Page 13 of Inked Craving

I was grateful for that. Everyone stood in place as if waiting for the dam to break, and I wasn’t sure what else to do or say to make it any less awkward.

“I just found out. I don’t know what I’m going to do, other than I’m having this baby. I know there are a thousand steps and details in front of me, and I’ll get there, only I need a moment to take it all in. However, I need to tell Colton first. Then I can make some decisions. I just wanted to let you know and not wait or keep secrets for too long. I’m sorry.”

Lee cursed under his breath. “Don’t be fucking sorry,” he whispered.

“You knew?” Archer asked and then shook his head. “Sorry. It doesn’t even matter if he knew first. I’m glad that you had a friend for this.” And then Archer held me close, so tight I could barely breathe, and everyone was asking so many questions at once that I couldn’t even tell who was speaking.

“Colton hasn’t called you back?”

“How far along are you?”

“Are you feeling sick?”

“Have you seen the doctor?”

“I’m going to fucking castrate Colton. I promised I would once, and I’ll do it.”

I looked up at Annabelle at her words, a watery laugh escaping my lips. “No castration.”

“Is castration a thing in your family?” Lee asked as he leaned in, his lips pressed against my ear.

“Not really. Although it might be now,” I teased, grateful for his presence. Because he was making me laugh and smile, and all I wanted to do was run. I felt like my family was so disappointed in me, even though it didn’t look like it on their faces. They were worried for me, and yet it felt as if I were doing something wrong. That I had broken their trust or made a mistake. I didn’t know. I knew this was possibly all in my mind, but I just needed to focus and get through the next few moments without breaking down.

I looked at them all and swallowed hard. “I’m pregnant. I don’t know what I’m doing. And I need to go.”

And before they could say anything, I turned on my heel and ran, tugging out of Lee’s grip as he tried to pull me back. I was already at my car by the time Annabelle caught up to me.

“I just... I need a minute.”

“We love you.”

My heart hurt so much it was hard for me to keep standing. “I know you do, Annabelle. I know.”

“We all love you. They would all be out here with me, but we didn’t want to overwhelm you, and I sort of pushed my way to the front. Although Lee almost tackled me. I’m pretty sure it was only because I handed him a baby that he didn’t pull me away completely.”

There was a questioning look in her gaze, and I shook my head. “Lee was just there when I needed to break.” I told her about the rain, of finding out, and then Annabelle held me and kissed my temple. “We love you, Paige. We’ve got this.”

“You don’t need to have this,” I said as I pulled away. “You have your families—all of you do. I don’t have anyone. I thought I had Colton once, and I was wrong. So wrong. I was so naïve. I don’t have anyone but this baby now, and it doesn’t even feel real yet. But here I am. I’m going to figure this out. And I don’t want the family to think that this is their burden or that they have to put down everything to help me. I’m not a baby anymore. You all have these wonderful families around you that you need to focus on. I can do this, Annabelle. I promise.” I didn’t know if I was lying, but I knew I needed to be alone for the time being so I could find the strength to be the person my baby needed.

I squeezed Annabelle’s hand and then moved away, and she let me. Her eyes were wide, and I couldn’t read her face. I used to always be able to read the emotions on her face.

But no longer.

And so, I got in my car, turned on the engine, and left, knowing that I needed to do this on my own.

I needed to do one thing independently and not rely on my family as I did for everything else.

At least, I needed to try.

ChapterFour

Lee

“Lee?” Beckett spoke from my side, and I turned to him, running my hands through my hair.

“Hey there.”

“Is Paige okay?” My friend’s words were soft, hesitant, and it surprised me that he was askingmeabout Paige. Then again, they’d all just been thrown for a loop, and I at least had a couple of days’ notice to get my head on straight.

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