Page 28 of This Means War

“There you go,” I try to sound calm, but my voice shakes. “Do your DNA test if you want. I’m going back to Jamie’s. Call me when you’ve pulled your head out of your butt.” Without waiting for his reply, I rush out of the kitchen.

“Lydia!” he calls after me, but I don’t stop. I get in my car and back out of the driveway, pulling out onto his street, half-blinded by tears.

It’s only when I get on the highway that I realizewhat I’ve done. I gave himmyDNA.Obviously,these babies are mine. A second round of humiliation hits me. I acted impetuously, like I always do, and now I look like a complete idiot.

It’s fine, I try to assure myself; he’ll get that I was just trying to make a statement, show him what I think of his dad’s allegations.

My phone starts ringing from its spot on the passenger seat. I spot Cole’s name and ignore it. He calls back two more times, but I continue to ignore him. Lights flash in my rearview mirror, and a honk sounds. Confused, I look back and make-out a truck that looks like Cole’s behind me. He came after me?

My phone rings again, and this time I answer.

“Lydia, I’m behind you. Can you pull over?”

I eye the green sign that tells me the next exit is a mile ahead. “Why?”

“Because, I want to talk to you. I want you to come home.”

My heart stutters in my chest. Home.

“Lydia?”

“I’m here,” I gulp, indecision clawing at me.

“Will you stop?”

The exit is getting closer. I have to make a decision. “Fine,” I relent. I merge into the exit lane and slow the car as I follow the loop around to a light. There’s a gas station right there, and I pull into it. Cole parks his truck next to mine, then hops out. He walks around to my door and stands there gazing down at me, something fierce in his eyes.

Shakily, I roll down my window, needing theseparation of the door between us. “You wanted to talk,” I say.

Cole shakes his head, then in one motion, puts his hand in the window, flips up the locks, opens my door, and pulls me out. He doesn’t let go of my hand as he says his next words.

“Lydia, I’m not doing a DNA test. I believe you.” He squeezes my hands. “Of course, I believe you.”

Tears shine in my eyes. “Really?”

“Lydia, do you really think I would’ve married you if I didn’t know for sure that I was the father of those babies you’re carrying? Do you really think Tom didn’t ask me the same questions my dad asked?”

I stare at him in wonder. He trusts me. “Then why did you hesitate when he told you to get a test done?”

Cole raises an eyebrow. “I didn’t hesitate, I was just so livid at first that I couldn’t get the words out. When I finally got control of myself, I told them to leave.”

“You what?” I gasp.

“I told them to leave,” Cole says with a shrug.

“I can’t believe it. They must be so angry.”

“Probably,” Cole agrees. “But they’ll never do anything about it. They care too much about maintaining their happy family image. Besides,” he gives me a wicked grin, “I couldn’t have them spending the night in the room I specially designed for you.”

I slug him in the shoulder. “Funny.” I studiously ignore the part of me that feels disappointed I won’tbe sharing Cole’s bed with him tonight. It’s for the best, I tell myself. Don’t be weird.

“So you’ll come home?” he asks.

I nod. “I’ll come home.”

We hop back in our cars, and Cole follows me back to the house.

He holds the door for me to go inside, and I feel a swell of affection for him. He really came through for me today. I lead the way through the house, flipping on the hallway lights as we go.

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