Page 98 of Crazy Imperfect Hearts

“Different. I know.”

“How did this happen? Are you dating? I mean, of all the people in this town, she’sthelastperson I’d have guessed.”

I snort. “Yeah, me too.”

“So it was an accident. A one-night thing? Have you told Mom and Dad?”

“No. No. And no. It was intentional.”

She swallows. “Youtriedto get her pregnant? So, you’re together? Then why all the cloak and dagger?”

“We’re not together. She wanted a kid. I wanted a kid. It just made sense.”

“Youwant a kid? Since when?”

“It’s a long story. But yeah, I want a kid. I’m serious about you not saying anything, Allie. She hasn’t told anyone, not even Maddie and Ava.”

“Why not?”

“At first, she didn’t tell them because she knew they’d try to talk her out of it. Now, well, she just doesn’t want to be the newest Calloway Creek gossip fodder.”

“But she can’t hide it forever.”

“We know that. We just want a little more time.”

She narrows her eyes. “What’s she getting out of this? Did she talk you into this for your money?”

“She’s not like that. She didn’t even want to accept the child support recommended by our lawyer.”

“You have alawyer?What, did you sign some pre-baby contract that says what days you’ll each get with him and shit like that?”

“Actually, yes.”

Dallas and Blake watch our back and forth like a tennis match, stuffing their faces with cheeseburgers while enjoying the entertainment. Me—I push away my food. I’m not hungry.

I tell Allie everything. Well, noteverything. I leave out the part that makes me look like a douchebag when I wanted hookups just to make Regan come. I also leave out the minor detail that, oh yeah, I’m in love with her.

“She should be able to hide it better than most,” Allie says, taking a bite of my untouched burger. “Remember when Lily Knutson got knocked up? She’s about Regan’s size and she was able to hide it the entire time. Nobody knew she was pregnant until she left the hospital with a newborn. Sheesh! If that whole thing wasn’t a scandal.”

I remember that. It was about seven years ago when Lily Knutson and Doug Peters—both married at the time, andnotto each other—became parents.

“We’re not going to take it that far,” I say. “I think once she tells Maddie and Ava, and maybe Ryder, she’ll be ready to tell everyone.” I point a finger at her. “If I hear even one rumor before then, I’ll know it was you.”

She holds up her hands innocently. “I’mnotgoing to blab.” She motions to my meal. “Are you going to eat the rest of that? Because I’m starving.”

I push it toward her. “Go ahead.”

“Um, brother?” Blake says, looking behind me. “Not to make a bad situation worse, but your ex is on TV again.”

I rotate for a better position and see a new photo of Lissa and the senator’s son. Theirweddingphoto. I stare at it for a second when it hits me—I have no regrets. She got her happily ever after. The one she deserves. I turn back around, unaffected. “Good for her. I hope she’s happy.”

Allie stares at me through slitted eyes, chewing her food. Then her eyes fly wide open. “Oh. My. God. You love her!” she whisper-shouts. “You love Regan.”

I close my eyes, lean back, and try to sink into the booth. I’m not ready to have this conversation again. Because every time I do, I lose another piece of my heart.

Chapter Thirty-four

Regan

---