Page 101 of Between Hate and Desire

I try to express what I’m feeling, knowing things are about to get intense, but I need him to know I appreciate him more than words can describe. So much has changed in the past three months, and admitting he’s been one of the best friends I’ve ever had has my heart racing.

“Anything, Lennon.” He squeezes before pulling back. “I’ll do anything for you. I’m not going anywhere. You, the baby, me. We’re gonna be a makeshift family, and I don’t care what anyone says about it.”

I smile at him calling us a family. “You know I’m overly emotional right now?” I laugh with tears in my eyes as my gaze drops to his mouth.

He laughs at my admission, then presses a sweet kiss on my forehead as if to seal his promise.

A knock on the door interrupts our moment. With minutes to spare before we have to leave, Hunter goes to answer it. Sophie and Maddie know we’re flying out today, so I doubt it’s them. It’s probably Liam or Mason. I’m still not sure if he’s told them or not.

Following him, Hunter opens the door, and my heart stops when I see it’s the girl who spent the weekend with him before Brandon died. The one who wore my damn shirt. Ugh.

“Jenna.” Hunter’s uneasy tone implies he’s just as surprised to see her as I am. “What’re you doing here?”

The girl has the nerve to scowl.

“You left me no choice, Hunter. I’ve been calling and texting you for weeks with no answer,” she says accusingly, and my mind goes back to those few times I saw him declining her calls. “We need to talk.Privately.” Her eyes flick to mine for a second before going back to Hunter.

He crosses his arms over his chest, not budging. “I don’t have time for this. We’re about to leave.”

“It’ll take two minutes,” she persists. “Alone.”

“She’s not going anywhere,” he snaps. “Whatever you need to say just say it because we have to go.”

“Alright, suit yourself.” She shrugs, shifting her body to just the right angle where I notice how tight her shirt fits.

Oh my God.

My breakfast threatens to come up when I see her swollen stomach.

“I’m pregnant.”

All the blood drains from my face as I stare at her bump that looks to be as big as mine. Hunter called us a family, and now…he’s having a baby. Withher.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

HUNTER

The wallsin the airport feel as if they’re closing in as Lennon and I enter. Though we’re only visiting Utah for a few days, we have enough luggage between the two of us to check bags as well as bring a carry-on. Hordes of people crowd around, and the line to the service counter is long as hell, but that’s typical on a Sunday before a holiday. It’s why we had to leave immediately after Jenna unexpectedly showed up at our door.

After Jenna announced she’s pregnant, which was obvious once I saw her stomach, she expected me to fall to my knees, excited and happy, but I refused to give her the attention she’s wanted from the very beginning.

Once Jenna left, Lennon closed up so tight, I couldn’t get through to her. I’d told her we were a family, that I’d be there for her and the baby no matter what, and then this clusterfuck happened. Last night, sleeping with Lennon in her bed was everything, and it felt so damn right. While I hate the circumstances that led us to this point, I’m happy I get to be the man to keep her safe and protect her.

We didn’t have time to talk about it, though I wanted to spill all my truths and explain how I knew Jenna’s baby wasn’t mine. It’s not an easy conversation to have, so I can’t just spit it out and expect things to go back to normal. The thought reminds me of Brandon and the insecurities my father instilled. I never felt good enough for him and definitely knew I wasn’t good enough for a woman like Lennon, which was why I never got between her and Brandon. I knew he was the better man for Lennon. He could give her everything she needed, give her a family, and now he’s not even here to be a part of it. I wish I could give her that family she craves, but I can’t give one to anyone, even if I wanted to.

On the drive to the airport, Lennon’s responses were short and to the point, so I got the hint and stopped talking. After the first time Jenna and I hooked up, I knew better than to continue seeing her, and it came back to bite me straight in the ass.

Stupid, stupid, stupid.

Once we make it through security, we walk toward our gate. Lennon stops for a quick bathroom break, and when she returns, I let out a huff.

“Are we going to talk about this?” I ask, her silence eating me alive.

When Lennon glances over, her blue eyes burn straight through me. “Talk about what?”

We’re standing in the middle of the airport as people pass us by. “About Jenna. About what happened at the apartment. You’re obviously upset.” Heat rushes through me when she clenches her jaw. I can almost see the wheels turning in her head as she contemplates what to say. She’s transparent, and I see every inch of her and hear the words she refuses to say. Part of me wants to pull her into my arms and tell her it’s not what she thinks, but now is not the time or place.

Eventually, she speaks. “I’m not upset. I have no right to be, Hunter. You’re a single guy. I’m just shocked, that’s all. You keep saying you’ll be there for me, but I feel like my fucked-up situation will hold you back from your own life and from being there for your baby. Hearing that news was a wake-up call for me.” Lennon shrugs. “I should be used to things drastically changing when I get too comfortable.” The sadness in her tone isn’t lost on me, and my heart lurches forward as I think of her and Brandon. They were living their happily ever after, and it was ripped away in a snap. I swallow hard, pushing down the thoughts of it, wishing things were different.

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