Page 19 of Inked Craving

“I know I’m pregnant, Colton. I have taken multiple tests, including one from a doctor. I can send them all to you if you want. But yes, I’m pregnant.”

There was a long pause, and I nearly screamed.

“And it’s mine? Are you sure?”

“Are you kidding me right now? You’re serious. You’re actually seriously asking me that question.”

Before I could say anything else, Lee grabbed the phone before Colton could repeat his question or dig the hole any deeper. “Get your head out of your ass and figure out what’s going on, and she’ll call you back. But don’t you dare question her like that again.”

“Oh, Lee,” Colton said. “I’m so glad you’re there. You’re good for her. She needs a friend.”

Lee just blinked at me and then hung up the phone. He set it down on the counter and then ran his hands through his hair.

“Oh my God,” I whispered.

“Seriously,” he growled.

“I can’t... What just happened? How did he...? How was I so stupid to be with someone that stupid? Was he always that dumb? Why didn’t you guys tell me?”

Lee just blinked at me as if coming out of a trance. Something I truly wanted to do, as well. “Paige. He’s like a fucking puppy. He didn’t even think I was the one who was fucking you. He thought I was just your friend. First, he thought you were fucking someone else. Then he questioned if the baby was his. And as soon as he heard my voice, he immediately assumed I was your friend. He didn’t think the baby was mine. He just presumed that we were just so sweet and happy that I would clean up his fucking mess. Not that this is a mess, because I’m not calling your baby one, but dear God, what an idiot.”

I looked at him then, my mind a little slow as I pieced that together. “That’s what you’re worried about?”

“Not fully, but hell. He thought the baby wasn’t his for a minute, and then as soon as I got on the phone, he immediately assumed I was your friend. I just don’t get it. What the hell is in between that guy’s ears?”

“I don’t know. What the hell is happening? What did I see in him?”

I began to pace, then Lee took my hand and pulled me to him. “I don’t know what you saw in him, but it seems he’s happy enough moving on, even though this sort of threw a big wrench. But hell, Paige. You don’t need him. You can do this on your own.” The manic look in his eyes surprised me, but I didn’t say anything. I wasn’t sure Icouldsay anything.

“I don’t know what to do,” I whispered.

“I’m here, Paige. Let me help.” He looked as surprised by the words as I did.

“What?” I whispered.

“I don’t know, Paige. But you know your family is too much right now. Even if they mean well and are my best friends, you walked away from that house because it was too much for you at that moment. And I get it. I get that watching them live their lives with everything going on and how wonderful they are can be a lot. I’ve got work. That’s it. So, let me help. You clearly can’t talk to Colton about this.” He ran his hands through his hair and began to pace once more.

“Are you serious right now?”

“I am. Let me help. I’ll be your labor partner or whatever they call it. When I’m not working, I’ll be here for you. We both know that your family is busy. And that you have this weird thing when it comes to them.”

“Weird,” I growled, hating that he saw me so well.

“It’s true. So, let me help. I have no idea why I’m offering, other than we’re friends. And Colton pisses me off. Let me be here.”

I looked at him then, wondering if I had been the one to lose my mind much like Colton had, and if Lee was doing the same.

“You know what? Why the fuck not? I’m already doing things out of any semblance of order. Why not have my brother’s best friend help me as my labor coach?”

“Good. We can figure out exactly what the hell that means later.”

I looked at him and burst out laughing before he wrapped his arms around me, and I hugged him tightly. There were no tears. This farce that was my life couldn’t get any stranger. Why not lean on Lee?

At least, for the moment.

I could ignore the twinge inside that I had thought long buried.

It’d be good for everybody if I never thought about that twinge again.

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