her anymore; it’s about being a part of this new life that’s on the way.

The thought of having a baby with Tessa, of starting a family with her, suddenly feels more real and urgent. It’s a mix of emotions I didn’t expect—excitement, hope, and an overwhelming sense of protectiveness. I can see a future with her in it, and the thought should terrify me. I’m only twenty-one, after all, but it doesn’t scare me. It feels right, somehow.

Dr. Shepard leaves and the three of us look at Tessa, trying to take our cues from her.

“You know,” Tessa begins, her eyes filling up with tears. “I didn’t know what I wanted when I found out about this baby, but I have to admit that the thought of losing him or her scared the crap out of me. Now that I know that they’re not going anywhere, I feel so much better. Is that okay?”

“Whatever you want to do, we support you,” Devin says, a fierceness in his words that makes Tessa’s eyes widen. “You’re our main priority from now on. We’re here to protect you and to take care of you. If you want this baby, it’s your decision.”

She fiddles with her fingers, a faint smile on her face. But then she frowns and glances back up at us, worry etched in her brow.

“I know this is a lot,” she says slowly. “If it’s too much, I understand. You don’t have to stick around. If you don’t want to be part of my, or the baby’s life, then it’s okay with me. I don’t expect you guys to stick around just because of this situation that you never asked for.”

I open my mouth to protest but Tessa holds a hand up. “Please, don’t answer right away. I need you to think about it. Really think about what it is you want. You don’t deserve to be saddled down with all my baggage. You can walk away now if you want and I won’t hold it against you.”

36

DEVIN

The room feels heavier now, the air thick with unspoken hopes and fears. Tessa’s words hang between us, a tentative offer that stirs something deep within me. She’s scared, vulnerable, and despite everything, she’s offering us a way out, a lifeline.

But determination rises inside me, to prove her fears wrong, to stay by her side, to show her that we’re committed—not just to being there for her now, but to facing whatever comes next together. I step forward, my voice steady but earnest.

“Tessa, you don’t have to worry about that,” I say, trying to convey the sincerity behind my words. “We’re all in this with you. This has been a wake-up call for us. We realize now how much we want to be here for you, for the baby, and for everything that’s coming.”

Alec and Jace nod in agreement, their expressions reflecting the same resolve. Alec adds, “We know we’ve messed up, and we want to make things right. We want to be a part of your life, all of it—past, present, and future.”

Jace steps in, his charm softened by genuine concern. “Tessa, we’ve been thinking a lot about what we want, and it’s clear to usnow. We’re ready to put the past aside and be here for you. So, if you’re willing, we’d like to be a part of your life, and the baby’s, too.”

The three of us wait, our hearts in our throats, as we look at her, hoping she’ll see that we’re ready to step up and support her in every way.

Tessa’s gaze flickers between us, her expression a mix of exhaustion and contemplation. She takes a deep breath, clearly weighing her options. “I appreciate what you’re saying, and I’m grateful for your support,” she begins, her voice steady but soft. “But I need some time to think about it. This is a lot to process, and I don’t want to rush into anything.”

We nod, understanding her need for space, though the weight of her uncertainty hangs heavy in the room. Just as the silence starts to settle in, the door opens, and Dr. Shepard walks in with a clipboard in hand.

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