Page 51 of Trash the Dress

I drag my hand through my hair. “I wasn’t ghosting anyone. We’re on very delicate ground given both our pasts as you know, but we’re giving ‘us’ a shot. There’s something real between us. And not just the baby.”

“So, why didn’t y’all have dinner at your parents’ house to tell them if the baby is a boy or girl?” Brittney asks. “And can you tell us now?”

I grin. “We know, but no, I can’t tell you without Scarlett.”

She snaps her fingers. “Worth a try.”

I let out a sigh before telling them what happened. “Vivian showed up here the other night. And then she was at the house when Scarlett got there…apparently barely clothed.”

Brittney’s mouth falls open and Hawk’s eyes widen. To his credit, he isn’t judging because he and Brittney have dealt with their own pasts coming back to haunt them, especially his. It almost broke them up, but their love was worth fighting for and they made it out on the other side.

Dad stands stock-still, concern etched in the worry lines of his forehead. I know he’s wondering if I’m going to let her mess up my life now like I did before, or if I’m going to be the man Scarlett and our son deserve. My hope is it’s the latter.

“So, she just showed up…out of nowhere? Why?” Brittney asks in disbelief.

“She uh, she had tried to reach me by phone a few times before showing up, but I never answered. I never wanted to see or hear from her again,” I tell them.

Dad crosses his arms. “And Sam? Where is he in this picture?”

“Your guess is as good as mine. I don’t know and don’t want to. But back to Vivian…she expressed wanting me back and making a mistake in leaving. She said some nasty, cruel things to Scarlett. And being in her condition plus us already being on shaky ground…she left that night and said she needed some space.”

Brittney glances at Hawk. He nods at her as if passing some unspoken message between them. “Don’t give her too much time, Zander. She’ll think you don’t care. I get where she’s coming from, but in her condition, she needs you more than ever. There are some things only the man you created a new little life with can help with or understand.”

“Unless…you don’t want Vivian back, do you?” Dad asks.

“Hell no, Dad. You and Mom know more than anyone what Sam and Vivian’s betrayal did to me. I made that clear when she came back the second time to the house.”

“She came back?” Hawk asks this time. “Z, you may have a problem. This ex-fiancée of yours saw your pregnant girlfriend, had to know y’all live together by seeing her stuff there, and I’m sure pictures of her throughout the house. And she still didn’t give up? She may be back several times to try and break you and Scarlett apart. You better be careful and make sure Scarlett is sure of your love for her and confident in your relationship,” he says.

“She told me when I made her leave that she wasn’t giving up,” I admit. “But what can she really do if Scarlett and I are solid in our relationship?”

“People can manipulate situations and make them seem like something they’re not. You remember what Hawk and I went through, and all because of someone else’s lies. Luckily, we figured it out, and loved each other too much to give up, but we have tons of history too. Don’t give Vivian an inch or she’ll take a mile and ruin your happiness,” Brittney says.

“They’re right, son. You need to be careful and not just write this off. If there’s a way in, even a tiny one, a woman like that will find and use it before destroying everything else to get to her goal. If you love Scarlett and want this baby and this new life with her, you had better hold it with both hands and both eyes wide open. You can never be guilty of too much protection when hearts are involved.”

“I hear all of you loud and clear. I have no plans to let Vivian, or anyone else for that matter, sabotage my relationship with Scarlett or our baby,” I tell them.

“Tell Scarlett I’m a phone call away if she wants to talk to someone who’s been through what she’s going through with pregnancy stuff. Also, with crazy ex-fiancées too,” Brittney says before turning back to Dad, no doubt asking for her favorite burger and “songbird milkshake” before they leave.

Hawk comes up to me with a knowing look on his face. “You probably already know, but the hormones are all over the place during pregnancy, so is the sex drive. That’s good for both of you, since that helps form a connection physically. But she’s going to need you all in, trust me. Don’t be afraid and hold back on her. If you feel it, tell her. And all the other outside stuff…just be careful. Focus on her and the baby. Protect them at all costs. You got this. We’re happy for you.”

“Thanks, man. I appreciate it. By the way, when is Brittney wanting to come back and sing some here?” I ask.

He glances over at his wife and daughter, and there’s no mistaking his love for them. “She’ll be back soon. She’s beenwriting some new songs. She loves being a mama, but she wants to fulfill her musical passion too. She’s working on trying to find the right balance.”

“Well, no rush, but I know the regulars miss her voice. I’m sure she’ll find a way to balance it all. She’s a fighter,” I tell him.

He smiles in her direction. “That she is,” he says.

I know I’ll fight for Scarlett. I meant it when I told her sometimes when you know, you just know. She’s my happiness—her and this family we’re starting.

I just hope she’ll fight for me in return. Because I can’t be in a one-sided relationship.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

Scarlett

“Welcome to Barnette’s B and B.” Dr. Leah Barnette doesn’t finish what else she was going to say, but instead smiles when she sees me. “Scarlett, how are you?” she asks as she comes around the front desk to hug me.

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