Page 68 of The Secrets We Share

“Stacey!” I yell, not seeing her in the kitchen or living room as I walk into the open space.

She doesn’t answer, and I can’t hear anything else in the apartment. It’s quiet. Too quiet. She must be here. There’s no way she’d tell me to rush over, then pick up and leave. I slam to a halt at her bedroom door, scanning the messy room for the blonde bombshell.

My eyes land on the en suite bathroom door cracked open. Soft whimpers break past my heavy breaths, pushing me forward hesitantly.

“Stace? Babe, I’m here,” I call out again, a little softer, feeling the energy shift as I push the door open.

My beautiful best friend is a heap on the floor, her back against the giant self-standing bathtub, hands in her hair pulling at the roots. Red-rimmed eyes lift and meet mine in the doorway.

“Keira,” she calls out on a choked sob.

I move on instinct, falling by her side on the floor and drag her into me. It’s a ridiculous sight with my tiny body holding her lengthy one, but she collapses against me the second my arms wrap around her shoulders.

“What the actual hell is going on?” I ask as soon as her breathing comes under control.

“I fucked up. He’s going to kill me.”

“First off, no one’s going to kill you. They’ll have to go through me first. But you have to give me more than that, babe. What’s going on?”

Her hand disappears into her lap, and a little white stick pulls free. She rests it on her knees between us.

“Oh,” I say, shocked. The “shit” that comes next is only mouthed because I know she doesn’t need to hear it from me when her mind’s already there.

“This is why you didn’t want me to tell him.”

She nods, resting her head on her arms wrapped around her knees. “This wasn’t supposed to happen. I’m too young. Life’s too crazy. And he’s—Well, he’s James. We’re not even dating,” she rambles, getting the jumbled thoughts in her mind out.

“Uhm… does he know you think the two of you aren’t dating? Because he’s like Harkin. He decided you were his the moment you started sleeping together, regardless of if you were on the same page. Also, you should expect both of them to show up at any minute. I kind of left in a hurry and didn’t exactly tell Harkin what I was doing. You know how he is.”

“I can’t deal with him right now. You have to stop him.”

The words fall from her lips, and at the same time, a pounding starts at the other end of the apartment.

“He doesn’t have a key?” I ask, genuinely surprised.

Her broken laughter lightens the mood slightly between us. “Not from me. But I wouldn’t be surprised if he has one tucked away. He’s just smart enough not to use it right now.”

Interesting. Locked door or not, it’s not likely to keep Harkin out for much longer. I can guess the only reason the door’s still on its hinges is because it’s Stacey’s place.

I jump to my feet, looking down at the devastation written all over her puffy face. “If I open that door, you know I can’t keep him away from you without bodily harm to both of us. I’m willing to try, though. For you, I’d do that.”

“You’re so stupid.” She laughs, grabbing the pregnancy test and reaching her hands up for me to help her off the ground.

I leave the one with her pee stick free and heft her into my arms for one last quick squeeze before heading out to the front door. Stace stays behind in her bedroom, safe for a few moments longer.

The guys tumble in through the front door as soon as I pull it open. Harkin’s eyes find mine, taking stock of my body from head to toe. A quick flash of relief passes before they tighten with anger. I ignore the man plotting my ways of punishment and grab James’s arm in a tight squeeze before he can push past me to look for Stacey.

“If you hurt her, I will kill you, and I’ll use those family connections to hide your body.”

His eyebrows pull down in confusion, but he quickly nods before shaking me off. Then he disappears down the hall, and I draw in a deep, calming breath before turning to my own raging bull.

“I’m sorry,” I throw out before he can reprimand me. I wait on bated breath for his ire to come. Instead, strong arms pull me tightly to his chest.

“I should paddle your ass black and blue, sweetness,” he whispers into my hair. “But I know she needed you.”

I shove against him so there’s enough space for me to look up into his softened gaze. “You do?”

“James told me.”

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