Page 162 of Puck Prince

46

OWEN

I can’t be in my apartment. Not when I know she’s right next door, one wall away.

Not when the image of her sobbing in my entryway is still fresh enough that it’s been hours, and I keep finding myself reaching for her.

Then I remember she lied.

Callie kept a pregnancy from me.My babyfrom me. If I‘d known she was pregnant, I never would’ve told people we were dating. I wouldn’t have taken her to bars and the ball and expected her to sit in the crowd at my games where anyone could get to her.

I would’ve kept her away from the press and the cameras. I would have protected her.

But she never even gave me the chance.

I take the stairs up to Summer’s place, hoping to work off some of the steam in my veins. I knock once, and my sister opens the door.

“You didn’t even check to see who it was first,” I growl.

“Hello to you, too, O. Lovely to see you.” She stands aside, waving me in. “Speaking of seeing you, I saw you on the cameras you installed, dumbass. I also heard you tear into the lot ten minutes ago and then sit in your car. I’ve been expecting you.”

I ignore the sass and walk inside. Summer locks the door behind me.

She checks the baby monitor on the counter before turning her attention back to me. “He’s still asleep, so tell me what’s going on.”

“Callie’s pregnant.”

It’s the first time I’ve said it out loud and it doesn’t feel real.

“Oh.” She lets out a low, long whistle. “Congrats?”

I look up under lowered brows, leveling her with what I hope is a scathing look.

“Or not.” She drops down onto the couch next to me with a wince. “Shit. I’m sorry.”

That doesn’t feel right, either.

Am I sorry?

I stand up and pace across the living room. It’s a new habit of mine. I picked it up two hours ago. “She didn’t tell me. She kept it from me.”

“For how long?”

“She’s twelve weeks.”

Summer nods, silently processing everything. Meanwhile, my mind is like a tumble cycle on the dryer. I can’t seem to grab a firm hold of any thought or feeling.

“Maybe she was scared?”

“I’mscared. I was parading her in front of the media for weeks, Summer. She’s been to games and bars and—” I shove my hands through my hair. I’m going to be bald by the end of the day. “I would’ve done everything differently if I’d known.”

“What did you do when she told you?”

There’s a part of the story I’m not exactly proud of.

“I told her to get out, then I came here.”

“Owen!” Nicky stirs on the monitor, and we both pause, waiting for him to settle. As soon as he does, Summer leans in, whisper-shouting. “Your girlfriend told you she’s pregnant with your baby, and you told her to kick rocks? Are you fucking kidding me?”

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