Page 94 of Power Play

It doesn’t. We could’ve easily continued seeing each other without moving in together. That’s probably why it was so hard for me to believe Clay.

“Then why are you still talking to Jessie?” I plead. “You told me she was out of your life.”

Eli climbs on the bed and pulls me to him. I straddle his legs, and he snakes his hands around my waist and holds me close. “She is out of my life, but she’s still around because she helps with the band. She’s Malcolm’s little sister, and he’s my fucking drummer. That’s the reason I’m still talking to her.”

“Really?” I lean away, my gaze coasting over his face. I’m in love with Eli, and I desperately want to believe him. I want us to work.

He smiles, and his dimples show up on his cheeks. “Really. I need you. Only you. I don’t fucking care about anyone else.”

“Promise?”

“I swear, baby.” He hugs me tight, hiding his face in my neck. “I’ll need to punish you, though. You shouldn’t have listened to your ex. He was jealous. He wants to break us up so he can have you back.”

“I’m with you,” I whisper, closing my eyes and enjoying his closeness. “You can do whatever you want.”

Everything else dissipates into the background. It’s Eli and me, and no one else.

One month later, September

I siton the couch in Eli’s living room. My gaze is glued to the table, at the numerous pregnancy tests spread out across the surface.It can’t be true!I want to scream. But at least five pregnancy tests beg to differ.

I’m pregnant.

Eli is going to be a dad.

We’re going to be parents.

Sure, it’s not what I planned. Not what I had in mind for my future. But why do I feel so fucking doomed? As if this is the worst thing that could’ve happened to me.

I glance to my left and pick up my phone. I quickly unlock it, find his last text where he again was asking me about my talk with Eli, the question I continuously ignored, and type my message. It takes me about thirty minutes to actually come up with something decent.

Me:

I’m sorry, Clay. I can’t come to Chicago, and I can’t be with you. I love Eli.

Sent.

Tossing my phone back onto the couch, an avalanche of worries slams into me. I hide my face in my hands. God, I hope I made the right decision.

I hope Clay can forgive me.

Chapter 32

You’ve Got to Be Kidding Me

CLAY

Now, November

“Hey.”I wave at Michael. The kid knits his eyebrows together, halting in his tracks. Then a wide grin splits his lips, and he races over to me. His sports bag swings back and forth, his hockey stick in his hand.

“Hi, Clay.” He slams into me and wraps his arms around my middle. “Mom and Dad didn’t tell me you’d be picking me up.”

“It was a spontaneous decision.” I smile at him, patting him on his back.

The real reason I’m here is definitely not for him to know. Colt is currently with Roman at the hospital; he was called there as his emergency contact. Our friend crashed his motorcycle, and now the doctors are running tests to make sure he’s all right and nothing is broken. With how optimistic Colt sounded on the phone a few minutes ago, I think Roman is okay. At least, I hope so. He’s a great guy.

“I’m glad you’re here,” Michael tells me. “Maybe next time you can play with us.”

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