Page 102 of Crazy Imperfect Hearts

“Or perhaps it’s because Ms. Lucas is pregnant with your child.”

The world falls silent. There’s no rustling of fall leaves. No humming of streetlights. No sound whatsoever. With the exception of my pounding heart.

One look at Lucas has me knowing he feels exactly the same way. He composes himself much more quickly than I do, however, and takes a step toward her. “Get the fuck out of—”

“Mr. Montana, we can stand out here shouting about your illegitimate child, or you can invite me up to your apartment where we can have a conversation.”

“You’re crazy, lady,” he says, turning and taking my elbow and leading me to the door.

“I’ve had you followed,” Sylvia says. “I know about the appointments, the back-door entrances to the OB’s office, the secret meetings here at your apartment. I also know that nobody in this town has a clue.” She holds up her phone, showing us a photo of us walking in the woods. She swipes to a photo of him pulling me through the back door of this very building. Another shows him being greeted by Dr. Russo at the rear entrance.

“Shall I go on? The story is going to run, Mr. Montana. But if you give me thirty minutes, I might just let you convince me to tell your side, even though from here, the story I could make up seems so much juicier.” She looks between the two of us. “What’s it going to be?”

Lucas shuts his eyes and shakes his head. Then he looks at me, guilt written all over him. He walks to the door and holds it open. “Thirty minutes,” he says.

Sylvia and I follow him inside.

Chapter Thirty-five

Lucas

I have to park down the street due to the number of cars lining the cul-de-sac. Regan and I barely said two words to each other on the way here. What is there to say really? We agreed last night to tell them only what we told the reporter. Nothing more. Nothing less.

I race around the car, open her door, and help her out. I scan the cars as we walk up the sidewalk toward Blake’s house. Familiar cars owned by family and friends.

At the door, I reach over and squeeze her hand. “It’s going to be okay.”

“That’s easy for you to say. You’re used to being gossiped about.”

Before I can ring the bell, Blake’s wife, Ellie, opens the door. She looks a bit confused that Regan and I are standing together—proof my brother really has been keeping our secret.

“Come in,” she signs.

“Thank you,” I say and sign back. “Nice to see you.”

“Hi, Ellie,” Regan signs. “How are you?”

The two women have a short conversation in ASL. Sometimes I forget Regan knows it. And as I watch them sign, I realize it’s one more reason I’m drawn to her. She fits. With me. With my family.

“You ready for this?” Dallas says, coming over to greet me.

“I’m not sure. But we don’t have a choice. Thanks for helping put this together on such short notice.”

Blake’s house is abuzz with conversation. Nobody seems particularly interested when I walk into the room. Nobody knows why they’re here. Everyone close to me is standing in thisroom. My family. Close friends. Most of the Calloways. There must be at least three dozen people.

Dallas and Blake arranged this emergency gathering after Sylvia gave us forty-eight hours to tell everyone before the story comes out.

Mom walks over. “Do you have any idea what this is all about? Nobody seems to know anything, and your brothers are being all secretive.”

Regan stares at me from ten feet away.

I nod. “Yeah. I do. And you’ll know in about two minutes.”

“Oh, Lucas… you aren’t quitting the business, are you?”

“It’s nothing like that. I promise.” I kiss her cheek. “Just please be happy for me,” I say, then walk over and stand in front of Blake and Ellie’s massive fireplace—as good a spot as any to announce our news.

“Thank you all for coming,” I say loudly.

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