Page 38 of Zac

ChapterTwenty-Seven

Zac

My pulse is racing. I’m pissed and irritable, trying my damndest to rein it in.

“We never should have been doing this anyway.” Presley’s words feel like a kick in the stomach.

“Doing this?” We are always fucking going backwards. Like a game of tug-of-war and I hate the unknown. Nothing makes me angrier than an unnecessary battle.

“Yes, this,” she waves her hand between us, “this, sleeping with each other. Pretending to be something we aren’t, it was a mistake.”

“A mistake.” Irritation boils in my veins. I didn’t plan on showing up here today and fighting her on anything. But here we are and since it’s come this far, what is the point of backing down.

“It complicates things,” she adds.

“Because you are making it complicated.”

“No, you are.” She points at me. “I never asked you to show up and rescue us. I never asked you to swoop in and make everything okay. Sex, though it is amazing, it creates a bigger mess. Expectations are formed and in the end disappointment settles in. We should have kept it formal.”

“Are you fucking with me right now?”

“No.” She takes a deep breath. “I think we need to slow things down, take a step back. We are having this kid yes, but your responsibilities don’t kick in until after the birth. So for now, you go on doing you, and I’ll do me.”

Combing my fingers through my hair I tug hard on the ends.

“Go out have fun, because after the baby comes things will change. Though the ladies will love a single dad, so there is that to look forward to.”

I step back needing a little more space.

“Come on.” She pokes at my ribs and I take another step back. “I’m trying to keep things transparent here. You and me, it was fun, we had a good time. But I think we both know it would have blown up eventually.”

“You’re really something you know that.” I don’t miss the way he fists his hands at his sides. “My kid isn’t going to be a way for me to meet chicks. I can do that on my fucking own. But the thing is, I didn’t want any random girl, I fucking want you. But you’re too bullheaded to see a good thing even when it’s standing right in front of you. Judging me based off of all your past experiences. Comparing me to the assholes of your past that have fucked you over. News flash, Presley, I am not them.”

I yank open the bedroom door and start walking toward the living room when she follows behind.

“Call me when you wake the fuck up,” I say low enough to keep Grayson from hearing me. He doesn’t need to hear this shit. Frankly I’ve had enough myself. “Call me if you need anything for the baby.” I look back over my shoulder. “Or do you plan on denying me that too?”

I don’t wait for her to answer, I step out into the hallway and close the door behind me.

* * *

I’d filled my day with piercings and tattoos. I even had downtime to add a new eyebrow ring to my own and some shading to the design on my thigh.

Jace left around three, and Luna had taken the day off. For the most part it had been Oliver and Daxton here with me all day. I’d kept to myself, my mood wasn’t something that needed to be pushed on anyone else.

I cleaned my equipment, sterilized my room, and packed up everything a little after eight.

Saying a quick goodbye to the guys, I walked out and climbed into my truck. Part of me wanted to show up at the cafe and wait for Presley to get off work, but I’ll admit my ego kept me from turning that way. A guy could only take getting kicked so many times before it was time to stop making it so easy.

I force myself to leave my phone downstairs in order to keep from doing something stupid. Grabbing two beers, I take one to the shower, and the second one is waiting for me on my nightstand. Laying down, I prop up the pillows and grab the controller. Mindlessly flipping through the channels I pause when I find cartoons. The beer growing sour in my gut I toss the controller to the mattress and sit up, watching the animated characters on the screen.

Looking over the massive space I glance to the nightstand and see the notebook I’d been sketching out the plans to create bedrooms for the loft space.

My head once again plays with my emotions as I think of Grayson and what he may be doing over at Jace and Aurora’s place. Jealousy hits me thinking of him watching his favorites with Jace instead of me. All curled up at his side, laughing and calling him his best friend. Never thought having an almost four-year-old calling me his best bud would mean so much but it did.

No longer being able to fight the urges, I get up and make my way downstairs.

Finding my phone, I send Jace a text and shortly after I get a photo response. Grayson. You can barely see him due to the huge fluffy purple blanket Aurora has him cuddled up in. But what I can’t miss is the turtle he is holding securely to his chest. A turtle I bought him and had waiting for him in the fort the last time he came over.

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