Page 43 of Agony of Our Regret

“Or me?” Sky frowned.

“Why?” Vince added on.

Luca pulled me impossibly closer to his side. “You three abandoned her. She went to see each of you, and yet she came home alone.” He let that sink in before continuing. “Vince, you haven’t called since she got back. Only texts.”

He paused and glared at the others.

“You two have been in and out of service and off on your own adventures, acting like you have no responsibilities or cares. Why would she think she could rely on you?”

I hadn’t said any of that to him, but he’d picked up on the truth of the situation.

“She should have told––”

Gavin cut off Vince. “She doesn’t owe any of you anything. Luca and I are stepping up. Not because we feel obligated. We’re here because it’s what wewant.”

My heart swelled at his declaration. I knew it, but hearing it right now was perfect.

“How far along?” Sky asked.

“Thirteen weeks,” Luca answered, proving he was involved and informed.

“And you’ve been sick?” Sky stared me down.

“Only since the accident. It seemed to flip a switch, finding out. I was just fine until then.”

“So, you’ve known for three weeks?” Noah clarified.

“Yeah, it still doesn’t quite feel real,” I admitted.

“I thought you were on the pill.” Vince rubbed the back of his head.

“I was. I took it every day when the alarm on my phone reminded me, but when I was traveling around, I didn’t adjust it to always be twenty-four hours apart. Since my birth control was pretty sensitive, that was enough to make it less effective.”

“Shit.” Noah blew out a breath. “I’m sorry.”

“You’re sorry?” Gavin questioned.

“I'm sorry I wasn’t here when you found out. Or when you’ve been sick. I’m sorry I missed out on so much. Not just this, but so much of your life.”

I wasn’t sure what to say. They were pretty words offered in a highly emotional moment. He might not mean them, not in the way I wanted him to.

“I stayed too long,” Sky admitted. “It should have only been a couple of weeks.”

I didn’t argue.

“That’s on me.” Noah’s frown deepened. “I wanted to show him so much, but we’ve been talking a lot. I realize not everything has to happen now. We can always go back. You and I can go back.”

“Not with a baby, idiot.” Sky smacked his shoulder.

“I’m not saying in the next year, but in time. We can go. I can show you my favorite places, and we can discover new ones together.”

I’d love that, but I wasn’t ready to believe him.

Vince had been too quiet. I slowly met my eyes.

“I’m so sorry.” His voice broke, and he blinked once before tears streamed down his cheeks. “I’m so fucking sorry.”

He shifted toward me, and I stepped out of Luca’s arms to wrap mine around Vince’s waist. Despite his size, it felt like I was holding him. I moved us to the foot of the bed and sat next to him, holding him and letting him cry.

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