Page 5 of Curvy Girl and the Bad Boy Cowboy

"My brothers did it," Ethan says stubbornly. "Vincent's been raising Lucy, and Cole's stepped up for Luisa's kid. Hell, even Aaron seems to be handling the idea of starting a family with Elena."

"They're different," I point out. "They're—"

"What? More responsible? More grown-up?" There's an edge to his voice now. "Everyone thinks they know exactly who I am. Party boy Ethan, can't be trusted with anything important. But this is different. This is my child."

The way he says "my child" sends an unexpected warmth through me, even as my logical side remains unconvinced.

"And what would this look like, exactly?" I ask. "Us, co-parenting? You living your life, me living mine, and shuffling a baby back and forth between houses?"

"I don't know," he admits. "I haven't figured out all the details."

"There are a lot of details to figure out," I say softly.

Jackson clears his throat.

"It's late. You both need time to process this." His gaze shifts to me. "Do you have a safe way to get home?"

"I drove here," I tell him. "I'm completely sober."

"Good." He nods. "Ethan, we'll talk more in the morning."

But Ethan's attention is still entirely on me, his expression both terrified and determined. "Tomorrow. The bakery. I'll be there."

"Okay," I agree, gathering my purse from where I'd set it on the couch. "Around two? That's when the lunch rush usually ends."

He nods once, firmly. "I'll be there."

As I walk toward the door, I feel his eyes following me. I turn back one last time before stepping outside.

"Ethan? For what it's worth, I didn't expect this reaction."

A small, sad smile touches his lips. "Maybe no one knows me as well as they think they do."

The night air hits my face as I step onto the porch, cool and grounding. Behind me, I can hear the brothers' voices rising and falling, though I can't make out the words. I place a hand on my still-mostly-flat stomach, wondering if the tiny life inside can feel my uncertainty, my hope, my fear.

For the first time in weeks, I feel like I'm not carrying this burden completely alone. Ethan's declaration might be impulsive—perhaps even unrealistic—but it was genuine. I saw it in his eyes.

As I drive away from the Covington ranch, a strange thought surfaces in my mind: maybe Ethan Covington, the town's most unreliable guy, might surprise us all.

Maybe he'll even surprise himself.

Chapter 3 - Ethan

The door clicks shut behind Naomi, and the silence that follows feels deafening. Jackson watches me with an intensity that makes me want to look away, but I force myself to meet his gaze.

"So," he finally says. "That happened."

"Yeah." My voice comes out hoarse. "That happened."

I sink deeper into the armchair, the reality of the situation crashing over me in waves. Four months pregnant. My child. I'm going to be a father.

"You said you'll be there for the kid," Jackson says carefully. "Did you mean that, or was that just something you said in the moment?"

"I meant it." The answer comes automatically, surprising even me with its certainty. "I'm not going to abandon my own kid."

Jackson sighs, moving to sit on the couch.

"Being a father isn't just about not abandoning them, Ethan. It's about being there. Really being there. Consistent. Reliable."

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