Page 72 of Sticking Out

“We need to talk.”

They both go pale, no doubt because I’m not only struggling to stand, I’m struggling to speak. “Come sit, Conner,” Mom says and guides me into the living room. I drop into a chair and Mom and Dad take the sofa across from me. I lean forward, brace my elbows on my knees as their warmth and comfort curls around me.

“What is it, son?” Dad asks.

I swallow, and pinch my eyes shut. When I open them again, I blurt out. “Alec had an affair a couple of years ago. I knew about it and said nothing. I just found out he has a son, and I’m the reason he died the day Dani lost her baby.”

27

Dani

I’m not normally so mopey, and I never sleep this much. I guess sleep helps me forget what’s really going on in my life. Honestly, I know I’m being selfish, acting like the entire world revolves around me, when I know it doesn’t. I just thought…I thought Conner was a man I could trust, a man I could have a future with. We’d waited so long for our happily ever after, and now, not only is that not going to happen, we’ve lost our friendship and that was the one thing we vowed never to mess up. Well, we certainly did that, especially after his last text message asking me to please talk to him, and me telling him to leave me alone, that I never wanted to see him again.

I roll over in bed and glance at the pretty pink pictures on the wall. It’s pathetic that I’m sleeping in one of Ava’s bunk beds, hiding out because I can’t face the world right now. I kick off the covers and listen to the sounds coming up from the kitchen. My sister is down there taking care of three kids, and well, now it’s more like four kids with the way I’m acting. This is ridiculous.

I push up and climb from the bed. A few steps take me to the window and I pull the curtains open and glance down at the street, half expecting to see Conner. He’d come by four days ago, after I spotted him at Summer’s, and I didn’t have it in me to talk to him. He called a couple of times, and then after my final text…silence. I guess he’s at least respecting my wishes.

How did I not know he had a child, and was seeing Summer behind my back? The man told me he loved me, for God’s sake. Then again, so did Alec, and I’m smart enough to know that was nothing but a lie, a hateful stunt to hurt his brother. What is wrong with the Birch men, and how did I get so entangled with both of them?

Out of nowhere, a sob catches in my throat, and my heart cracks just a little bit more. I glance down at my stomach. I can’t even get pregnant, yet everyone else around me has no trouble with it. I guess it just wasn’t meant to be, and in the end, I’m glad Conner and I didn’t procreate. What a mess that would have been when he already has a family and no way can you convince me that the boy isn’t his. They look exactly alike, and I’m keeping my distance. I am not a homewrecker.

Dressed in my sleep shorts and T-shirt, I step up to Ava’s small mirror and take in the dark circles under my eyes. I need to get myself together and get back to work. The last few days, Marley has been picking up the slack and driving the bus while I hid and felt sorry for myself. But no more. I need to get back into the real world and give Ava her room back.

I make a quick trip to the bathroom and clean myself up. Laughter rises up from downstairs and the sound of my sister’s kids always brings a smile to my face and a pang to my heart. She has everything I’ve ever wanted. Just like Conner had everything Alec ever wanted, which is the only reason he went after me.

But nope, onward and upward.

“Good morning,” I call out my voice chirpy as I enter the kitchen. My sister turns to me, her brows arched.

“Someone’s in a good mood this morning.” She eyes me, and I know she can see through the act I’m presenting. I don’t want my nieces and nephews picking up on my sadness, so I try to be happy around them.

Ava picks up a different crayon and continues with her drawing. “Aunt Dani, when can we go to Uncle Conner’s? I want to go swimming.”

Just hearing his name sends my brain into a spin. Rylee steps up and hands me a much-needed cup of coffee.

“Ava, we can go to the lake, or maybe we can go to Noah and Brighton’s resort and swim in the rooftop pool. I know you love that and you can play with Camryn and Tate.”

She claps her hands. “That will be fun.”

“I like playing with Tate,” Jack mumbles as he jams a spoonful of cereal into his already full mouth.

I take a couple drinks of coffee, and my sister gives me a sympathetic smile. “Are you okay?”

I nod. “I’m good. I’m going to pack up and head home. I need to get on with my life and I miss my dogs.” I snort out a laugh. “Maybe I should get a dog. That would be good company.”

“Yeah, better than becoming an old cat lady.”

“Who’s a cat lady?” Ava asks as she holds out the picture to me. “Look, Aunt Dani, I drew my family.” She points. “That’s you and Uncle Conner.”

Jack finishes his cereal and his spoon lands in his bowl with a clang. I jump, my nerves on edge. Rylee frowns at me. “Ava, why don’t you and Jack go play on the swings. Later we can all head out and get ice cream. It’s going to be a hot day, and maybe we can also go see the pups at Aunt Dani’s Airbnb.”

“Yay!” They both scream and dash outside. With a heavy heart I glance at sweet Brynn as she sleeps in her bassinette.

“How do you do it with three kids?” I half joke, wishing I had the same.

“It’s a juggle, but I love it.”

“I know you do. You’re a good mom.” I drop into the seat Ava just vacated and stare at the family picture—that contains Conner and me. A sob catches in my throat. Rylee drops down next to me and takes my hand.

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