Page 166 of Puck Prince

“It’s okay,” Owen whispers. I think he presses a kiss to the top of my head, but I could be imagining it.

“Is everything alright, sir?” a man asks. Owen holds me tighter, tucking my face against his chest so no one can see my face. “Do you need us to call for an ambulance?”

“No, I’m taking care of her. I’ll Venmo you for closing down for us. I appreciate it.”

The man, a manager by the sound of it, tells Owen not to worry about it. “The press has been out of control. I feel bad that you can’t live your lives in peace.”

Owen thanks him again, and we make our way to the front door. Just before we step outside, he cups my cheek, silently asking me to look up at him. His eyes are a stormy blue and my chest cracks open at the sight of him, so handsome and solid.Why did I have to mess everything up?

“Callie, it’s going to be chaotic out here. Just hang onto me, and I’ll get us out of here, okay?”

I nod and lean back into him. A second later, the door opens, and it’s like a bomb has gone off.

There’s noise everywhere—the popping and snapping of cameras, reporters shouting questions. Owen shields me with his body, but I feel him jostle as people crowd in on either side.

“Move!” Owen booms more than once. Then he lowers his voice, speaking only to me. “We’re almost there. Just hang onto me.”

But the reporters are relentless. They yell out, asking about paternity tests and money grabs.

I was scared to tell Owen about the baby because of how he’d react to me, but I didn’t even think about how everyone else would react. The consequences of this go so much farther than just the two of us.

That day in my office with Spencer rises to the forefront of my mind, along with a wave of bile, and I realize that some people could even speculate that he’s the father. They’d be wrong, but that won’t stop each and every rumor from skinning me down to my most vulnerable moment.

I need to tell Owen what happened. I need to prepare him for what might come next.

But the cameras keep clicking, the lights keep flashing, and people keep pushing. Now isn’t the time.

My heart leaps in my chest when I hear the door to Owen’s BMW unlock. Gently, he sets me on my feet and helps me inside. Owen cages me in, blocking me from the view of the cameras.

As soon as I’m in, he closes the door and jogs around the car. Reporters close in on either side, and I’ve never been so grateful for window tint.

“Are we going to be able to get out?”

“Oh, they’ll move.” He checks to make sure I’m buckled and then shoves the car into drive. “Or I’ll make them move.”

He inches the car forward, slowly at first, but the more he takes his foot off the brakes, the more they get out of the way.

Finally, we make our way out of the parking lot and he pulls onto the road. For the first time since I saw Owen standing in the bathroom, I can breathe.

“I’m so sorry.”

“You don’t have to keep apologizing.”

Hot tears flood my already burning eyes. “Yes, I do. If I’d been honest with you, this would’ve never happened. Any of it.”

Owen is quiet for a moment. Then he looks at me, his eyes soft. “If I hadn’t kicked you out, none of this would’ve happened.”

I stare down at my lap. “You had every right after what I did.”

“Not according to Summer,” he huffs. “I went to see her after you left.”

“Does she think I’m a terrible person, too?”

“No one thinks you’re a terrible person. Especially not Summer. She’s been where you are—pregnant and scared and alone.” His jaw clenches. “I shouldn’t have— I never should’ve pushed you out like that. I was just…”

“Scared?” I offer up. It seems to be all I’m capable of lately. Every decision in front of me, even the great ones, are terrifying.

He nods stiffly. “You have to understand, Callie. My desire to not be a shit dad goes way back. Almost every man in my life has been an example of whatnotto do. And I don’t want to be like that. It’s why I’m trying to take care of Summer. It’s why I want to protectyou.”

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