Page 96 of The Drummer's Heart

I nodded. “I’ve felt guilty not being the type of father Christian deserves, and now that guilt is about to double. Maybe I need to reassess my priorities.”

“There’s no perfect situation here. If you leave your career,I’llbe the one feeling guilty. I don’t think that’s the answer. But you know what?”

“What?”

“You’re this baby’s daddy, Atticus. Nothing will change that, no matter what you’re doing with your career or otherwise.”

I smiled, but her support didn’t change the truth. “I have some decisions to make. Christian is still young enough that I can change the trajectory of his memories of me. And he’s about to have a sibling. Our baby needs me. Both my kids need me.”

In the midst of my mini panic attack, Nicole’s phone rang. She held one finger up as she answered. Within a few seconds, her face changed. She covered her mouth.

What’s happening?

“Oh my God,” she murmured.Then she started to cry.

Fuck. Did they find something wrong with the baby after the fact on the ultrasound? “What’s wrong?” I pleaded.

She looked white as a ghost. “Mimi died.”

CHAPTER 33

NICOLE

Delirious Jones canceled the first three shows of their tour so Atticus could accompany me to New Jersey. They rescheduled those cities on the back end.

I’d told Atticus he didn’t have to come for Mimi’s services, but he wouldn’t hear of it. He insisted that there was nothing more important than being there for me, and he’d indeed stood by my side throughout Mimi’s wake and funeral.

My mother, who’d flown in from Florida, was understandably surprised to see Atticus with me. She knew he’d come to stay with me and Mimi here, but I hadn’t told her he and I had remained in touch since then. And I’d also told her nothing about the pregnancy because I only knew myself right before I flew out to California, and I’d wanted Atticus to be the first one I told.

After a whirlwind three days, it was now the morning after the funeral, and Atticus, my mother, and I were cleaning out Mimi’s little house, getting it ready to put on the market. Mom was eager to get as much done as possible while she was still in town. She said she needed my opinion on what I wanted to keep versus what should be donated.

Atticus was out getting coffee when my mother accosted me in Mimi’s kitchen. “So what’s the deal with Atticus?” she asked. “You two seemed very affectionate at the service.”

“What do you mean?” My cheeks burned.

“What do I mean? He had his hand on your back. I saw him kiss you multiple times on the top of your head...”

It had been a long few days, and I didn’t feel like explaining everything right now. But this was likely the last time I’d see my mother for a while. I needed to tell her about the pregnancy. My loose black dress had done its job not giving anything away, but might as well just rip the Band-Aid off.

“I’m pregnant,” I blurted.

My mother jumped back a little. “What?”

Unfortunately, Atticus walked in with our coffees at that very moment. Horrible timing.

“I got some donuts, too, if you—” He paused, likely sensing tension in the air.

“I just told my mother about the baby.”

“Oh.” He put the tray of coffees down. “Should I leave so you can talk?”

My mother held out her hand. “No, you need to stay, Atticus. I’m assuming you’re the father?”

He turned to me. “You haven’t gotten very far in the conversation, I take it.”

“He is, Mom.”

She placed her hand on her chest. “When did this happen?”

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