Page 70 of Single Chance

I’d never been so torn in my life. I wanted to hug Sam and assure her everything would be okay. I ached to comfort Chance and remind him this was the reaction we’d expected and that she’d come around. And there was a big part of me that itchedto grab my bag, run away from the turmoil and bacon odor, and bury my head.

“Let’s sit in the family room,” Chance said.

“I have school,” Sam said, her tone conveying she’d prefer to escape as well.

“Okay. I’ll drive you there in five minutes and call in for you so they don’t mark you late. This isnothow I wanted to do this, but I obviously can’t control a damn thing.” He stepped into the kitchen and turned on the exhaust fan above the stove. “Maybe that’ll help,” he said to me.

That simple, thoughtful gesture put me on the verge of tears. I fought to hide them. The last thing Sam needed to witness right now was me turning into an emotional mess. “Thanks,” I managed as I leaned against the wall, more in the hall than the kitchen.

“I don’t want to miss English,” Sam snapped impatiently.

Chance leaned against the cabinets, crossing his arms, looking weary. “Rowan is pregnant. Yes, I’m the father. We didn’t plan this, obviously.”

“God, how embarrassing,” Sam muttered. “So you moved your girlfriend in and lied to me? Pretended she’s a coworker?”

“I do work at the brewery,” I said, feeling helpless, knowing this conversation was ultimately Chance’s domain but still wanting to soothe both of them. “And I’m not your dad’s girlfriend.”

“Better yet,” Sam said with an exaggerated laugh, her gaze aimed at Chance. “So you had a one-night stand, got a girl pregnant, and moved her in?”

My brows shot up, because yeah, that was pretty much spot on, and it didn’t sound great, particularly from Sam’s perspective.

Chance’s jaw was clenched tight, his eyes closed. I had to fight not to reach out to him.

“Rowan and I are adults. We’ve done nothing wrong. We took a risk, and now we’re handling the consequences.”

“Are you getting married?” Sam asked.

“No. We’re planning to co-parent,” Chance said.

“So Rowan’s living here permanently?”

“Only until I can get my feet under me and find a place of my own,” I said. “I’m sorry our actions are affecting you, Sam. Your dad’s first concern all along has been you and your feelings.”

Sam scoffed. “Obviously not if he was out having a one-night stand.”

“Like I said, we’re adults, Sam. Rowan and I have a lot to figure out,” Chance said. “I’m sorry you found out the way you did.”

“I need to get to school.” She hurried past me, out of the house.

I spotted a textbook on the counter. “Does she need this?”

“That’s why we came back.” Chance took it from me. “I’m sorry your morning is shit, Rowan.”

The understatement of that made my lips flicker upward. “I’m sorry I gave away our news prematurely.”

He wrapped me in an unexpected hug. “We’ll stop buying bacon for a while.”

That made me laugh. “Least of our problems.” I sobered. “Go to your daughter. She needs you. I’m a big girl…soon to get bigger.”

“I don’t think Sam wants me anywhere near her right now, but I do need to get her to school. Will you be okay? Do you need to stay home?”

I soaked in his care and concern, letting myself relax into his chest for a moment. I could take care of myself. But damn did it feel amazing to have Chance’s support. Even more so because he had a very pressing problem waiting for him in his SUV.

“Physically I feel a lot better,” I told him. “My stomach just needed to empty itself. I’ll be at work.” I nearly asked him if he was doing okay, but I knew he wasn’t, so I held the question in. “We’ll get her through this, Chance.”

“Keep telling me that.” He kissed my forehead, then ended the hug. “See you at work.”

Chapter Twenty-Three

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