Page 40 of Embers in Our Past

“You know that if Rios knows, we need to get ahead of this, right? He’s got a big mouth, and he’ll tell people. I really want River to hear this from me before he hears it from anyone from the station.”

Abby nods and fully pulls away, leaning up against the counter again. The proximity feels like tiny impulses setting me off, and if she feels even a fraction of the same thing, I think she’s trying to stand farther away to keep anything from happening between us.

“I, uh, got an appointment with my obstetrician for tomorrow late morning. Are you able to make it?”

“Yeah, I don’t work until the day after next. Is it at that fertility doctor’s office or Dr. Amri’s office?” I got so used to her fertility doctor’s office that I can’t even remember the last time we saw her regular OB-GYN.

“It’s Dr. Amri. She will technically do the delivery if things are okay. Once we confirm the pregnancy looks good, then we can tell your brother. Also, Rios only bought me the test. He doesn’t know it was positive, so we have a little time. But I agree, if he sees you and you even look slightly gleeful, he’ll suspect something. Hopefully, he doesn’t say anything to Malloy.”

“And why the fuck would Malloy have something to say?” Now I see red and feel my molars grind.

“Calm down, Clay. I told you we are nothing more than friends. Actually, we’re like best friends.”

“You’re best friends with Malloy? You want me to believe you braid each other’s hair and shit?” I cross my arms and still can’t dispel this tension in my shoulders. Malloy just gives off the asshole vibes.

She rolls her eyes. “You can drop the alpha vibes, Clay. It’s unflattering. Malloy is really great. He’s been a wonderful friend, and we hang out all the time.”

She walks past me toward the door. I don’t know why, but that makes my blood boil. Before she reaches the front door, I grab her hand and pull her to me. Her intake of breath shows me she’s not as immune to me as she likes to pretend to be.

I pull her close, and we are mere inches from one another. I continue to walk her backward toward the front door, her back hitting the door. I bring my nose to her hair and inhale.

“You know, Abby, I think you know how much you drive me crazy talking about another man. And you like seeing me get all alpha male over you. That’s alright. Because no matter how much you fight it, I’ll know you’re carrying my child inside you.” I get really close to that sensitive area right below her earlobe, where I know all her senses take off. “Just remember one thing…”

She waits and then finally relents and answers with a simple, “Mmhm?”

“It’s a shame we won’t be living together because I hear those pregnancy hormones leave a woman quite thirsty.” I don’t touch her at all, but I breathe slightly on her neck, just enough to set her off and leave her wanting more. The moan I get in response has me smiling back when I pull away.

Her eyes are hooded when I stand up and move back a bit. When she finally realizes what just happened, she glares at me.

“Good night, Clay.” But there’s no kindness to her voice. I know I riled her up enough to leave her pissed off and wanting more.

I guess I’m going to have to pull a few tricks out of the River handbook now because Abby is fighting this attraction between us. I’m on a mission, and if there’s one thing I know for sure, I will have my family back before this baby arrives.

CHAPTER 15

Clay

I lostmy father when I was five years old. I don’t focus on that too often because he was taken from me in such a tragic way. I was robbed of his laughter and his love, but I don’t view my time on this earth as time where I’ve been unloved.

My mother and my brother have shown me the best kind of love. And for the short years I had my father, he showed me the truest form of what a father’s love should be. He loved my mother with all his heart. And he gave my brother and me the best parts of him.

He died in the North Tower on 9/11, and our lives forever changed that day. But he lives on within myself and my brother. I will carry on his legacy in my child. When I saw that little flutter on the ultrasound this morning, it felt like I saw a piece of my dad on that screen. It was as though all the steps I’ve taken in this life led to that moment.

Without hesitation, I grabbed Abby’s hand and squeezed. We both let the tears fall, knowing no matter what we did from that moment on, we would do it with that little baby in mind. That’s led me to this moment here.

I told Abby I needed to see my mother before telling River. At first, we had decided to have my brother and Kennedy stop by to let them know. But it only feels right that I see my mother first. I want to sit her down and let her know she will be a grandmother. Plus, I need to explain what’s going on with this complicated situation with Abby and me. I need have a conversation between my mother and me—alone.

Luckily, Abby didn’t protest. She felt a bit tired, so I dropped her off at her place, and she said she’d come to my apartment later to meet River and Kennedy. It felt strange after such a huge appointment to leave her behind at her apartment. I remember dreaming up a huge celebratory lunch or dinner after a possible positive pregnancy ultrasound. But today, we simply celebrated in the office, and then we went our separate ways. Everything is sort of going differently than expected. But I guess we are just doing everything the way we feel we have to this time around.

In reality, we are letting things be as natural as possible.

I pull up to my mom’s place and cut the engine. It’s cold, and my mom is nowhere to be found outside. I didn’t let her know I was coming, so I hope she’s even home.

I hop out of my truck, run to the front door, and ring the bell. I hear her movements inside and breathe a sigh of relief.

The moment she opens the door, I see the concern take over her features.

“Clay, everything okay? Is River alright?” I know my brother’s recent accident has left everyone on edge.

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