Page 104 of Hook Up

“Pfft.”

“I’m serious. If you love her that much, don’t walk away without a fight.”

“You think I’m waiting until after the season ends? No way, man. I can barely make it through a day without her. I’d never survive the next few months.” Sitting forward, I pull the annulment paperwork from my pocket. “Which is why I have a job for you.”

Greg shakes his head, a grin coloring his features. “Does this involve a plane ride back to New York?”

Smiling, I down the rest of my glass with a flourish. “It sure as hell does.”

Chapter 18

Greer

Staring at my reflection, I barely recognize the woman looking back at me. The light went out when I left Ryder, leaving a shell in its stead. With a sigh, I run my hand over my abdomen, wondering how I got into this mess and how in the world I’ll ever get out.

Step one, get a job. Or three. I’m broke and having to borrow a few hundred dollars off my mother while crashing on her couch is an all-time low for me. Thankfully, I have an interview later today, although I doubt I’ll be able to concentrate. Ryder’s race, his inaugural run after his life-threatening injury, is tomorrow afternoon in California.

Every sporting channel is aflutter with excitement over his return. My heart is filled with anticipatory dread that the man I love will get hurt again. Such different priorities between fans and family.

Then there are the photos of Ryder with his arms around adoring fans, basking in the glory he’s rightfully earned. It’s ironic, but the photos somewhat soothe the pain of our separation.

Ryder bounced right back, as if nothing ever happened.

My heart will take a lot longer to recover.

Walking into the living room, I stop dead in my tracks. There, with coffee and a shit-eating grin, stands my brother.

“Greg? What are you doing here?”

“Visiting my sad sop of a sister,” he replies, handing me a coffee. “Here’s some caffeine to soothe the savage beast.”

With a shake of my head, I decline his offering. “Thanks, but I’m off caffeine.”

The grin widens, complete with Greg’s infamous head tilt. “Jillian quit caffeine when she found out she was pregnant.”

“Good to know.” I’m not having this conversation. Not here and definitely not now.

Apparently, Greg has other ideas. “You’re pregnant.” It’s not a question, rather a declaration. One I can’t deny.

My mother joins us in the living room, pulling her son into a hug. “She is, but she won’t admit it.”

With a grunt, I throw up my hands in resignation. “Fine. I’m pregnant, okay? Are you two happy now? Can I return to being a sad sop?”

Greg shakes his head. He’s not letting me off that easily. “No can do. Does Ryder know?”

I groan, flopping back against the couch. “Not yet.”

“Gigi—”

“Don’t Gigi me. I’m going to tell him, Greg. I figured I’d wait until after the season ends.”

“That’s not for a few months. You’ll pop out the kid before then.” Greg sits next to me, a stern expression coloring his face. “He deserves to know.”

“Relax. I would never keep this information—or his child—from him. I don’t even know how he’ll take the news, considering our current situation.” It figures. For most people, discovering you’re pregnant is the greatest news on the planet, complete with elation and celebration. For me, it’s yet another situation I have to figure out, with limited funds and an uncertain future.

Like I told Ryder, I knew I’d wake up from the fairytale and find it all to be a dream.

“About that.” Greg pulls a manila envelope from his bag, tossing it on my lap.

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