Page 53 of Inked Devotion

Brenna’s eyes widened as I answered the phone and tried not to sound like the world was crashing around my ears.

“Benjamin? We’re pregnant! It worked. We’re going to be moms. And you’re going to be the best uncle. How amazing is that? I’m just so excited for all of us. Michelle’s over here crying, or she would take the phone from me, and I just keep babbling. I’m going to have a baby. We’re going to have a baby. I love you so much. You have no idea how much this means to us—anything you need, ever. We’re here for you. I love you so much. Now I got to go. My wife is crying, and I’m pretty sure she wants to make out. We’re having a baby!”

“Congratulations,” I said, and then the phone went dead.

She hadn’t even let me say anything else; I wasn’t even sure she had heard me say anything at all.

I looked down at the phone and then at Brenna, as her eyes widened impossibly. “Your sperm is amazing.”

I burst out laughing. “Oh good. That would be something I put on my business card. Master of landscape architect, and—”

“Masturbator?” Brenna cut in, and we both burst out laughing.

“Good, we can laugh through this. As we figure out whatever the fuck we’re going to do.”

“Okay, we both work, we make plans, we say we’re sorry to your family, and then we tell both of our families in truth everything that’s going on.”

“And friends first,” I said, even though some part of me knew that that wasn’t exactly what I wanted. I didn’t know what I wanted, but I didn’t think friends would be the only answer.

I wasn’t sure, and I was afraid that I was going to make another mistake. I didn’t say anything.

“I don’t know if I’m ready for this, Benjamin,” she whispered.

I froze, looking down at her. “You’re the readiest person I know.”

“Maybe. Or maybe I am losing my mind.”

“I’m here, Brenna. For everything.”

She nodded, and without another word, I helped her to the front door. I wasn’t sure what there was to say. I was afraid that if I kept speaking, I would say too much. So instead, I let her walk away and told myself that this was for the best. Even though I wasn’t sure that was the case.

I had just gone back into the kitchen to clean up our mugs when someone banged on the door.

I opened it without thinking, figuring it had to be Brenna. “Did you forget something, Bren?” I asked, and dodged my twin’s fist.

“What the fuck?” I asked, scrambling back.

“That’s my question,” Lee said as he pulled Beckett back, and Archer moved in, pushing me away.

“Why are you pushing at me? Beckett just threw a punch at me. What the fuck, man?”

“Just in case,” Archer mumbled.

“What the hell? You got Brenna pregnant? What the hell is wrong with you? She’s our best friend. You can’t just fuck our best friend.”

I blinked at him. “It wasn’t like that, and watch your tone when you’re talking about Brenna.”

“Sure as hell sounds like it. A one-night stand on some seemingly mysterious road trip, and suddenly she comes back pregnant? We can do the fucking math, Benjamin. What is wrong with you? You know Brenna. She’s sweet and caring and a wonderful fucking person. You don’t just do that to her.”

“Okay. We were going to come over here to talk to you and figure out exactly what happened without your parents around,” Lee said, his voice calm. Probably too calm. “I see we may have come prematurely.”

“I have a joke about that, but I don’t think this is the right time,” Archer put in.

I cursed under my breath. “I’m shocked that Jacob isn’t here with you. Or Colton, or Marc. Hell, bring everybody here to kick my ass. Maybe I deserve it.”

“You sure as fuck do. It’s our Brenna, Benjamin. She was always off-limits.”

I narrowed my eyes, annoyance gone, rage taking over. “So you wanted her? You marked her as off-limits to yourself even though you wanted her, and now it’s a thing? What’s your deal, twin of mine?”

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